Home Extension Contractors in Brighton
Safe-Bricks provides complete home extension construction services across Brighton and Hove, managing the building work required to create new living space and integrate it properly with the existing property.
Extensions can involve far more than constructing additional walls and a roof. Structural alterations, foundations, insulation, drainage, heating, electrics, plastering, flooring and the junction between the new and existing building all need to work together.
We manage these elements as one coordinated construction project.
Home Extensions in Brighton and Hove
A well-designed extension can provide additional space while improving how the existing property functions.
Common projects can include:
- Rear extensions
- Side-return extensions
- Kitchen extensions
- Dining and family-room extensions
- Utility-room extensions
- Ground-floor reconfiguration
- Enlarged kitchen and living areas
- Extensions forming part of wider property renovations
The construction specification depends on the design, existing building and planning and Building Regulations requirements for the individual project.
Complete Extension Construction
Safe-Bricks can undertake and coordinate the principal building work associated with residential extensions.
Depending on the project, this may include:
- Site preparation
- Excavation
- Foundations
- Drainage alterations
- New masonry
- Structural steelwork
- Forming openings through existing walls
- Roof construction
- Insulation
- Windows and external doors
- Internal partitions
- Plumbing
- Heating
- Electrical work
- Plastering
- Flooring
- Kitchen preparation or installation
- Decorating
- External making good
- Final finishing
The exact scope is agreed around the approved design and specification.
Integrating an Extension With the Existing House
One of the most important parts of an extension is the junction between the new construction and the existing building.
This is particularly relevant in Brighton and Hove, where many houses contain older solid-wall construction.
Potential interfaces can include:
- Modern cavity walls meeting historic solid masonry
- New foundations adjoining older foundations
- Steelwork supported by existing walls
- New plaster meeting historic lime plaster
- New floors meeting older suspended or solid floors
- Modern insulation adjoining traditional masonry
- New render meeting older external finishes
- Roof structures connecting to existing walls
These areas need to be detailed according to the actual construction rather than treated as simple cosmetic junctions.
Extensions to Older Brighton Properties
Safe-Bricks has particular experience working with older Brighton and Hove buildings containing materials such as:
- Bungaroosh
- Flint
- Soft brick
- Lime mortar
- Mixed solid masonry
- Lime render
- Lime plaster
Where an extension requires new openings through these walls or structural support from the existing building, identifying the construction becomes especially important.
Bungaroosh, for example, can vary significantly in strength and composition and should not simply be assumed to behave like modern uniform masonry.
Structural Alterations
Many extensions require substantial alterations to the existing house to create an open connection with the new space.
This can include:
- Removing sections of external wall
- Enlarging existing openings
- Forming new openings
- Installing structural steelwork
- Supporting existing floors or walls
- Creating new doorways
- Altering internal partitions
Where structural design is required, the work should be carried out in accordance with an appropriate engineer's specification.
The condition and construction of the existing supporting walls should also be understood before structural work begins.
Foundations
The required foundation solution depends on the site, proposed extension and existing conditions.
Relevant factors may include:
- Ground conditions
- Nearby structures
- Existing foundations
- Drainage
- Trees
- Changes in level
- Extension size
- Structural design
The foundation specification should follow the approved design and site conditions rather than relying on an assumed standard depth.
Drainage
Extensions can affect existing drainage routes.
Depending on the design, work may include:
- Relocating drainage
- Altering soil or waste pipes
- New connections
- Moving inspection chambers where permitted
- Rainwater drainage
- New kitchen or utility connections
- Coordination with foundation construction
Drainage should be considered early in the project because existing pipes can influence foundation and floor layouts.
Insulation and Thermal Performance
New extension construction must meet relevant thermal-performance requirements.
The specification can include insulation to:
- Floors
- External walls
- Roofs
- Glazing
- Doors
Particular attention is required where new insulated construction meets the existing property.
A new extension can be constructed to a modern thermal standard while the adjoining original building may have very different wall and floor construction.
These differences need to be recognised at the design and finishing stages.
Roofing
The roof design depends on the extension and architectural specification.
Potential solutions can include:
- Pitched roofs
- Flat roofs
- Rooflights
- Lanterns
- Glazed elements
- Parapet details
Important considerations include:
- Weathering
- Drainage
- Insulation
- Junctions with the existing building
- Flashings
- Roof outlets
- Falls
- Internal ceiling design
Roof junctions should be properly resolved before internal finishes are completed.
Windows and Doors
Extensions often use larger areas of glazing to improve light and access to the garden.
This may include:
- Sliding doors
- Bifold doors
- French doors
- Large fixed glazing
- Rooflights
- Standard windows
The size and position of openings can affect the structural design and thermal performance of the extension.
Kitchens and Open-Plan Extensions
Many rear and side-return extensions are constructed specifically to create a larger kitchen and living area.
Safe-Bricks can coordinate the building work with the kitchen project, including:
- Structural alterations
- Plumbing
- Electrical work
- Heating
- Floor preparation
- Plastering
- Kitchen installation
- Decorating
- Final finishes
Planning the kitchen services before the structural and first-fix stages can reduce later alterations.
Plastering and Internal Finishes
Once the structural and service work is complete, the new extension can be prepared for finishing.
Work may include:
- Plasterboarding
- Plastering
- Making good into the existing house
- Ceiling finishes
- Skirting boards
- Internal doors
- Flooring
- Decorating
Where new work joins existing traditional walls, the appropriate plaster specification can differ between the new and original construction.
Moisture at New and Existing Wall Junctions
The junction between a new extension and an older building requires careful consideration.
Problems should not be attributed automatically to a single cause.
Moisture around an extension can potentially relate to:
- Rainwater detailing
- Roof junctions
- Flashings
- External ground levels
- Drainage
- Condensation
- Insulation discontinuities
- Existing defects in the original wall
- Inappropriate previous finishes
The source should be investigated before remedial work is specified.
Where the existing building contains solid traditional masonry, the new extension should not simply conceal unresolved defects in the original wall.
Planning Permission
Whether planning permission is required depends on the size, location and design of the extension, together with the individual property.
Some extensions may fall within permitted development rights, while others require a full planning application.
Restrictions can also be affected by:
- Previous alterations
- Conservation areas
- Listed-building status
- Property-specific planning conditions
- Proposed height and projection
- Relationship with neighbouring properties
The planning position should be established before construction begins.
Building Regulations
Home extensions normally involve Building Regulations requirements covering matters such as:
- Structure
- Foundations
- Fire safety
- Insulation
- Ventilation
- Drainage
- Electrical installations
- Glazing
- Access
- Thermal performance
Safe-Bricks can carry out the construction work in accordance with the approved design and coordinate the build around required inspections.
Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
Brighton and Hove contain many listed buildings and conservation areas.
Extensions affecting these properties may require additional permissions and more careful consideration of:
- Materials
- External appearance
- Historic fabric
- Window and door design
- Roof form
- Render and masonry finishes
- Junctions with the original building
Listed Building Consent may be required in addition to normal planning or Building Regulations approvals.
The required permissions should be established before work begins.
Extensions as Part of a Wider Renovation
A home extension often forms part of a larger refurbishment.
Safe-Bricks can coordinate associated work including:
- Kitchen renovations
- Bathroom renovations
- Plastering
- Painting and decorating
- Structural alterations
- Bungaroosh repairs
- Lime plastering
- Lime rendering
- Flooring
- Internal reconfiguration
Planning a Home Extension in Brighton?
If you are considering an extension, send Safe-Bricks:
- Existing architectural drawings if available
- Planning drawings
- Structural drawings
- Photographs of the proposed extension area
- Photographs of the corresponding internal rooms
- Details of the intended use
- Any kitchen or bathroom layouts
- Information about known structural or damp problems
If drawings have not yet been prepared, photographs and a description of what you want to achieve can still help us understand the project.
From there, we can determine whether the next stage should be a site inspection and detailed quotation.
Not sure where to start?
Send us photographs of the area of concern. It is the most straightforward first step — we will look at what you can see and advise on the appropriate next steps.