Kitchen extensions with bedrooms above in Wellingborough
Adding a kitchen extension with bedrooms above in Wellingborough gives you two new rooms stacked on one footprint. Here's how we'd approach it, what it typically costs and the rules that apply in England.
Before you start in Wellingborough, here's what applies.
- Postcode districts
- NN8 and NN29
- County / area
- Northamptonshire, England
- Price region
- East Midlands
- Guide price
- £55,000–£74,000 (£1,960–£2,650 per m²), kitchen units and worktops priced separately
- 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
- Rushden (4 miles), Kettering (6.7 miles), Northampton (8.8 miles)
- Distance to Northampton
- about 8.8 miles
- First visit
- Free, no obligation
About a kitchen extension with bedrooms above
A kitchen extension with bedrooms above is a two-storey extension designed so the ground floor becomes a larger, usually open-plan kitchen and dining space, with one or two bedrooms or a bathroom on the first floor. It is a natural fit for a two-storey rear extension. The key design issues are the steel beams that open up the house, glazing and ventilation.
We cover Wellingborough (NN8 and NN29) and the places around it, including Rushden (4.0 miles), Kettering (6.7 miles) and Northampton.
What it costs in Wellingborough
Using our East Midlands rates, a kitchen extension with bedrooms above with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) comes to about £55,000–£74,000 (kitchen units and worktops priced separately), including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.
| Spec | Per m² | A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £1,800–£2,430 per m² | £50,500–£68,000 |
| Standard | £1,960–£2,650 per m² | £55,000–£74,000 |
| Premium | £2,350–£3,180 per m² | £66,000–£89,000 |
Planning and building regulations in Wellingborough
In England, a two-storey rear kitchen extension can be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the rear wall of the original house and stays at least 7 m from the rear boundary, with matching materials and roof pitch, outside protected areas. No balconies are allowed. 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 Wellingborough homes
Glazing and the Part L 25% rule
In England, new windows, roof lights and glazed doors in an extension are normally limited to 25% of the extension's floor area plus the area of any windows or doors removed. Larger glazing is possible, but needs SAP or compensating calculations, so we plan the rear doors around this from the start.
Steel beams and the open-plan opening
Removing the old rear wall to make one large room means a steel beam, sometimes several, to carry the first floor and roof. The engineer sizes the steel and its supports, and we decide early whether you want a flush ceiling with the beam hidden or a downstand, as this affects ceiling heights.
How we'd run your project
Look at the house
We start in Wellingborough with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Drawings and permission
Our designers produce plans and elevations, then we take care of planning or permitted development checks with the council covering Wellingborough.
Engineer it
Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and building control approval, all before anyone starts on site.
On site
One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.
Questions about kitchen extensions with bedrooms above in Wellingborough
Which postcodes do you cover around Wellingborough?
We cover Wellingborough (NN8 and NN29) and nearby places including Rushden, Kettering and Northampton, plus the rest of Northamptonshire. The first site visit is free.
Who handles building regulations for a project in Wellingborough?
We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in England: building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end. We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.
How long does a kitchen extension with bedrooms above 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.
Is it cheaper to build a kitchen extension and bedrooms at the same time?
Yes, in most cases. Building both floors at once means one set of foundations, one roof, one scaffold and one set of approvals. Adding a first floor later means removing the original roof, possibly strengthening the foundations and disrupting the kitchen again. If you think you will need the bedroom, build it now.
Can I keep using my kitchen during the build?
For part of it. The new structure can be built while your existing kitchen stays in use, but when the rear wall is opened and the new kitchen is fitted there will be several weeks without one. We plan when this happens and help you set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house.
Nearby
We also cover places near Wellingborough, including:
Other extensions in Wellingborough
All two-storey extension services in Wellingborough · Kitchen extensions with bedrooms above across Northamptonshire
The quickest next step is a visit. We'll look at your house in Wellingborough and give you an honest view of the options.