Torquay · Devon

Extra bedroom and en-suite extensions in Torquay

An extra bedroom and en-suite extension is one of the most space-efficient ways to add bedrooms and living space to a house in Torquay, because the new floors share one set of foundations and one roof.

Torquay: the key facts for this kind of project.

Postcode districts
TQ1
County / area
Devon, England
Price region
South West England
Guide price
£57,500–£78,000 (£2,060–£2,780 per m²), plus £5,500–£11,000 for the en-suite
Approval route
It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall (counting any single-storey part) and stays 7 m from the rear boundary; otherwise it needs planning permission.
Nearest towns
Cockington (1.4 miles), Paignton (2.6 miles), Brixham (4.7 miles)
Distance to Plymouth
about 27.9 miles
First visit
Free, no obligation

About an extra bedroom and en-suite extension

An extra bedroom and en-suite extension is a two-storey extension planned around a new double bedroom with its own shower room on the first floor, with a ground-floor room below. It is one of the most effective ways to add space for a growing family. Nationwide's 2025 research linked adding a double bedroom and bathroom to a three-bed, one-bathroom house with value gains of up to 24%.

We cover Torquay (TQ1) and the places around it, including Cockington (1.4 miles), Paignton (2.6 miles) and Brixham.

What it costs in Torquay

Most of the cost of an extra bedroom and en-suite extension is set by its size and specification. For Torquay and the rest of South West England, our guide is £2,060–£2,780 per m² including VAT, so about £57,500–£78,000 (plus £5,500–£11,000 for the en-suite) for a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space). We'll give you a written design-stage price first, then a fixed build price once the drawings are agreed.

SpecPer m²A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space)
Essential£1,900–£2,560 per m²£53,000–£71,500
Standard£2,060–£2,780 per m²£57,500–£78,000
Premium£2,470–£3,340 per m²£69,000–£93,500

Planning and building regulations in Torquay

In England, an extra bedroom extension at the rear can be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays 7 m from the rear boundary. Upper side windows, including en-suite windows, must be obscure-glazed and non-opening below 1.7 m. Side or deeper designs need planning permission, costing £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026).

Approval in England: Householder planning application: £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026). Lawful development certificate: £274 (about £288 for applications from 8 December 2026). Councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation.

Building regulations: Building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end.

Design points for Torquay homes

Sound and privacy

Bedrooms above a kitchen or family room benefit from an insulated floor to reduce noise. Side-facing upstairs windows usually have to be obscure-glazed, so we place the main bedroom window to the rear and the en-suite window to the side where possible.

Escape window and fire safety

A new first-floor bedroom needs an escape window with a clear opening of at least 0.33 m², at least 450 mm wide and high, and the bottom no more than 1,100 mm above the floor, unless there is a protected route to the stairs. We design the windows to meet this.

How we'd run your project

  1. Measure and listen

    A visit to Torquay to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.

  2. Design and approvals

    We draw the extension and check it against the rules for England, then apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness, whichever fits.

  3. Engineer it

    Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and building control approval, all before anyone starts on site.

  4. On site

    One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.

Questions about extra bedroom and en-suite extensions in Torquay

Which postcodes do you cover around Torquay?

We cover Torquay (TQ1) and nearby places including Cockington, Paignton and Brixham, plus the rest of Devon. The first site visit is free.

How long does an extra bedroom and en-suite extension take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation), then 4 to 8 weeks of technical design, which can overlap. The build itself usually takes 14 to 20 weeks, longer for large or complex designs.

How much does an extra bedroom and en-suite extension cost in Torquay?

Our guide for South West England, which covers Torquay, is £2,060–£2,780 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) comes to about £57,500–£78,000 (plus £5,500–£11,000 for the en-suite). Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

How big should a new double bedroom be?

There is no legal minimum size for a bedroom in a house you own, so the test is whether it works. A comfortable double needs room for the bed with space to walk round it, wardrobes and a door that opens freely. We draw furniture on the plans so you can judge the space before anything is built.

Does an extra bedroom add value to my house?

It usually does, though not always by the full cost. Nationwide's 2025 research found that adding a double bedroom to a two-bed house was linked to about 13% higher value, and a double bedroom and bathroom on a three-bed, one-bathroom house up to 24%. Local ceiling prices still apply.

Nearby

We also cover places near Torquay, including:

Other extensions in Torquay

All two-storey extension services in Torquay · Extra bedroom and en-suite extensions across Devon

The quickest next step is a visit. We'll look at your house in Torquay and give you an honest view of the options.

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