Local costs · London · September 2026
How much does an extension cost in Southwark?
A mid-range 25 m² single-storey extension in Southwark costs about £86,000 to £105,000 including VAT, or £3,400 to £4,200 per m² at London prices. Southwark’s own published charge for building control on a 10 to 40 m² extension is £1,472.75 (full plans, including VAT): the 3rd dearest of the 91 councils we checked, 75% above the typical council (£840). With a measured survey, building regulations drawings, a structural engineer, Southwark’s own building control charge and a 15% contingency, plan for £104,000 to £131,000.
Work out your project in Southwark
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Typical prices in Southwark
| Project | Building work | Budget to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-storey extension, 25 m² | £86,000 to £105,000 | £104,000 to £131,000 |
| Double-storey extension, 40 m² | £123,000 to £156,000 | £148,000 to £191,000 |
| Dormer loft conversion, 30 m² | £63,500 to £78,500 | £78,000 to £100,000 |
| Kitchen, medium | £10,600 to £18,800 | £12,200 to £21,500 |
| Bathroom refit | £7,300 to £10,900 | £8,300 to £12,500 |
Building prices in London run about 35% above the UK average outside London. Kitchens and bathrooms vary less from place to place than extensions and lofts.
Building control fees in Southwark
| Work | Charge |
|---|---|
| Extension up to 10 m² (full plans) | £1,472.75 |
| Extension 10 to 40 m² (full plans) | £1,472.75 |
| Larger extension, 40 to 60 m² (full plans) | £1,767.24 |
| Extension 10 to 40 m² (building notice) | £1,472.76 |
| Loft conversion up to 40 m² | £1,472.75 |
| Garage conversion | £952.92 |
Southwark’s own published charge for building control on a 10 to 40 m² extension is £1,472.75 (full plans, including VAT): the 3rd dearest of the 91 councils we checked, 75% above the typical council (£840). Source: Southwark’s building control charges. Schedule date: April 2026 (charges guide 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 Southwark compares with every council we checked.
Notes on Southwark’s schedule
Southwark publishes its own schedule for work costing under £50,000. Its bands are under 6 m² (£1,126.20), under 40 m² and 40 to 60 m², so a 10 m² extension is in the under 40 m² band. Loft conversions use the same charges as extensions.
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 London
Building control for a 10 to 40 m² extension:
- Havering: £859
- Harrow: £993.83
- Bromley: £1,008
- Richmond upon Thames: £1,069
- Wandsworth: £1,104
- Hillingdon: £1,122
- Redbridge: £1,320
- Islington: £1,584
- Camden: £1,875.55
Questions people ask
How much does an extension cost in Southwark?
A mid-range 25 m² single-storey extension in Southwark costs about £86,000 to £105,000 including VAT for the building work, or £3,400 to £4,200 per m², based on London prices reviewed in September 2026. With a measured survey, design, a structural engineer, Southwark’s own building control charge and a 15% contingency, plan for £104,000 to £131,000.
How much is building control in Southwark?
Southwark’s own published charge for full plans approval of a 10 to 40 m² extension is £1,472.75 (including VAT). Schedule date: April 2026 (charges guide April 2026).
How much does a loft conversion cost in Southwark?
A mid-range 30 m² dormer loft conversion in Southwark costs about £63,500 to £78,500 including VAT for the building work, and about £78,000 to £100,000 with fees, Southwark’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 Southwark? 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.