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You have seen a price per square metre online, multiplied it by the size you want, and you are now wondering whether that number means anything. Often it does not, because most per-square-metre prices leave out VAT, location and half of what goes into a finished room. Here is the guide price we work to on the timber frame extensions we build in Reading and Berkshire, what it covers, and what will move your final figure up or down. Typical timber extension build: 16m2 How much

You have settled on a timber frame extension, and now the paperwork question comes up. Does building in timber change what Building Control expects, and what do they check before signing it off? The short version is that timber frame follows the same Building Regulations as brick and block, but a few areas get extra attention because of how the frame is built. Here is what applies, what the inspector looks at and how approval works, from a team that builds timber frame extens

From solid roofs and smarter heating to garden offices, the nine trends changing how Britain builds and uses its extra rooms in 2026.

Ten verified figures on how Britain owns, heats, uses and extends its conservatories, with what each one means for your home.

Most garden structure ideas fall into one of eight types, and picking the wrong one is an expensive way to find out your new building sits empty from October to April. Below we run through all eight, what each one is best suited to, roughly what it costs, and whether you can use it through a British winter. We finish with the planning rules, because that is the part that catches people out. Garden Room in Berkshire built by K&S Bespoke Builds Garden structure ideas at a gla

This project is a narrow side return in Tilehurst, and narrow is exactly where timber frame earns its keep. We are recording each stage of the build here as it happens, starting with the demolition and the groundworks. Timber frame extension in progress Why timber frame on a narrow plot The walls do the work. A timber frame extension reaches the same structural performance and insulation values through a thinner wall build-up than brick and block, so more of the footprint e

The back of this Winnersh house had a set of French doors on one side and a window on the other, and neither was doing much for the room. The owners wanted the garden to feel like part of the house. That meant moving the opening, not just replacing what was already there. Window and door, before replacement The brief: reverse the openings and go wider The plan was straightforward to describe and rather less straightforward to build. We took out the existing window and the e

You have probably heard that timber frame is lighter than brick, so it is fair to wonder whether you can save on the groundwork, or even skip the foundations altogether. It is one of the first things people ask us. Here is the straight answer, why it is the answer, and what timber's lighter weight actually changes about the dig. Does a timber frame extension need footings? Yes, always. A timber frame extension needs proper foundations, exactly like a brick and block one. Th

You are weighing up an extension and wondering whether timber frame is actually any good, or just the cheaper option people reach for. It is a fair question, and the answer is not a simple thumbs up. Here is the honest verdict from people who build them: the real advantages, the genuine drawbacks, and when a timber frame extension is the right call for your home. Are timber frame extensions good? Yes. For most homeowners a timber frame extension is an excellent choice. It g

A timber frame extension is one of the quickest ways to add space to your home, and the obvious question is whether you can crack on without applying for planning permission. The good news is that many extensions do not need it. The rules, though, depend on the size, the height, where it sits on your plot and the type of property you own. Here is exactly when you can build without planning permission, and the approvals you will always need either way. Can you build a timber

You want more space, and before you get anywhere near a design, you need to decide how the extension gets built: timber frame or traditional brick and block. Both give you a solid, permanent room. Where they differ is speed, insulation, usable space, how they look and what they mean for planning. Here is how the two compare, based on the extensions we build around Reading and Berkshire. Timber frame vs brick extension: what is the difference? A timber frame extension is bui

A garden room or conservatory is a serious addition to a home, and a little regular care keeps it looking and performing like new for decades. We build every structure to last, but the finish you enjoy in year ten comes down to how it is looked after along the way. Here is how we recommend caring for yours, from the glass and frames to ventilation and seasonal checks. Garden Room installed in Reading by K&S Bespoke Builds What does garden room maintenance involve? Garden ro

You're planning an extension and the question hanging over everything is whether you can stay in the house while it's built. Moving out costs money. Staying put costs sanity. The right answer depends on what's being built, who's living there, and how realistic you're being about the disruption. Here's what we tell homeowners when they ask us, and where the honest line sits between "fine, stay" and "you'll hate every day of it". Can You Live in Your House While It's Being Ex

Short answer: don't try it. If you've landed on this page, there's a good chance you're staring up at a dirty conservatory roof and weighing up whether you can just hop up there to clean it, clear a few leaves, or chase down a leak. We'd strongly advise against it. Even a modern, solid conservatory roof puts you at real risk of serious injury and expensive damage if you climb on top, and the safer alternatives are quicker and cheaper than you might think. Here's what's actual

You open the conservatory door and three flies dive past your head. Or you walk in to find a dozen of them buzzing against the glass. Either way, it's irritating, and it doesn't take much for a conservatory to go from the nicest room in the house to the one you avoid. Here's why conservatories attract flies more than the rest of the house, the five most common reasons they're getting in, and what actually stops the problem rather than just covering it up. Why is my conservato

You've walked into the conservatory and there's a puddle on the tiles. Or the whole floor feels damp underfoot. Before you panic, the good news is most causes have an obvious source once you know what to look for. Here's how to diagnose where the water's coming from, what to do about each cause, and when it's time to call someone in. Why is my tiled conservatory floor wet? A wet tiled conservatory floor is almost always one of four things: condensation forming on cold tiles,

You've spotted some yellowing on the roof, the frames are looking tired, and you're wondering whether the conservatory has another decade in it or whether it's coming up to retirement. The honest answer depends less on the conservatory as a whole and more on which bit gives up first. Here's how long each part actually lasts, what affects the timeline, and when it's worth keeping things going. How long does a conservatory last? A well-built UK conservatory typically lasts 20-3

Mention a conservatory at a dinner party and someone will pull a face. The white uPVC, the green roof, the chairs nobody sits on. Fair enough - a lot of them look exactly like that. But the conservatory itself isn't the problem. It's usually two or three specific things that haven't aged well. Sort those, and the room comes back to life. Here's the honest version from people who replace and remove them every week. Modernised conservatory with new windows, doors, and solid til

You've got a conservatory you don't use. It's cold in winter, hot in summer, and you'd rather have the garden space back. The one thing stopping you is the worry that pulling it down will knock the value off your house. It's a sensible question. The short answer: sometimes, but usually not as much as you'd think, and often not at all. Here's how to tell which side of that line your conservatory falls on. Does removing a conservatory devalue a house? Removing a sound, well-fin

Old conservatories almost always end up the same way: too hot in summer, too cold in winter, and full of bikes and boxes. You stop using the room and start wondering whether to replace it altogether. You have more options than knocking it down, but some of the popular fixes do not solve the real problem. Here is what each option involves, what it fixes and roughly what it costs, based on the conservatories we upgrade and remove across Berkshire. Old conservatory with polycarb