This practical guide examines the most cost-effective ways to add space to your home in 2025, comparing porches, single-storey extensions, double-storey extensions, and orangeries. We break down real costs, planning requirements, and return on investment to help you make the right choice for your budget and needs. Understanding these options will help you get the best value for your money and avoid costly mistakes.

Key topics covered:

  • Cost comparison of different extension types and what you actually get for your money
  • Planning permission requirements and when you need professional help
  • Return on investment and which extensions add the most property value
  • Why choosing the right builder is crucial for cost-effectiveness
  • Real-world examples and practical advice from experienced builders

Running out of space at home? You’re not alone. With house prices where they are, most families find it cheaper to extend than move. But with so many options available, how do you know which gives you the best bang for your buck?

After building extensions across Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, and Derbyshire for over a decade, we’ve seen every type of project. Here’s what actually works and what represents good value for money.

Moving vs Extending: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Before we talk extensions, let’s be realistic about the alternatives. Moving house is expensive. Stamp duty alone on a £300,000 house is £5,000. Add estate agent fees, solicitor costs, removal expenses, and all the other bits, and you’re looking at £15,000-£25,000 before you’ve even got the keys to somewhere bigger.

Then there’s the stress. Months of uncertainty, house chains falling through, and often ending up with a mortgage that stretches your budget to breaking point.

Compare that to extending your existing home. You know the area, the neighbours, the schools. You’re improving a property you already own rather than starting again somewhere else. Suddenly spending £50,000-£100,000 on a proper extension starts making sense.

Porches: Smart Solutions for Everyday Problems

A porch might seem like a small addition, but it solves real problems that busy families face every day. For £3,000-£6,000, a well-built porch gives you proper weather protection, organised storage for coats and shoes, and a welcoming entrance that makes your home look more finished.

Most porches under 3 square metres don’t need planning permission, and they’re usually exempt from building regulations if they’re under 30 square metres and separated from the house by an external door. A basic uPVC porch costs around £3,000-£4,500, whilst a proper brick porch with a pitched roof runs £9,000-£12,000.

Porches are perfect for families with young children who need somewhere to store muddy boots and wet coats. They’re brilliant for anyone who spends time gardening or walking, and they create a proper transition between outside and inside. The improvement to kerb appeal is immediate, and potential buyers always notice a well-designed entrance.

Single-Storey Extensions: Perfect for Open-Plan Living

Single-storey extensions excel when you want to create one fantastic living space that connects with your garden. They’re ideal for kitchen-diners, family rooms, or any space where you want lots of natural light and easy access outdoors.

At £2,200-£3,300 per square metre for good quality, a single-storey extension gives you the opportunity to create exactly the space your family needs. The beauty is in the simplicity – one level, straightforward construction, and the ability to install bi-fold doors that truly bring the garden indoors.

Under permitted development rights, you can extend 4 metres from the rear wall with a detached house, or 3 metres with other house types. The construction is relatively quick and straightforward, meaning less disruption to family life.

Single-storey extensions are perfect when you need one main living area, when you want maximum connection with your garden, or when you prefer to keep the project manageable in scope and budget.

Double-Storey Extensions: Maximum Space, Maximum Value

Double-storey extensions are the answer when you need multiple rooms and want the best value for your investment. At £1,800-£2,500 per square metre, you get twice the floor space while sharing foundation and roof costs across both levels.

The planning rules are more restrictive – 3 metres from the rear wall and 7 metres from the boundary – but what you get is transformative. Downstairs might house your dream kitchen-diner, whilst upstairs gives you an extra bedroom and bathroom. That’s potentially two major improvements to your home in one project.

Double-storey extensions work brilliantly when garden space is limited, when you need bedrooms as well as living space, or when you want to maximise the return on your investment. They’re perfect for growing families who need more space but don’t want to compromise their outdoor area.

Orangeries: Light-Filled Luxury

Orangeries create something special – spaces that feel connected to the garden whilst providing year-round comfort. The combination of solid walls and glazed lantern roofs floods the space with natural light whilst maintaining proper thermal performance.

At £30,000-£60,000, orangeries represent a premium approach to extending. They work beautifully as kitchen-diners, family rooms, or entertaining spaces where the connection with your garden is central to how you’ll use the room.

The solid wall construction provides better thermal performance than conservatories, whilst the glazed roof creates that special sense of being outdoors whilst remaining comfortable inside. They’re perfect for plots where you want to make the most of garden views, when creating a standout feature room, or when natural light is your top priority.

Orangeries suit families who love entertaining, those who want their kitchen to feel special, or anyone who values the unique atmosphere that only a well-designed orangery can provide.

What Actually Adds Value to Your Home

This is where it gets interesting. Not all extensions add value equally. Kitchen extensions typically add 5-10% to property value because everyone needs a decent kitchen. Add an extra bathroom and you’re looking at 6% additional value. An extra bedroom pushes property value up by 10-12%, but an extra bedroom with an ensuite can add 20-25%.

The key is understanding what buyers in your area actually want. In family areas, an extra bedroom usually trumps a bigger living room. In areas popular with young professionals, a fantastic kitchen-diner might be more valuable than an extra bedroom.

Location matters too. A £60,000 extension on a £200,000 house needs to add serious value to make sense financially. The same extension on a £400,000 house is a much safer bet.

The Hidden Costs That Kill Budgets

Every extension has costs that people forget about. Professional fees – architect, structural engineer, planning applications – easily add £5,000-£8,000 to any decent sized project. Building regulations approval, skip hire, scaffolding, temporary facilities for the builders – it all adds up.

Then there’s the fitting out. A new kitchen costs £8,000-£25,000 depending on spec. Flooring throughout the new space and connecting areas runs £2,000-£6,000. Decorating, electrical work, plumbing connections – you can easily spend another £10,000-£15,000 on top of the basic build cost.

The biggest mistake people make is budgeting for the shell and forgetting everything else. Always add 15-20% contingency for unexpected issues, because every job has them.

Why the Builder Matters More Than the Price

We see too many people choose builders based purely on price, and it always ends badly. The cheapest quote usually becomes the most expensive project because corners get cut, problems get ignored, and you end up paying twice to get it fixed properly.

A good builder costs more upfront but delivers proper planning compliance, quality materials, professional finish, and support when issues arise. A bad builder leaves you with building control problems, poor workmanship, and potentially unsafe construction.

Check previous work, get references, make sure they’re properly insured. A few thousand extra upfront for the right builder saves you tens of thousands in problems later.

Getting the Best Value for Your Money

Think about how you actually live and what space you really need. Don’t just copy what the neighbours did – their family might be completely different from yours.

Consider the long-term too. An extra bedroom has more lasting value than a bigger living room. A downstairs toilet is incredibly useful as you get older. Good storage might not be glamorous, but it makes daily life much easier.

Get proper drawings done even if you don’t need planning permission. It costs a bit more upfront but prevents expensive mistakes and changes during construction.

Making the Right Choice for Your Situation

The most cost-effective extension isn’t always the cheapest. It’s the one that meets your family’s needs, fits your budget properly, adds appropriate value to your property, and gets built right the first time.

For most families, double-storey extensions offer the best value because you get maximum space for your money. Single-storey works well when you need one main room or want to keep things simple. Orangeries are great for specific situations but aren’t automatically better than a well-designed extension.

Porches might seem small, but for busy families they solve real problems and don’t break the bank.

The Rosebrick Approach

We’ve been building extensions across Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, and Derbyshire since 2014. We’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and what gives families the best value for their money.

Our design and build service means you deal with one team from start to finish. We handle planning applications, building regulations, and all the coordination. No passing responsibility, no excuses.

We price fairly and build properly. Our customers recommend us because we deliver what we promise, on time and on budget. Whether you need a £4,000 porch or a £120,000 double-storey extension, we give you honest advice about what makes sense for your situation.

Every family is different, and the best extension for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and property. We’ll help you work out what gives you the best return on investment and builds it properly the first time.

Ready to explore your options in Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, or Derbyshire? Get a FREE quote from Rosebrick Developments today!