Local costs · West Midlands · September 2026
How much does an extension cost in Sandwell?
A mid-range 25 m² single-storey extension in Sandwell costs about £61,500 to £75,500 including VAT, or £2,500 to £3,000 per m² at West Midlands prices. Sandwell’s own published charge for building control on a 10 to 40 m² extension is £703.91 (full plans, including VAT): the 16th cheapest of the 91 councils we checked, 16% below the typical council (£840). With a measured survey, building regulations drawings, a structural engineer, Sandwell’s own building control charge and a 15% contingency, plan for £75,000 to £95,500.
Work out your project in Sandwell
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Typical prices in Sandwell
| Project | Building work | Budget to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-storey extension, 25 m² | £61,500 to £75,500 | £75,000 to £95,500 |
| Double-storey extension, 40 m² | £88,500 to £112,000 | £107,000 to £139,000 |
| Dormer loft conversion, 30 m² | £45,500 to £56,500 | £56,000 to £73,000 |
| Kitchen, medium | £8,900 to £15,800 | £10,200 to £18,100 |
| Bathroom refit | £5,900 to £8,800 | £6,800 to £10,200 |
Building prices in the West Midlands run about 3% below the UK average outside London. Kitchens and bathrooms vary less from place to place than extensions and lofts.
Building control fees in Sandwell
| Work | Charge |
|---|---|
| Extension up to 10 m² (full plans) | £516.25 |
| Extension 10 to 40 m² (full plans) | £703.91 |
| Larger extension, 40 to 100 m² (full plans) | £938.66 |
| Extension 10 to 40 m² (building notice) | £844.78 |
| Loft conversion up to 40 m² | £656.97 |
| Garage conversion | £422.48 |
Sandwell’s own published charge for building control on a 10 to 40 m² extension is £703.91 (full plans, including VAT): the 16th cheapest of the 91 councils we checked, 16% below the typical council (£840). Source: Sandwell’s building control charges. The charges apply from 1 April 2026. The charges include VAT.
Private building control firms (registered building control approvers) set their own prices and are often competitive, so it is worth asking one or two for a quote as well. See how Sandwell compares with every council we checked.
Notes on Sandwell’s schedule
Sandwell publishes its own schedule. The loft figure is for up to 50 m².
Planning
If your extension needs planning permission, a householder application in England costs £548. Many single-storey rear extensions are permitted development and need no application, and a lawful development certificate (£274) confirms it in writing.
Other councils in the West Midlands
Building control for a 10 to 40 m² extension:
- Walsall: £672
- Wolverhampton: £714
- Coventry: £750
- Solihull: £830
- Birmingham: £957
- Herefordshire: £960
- Stoke-on-Trent: £1,025.64
Questions people ask
How much does an extension cost in Sandwell?
A mid-range 25 m² single-storey extension in Sandwell costs about £61,500 to £75,500 including VAT for the building work, or £2,500 to £3,000 per m², based on West Midlands prices reviewed in September 2026. With a measured survey, design, a structural engineer, Sandwell’s own building control charge and a 15% contingency, plan for £75,000 to £95,500.
How much is building control in Sandwell?
Sandwell’s own published charge for full plans approval of a 10 to 40 m² extension is £703.91 (including VAT). The charges apply from 1 April 2026.
How much does a loft conversion cost in Sandwell?
A mid-range 30 m² dormer loft conversion in Sandwell costs about £45,500 to £56,500 including VAT for the building work, and about £56,000 to £73,000 with fees, Sandwell’s own building control charge and a 15% contingency.
Before you get quotes
- How to compare builders’ quotes line by line
- Plan your whole budget, including the costs people forget
- When quotes arrive, check each one against the typical range for your area
Work in Sandwell? Firm listings on Estiquote’s map of checked local firms open soon: see what you’ll need. Listing will be free while we build the map, with at least 30 days’ notice before any charge.