Builders in Chichester
Chichester's historic streets make careful planning part of almost every building project in the city. Tell us what you have in mind and we will put you in touch with up to 3 checked local builders for free, no obligation quotes.
Building work in a historic city
Chichester is a cathedral city with a compact historic centre, and its housing changes as you move outwards. Older buildings, many Georgian or earlier, cluster around the centre, while Victorian and Edwardian terraces, inter-war and post-war semis and newer estates fill the streets and villages beyond. Each type brings its own questions, from old brickwork and timber to the space available on a modern plot.
The city has a large conservation area and a great many listed buildings, so the first question is often what you are allowed to build. Check with Chichester District Council whether your home is in a conservation area or is listed before you commission drawings. Parts of the wider district also lie within the South Downs National Park, which can affect homes in the surrounding villages.
Conservation areas and listed buildings in Chichester
Conservation areas count as Article 2(3) designated land, and the Planning Portal says that on such land all side extensions and rear extensions of more than one storey need householder planning permission, and exterior cladding is not allowed. Permitted development roof extensions do not apply on Article 2(3) land either. Work that might be straightforward elsewhere in Sussex often needs a full application in parts of Chichester.
Listed buildings follow a separate regime. The Planning Portal says consent is needed to alter or extend a listed building in a manner which would affect its character, and that carrying out such work without listed building consent is a criminal offence. It also states that no application fee is required for listed building consent. Because the rules depend on the individual building and its setting, speak to Chichester District Council before any work starts.
Design work tends to cost more on sensitive buildings, and MyJobQuote says architects typically charge an extra 10% to 20% for listed buildings or conservation areas. Allow for that when you budget. Our extension planning permission guide explains the wider process.
What you may be able to build without planning permission
Outside protected areas, many houses have permitted development rights that allow some extensions without a planning application. These rights apply to houses only, not to flats or maisonettes, and they can be removed by a planning condition or an Article 4 Direction. The main limits the Planning Portal sets out for extensions are listed below.
- Extensions and other buildings can cover no more than half the land around the original house.
- A single storey rear extension can project up to four metres from the original rear wall of a detached house, or three metres for any other house, and must not exceed four metres in height.
- Side extensions must be single storey, no more than four metres high and up to half the width of the original house.
- A loft conversion can add up to 40 cubic metres of roof space on a terraced house, or 50 cubic metres on a detached or semi detached house.
These limits are a starting point rather than a guarantee. A lawful development certificate is optional, but it confirms a project is lawful and costs half the normal planning fee, according to the Planning Portal. Always check with your local planning authority before relying on permitted development.
Typical costs for builders in Chichester
No price guide we use gives figures for Chichester itself, so treat the national figures below as a guide. Quotes vary with the building, the specification and access. Homebuilding and Renovating publishes single storey extension costs per square metre by quality, and the planning fee is set by the government.
| Item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Single storey extension, standard quality | £2,200 to £2,500 per m² | Homebuilding and Renovating |
| Single storey extension, good quality | £2,500 to £2,900 per m² | Homebuilding and Renovating |
| Single storey extension, excellent quality | £2,900 to £3,300 per m² | Homebuilding and Renovating |
| Householder planning application, single dwellinghouse | £548 | GOV.UK, from 1 April 2026 |
Homebuilding and Renovating states that its main extension figures exclude VAT. Older or listed homes can add cost through specialist materials, careful detailing and the extra design time noted above. Our extension cost per m² guide compares several sources side by side.
Building regulations and inspection
Planning and building regulations are separate, and most extensions and conversions need building regulations approval whatever the planning position. GOV.UK says you can use the local authority or a private registered building control approver, and that a full plans application gets a decision within five weeks, or two months with your consent. Building control charges vary by council, so check the building control page of Chichester District Council for current figures, or ask a private registered approver for its own fee.
Getting quotes from local builders
Fill in our short form or call 01273 115520 and we will pass your project to up to 3 checked builders who work in and around Chichester. The service is free and there is no obligation to go ahead. We do not carry out building work ourselves; we connect homeowners with local firms. If your home is listed or in a conservation area, mention it so builders with relevant experience can respond.
Areas covered nearby
Building services we cover
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for an extension in a Chichester conservation area?+
Often, yes. The Planning Portal says that on Article 2(3) designated land, which includes conservation areas, all side extensions and rear extensions of more than one storey need householder planning permission. Check with Chichester District Council before you commission detailed drawings.
Is there a fee for listed building consent?+
The Planning Portal states that no application fee is required for listed building consent. You may still need a separate planning application for the same work, which carries its own fee. Ask Chichester District Council which consents your project needs.
How much does a householder planning application cost?+
GOV.UK sets the fee for a householder application for a single dwellinghouse in England at £548 from 1 April 2026. Applying online through the Planning Portal may add its own service charge. A lawful development certificate for a proposed use costs half the normal planning fee.
Do you do the building work yourselves?+
No. We put homeowners in touch with up to 3 checked local builders who quote for the work directly. The service is free and you are under no obligation to accept any quote.
Sources for the prices on this page
Prices are published UK averages and include labour. Every job is different, so the quotes you receive will reflect your own property, access and materials.
- Homebuilding and Renovating: How much does an extension cost in 2026?, checked October 2026
- GOV.UK: Fees for planning applications in England from 1 April 2026, checked October 2026
- MyJobQuote: How much does an architect cost?, checked October 2026
- Planning Portal: What it costs, checked October 2026
- Planning Portal: Listed buildings, checked October 2026
- Planning Portal: Extensions planning permission, checked October 2026
- Planning Portal: Lawful development certificates, checked October 2026
- GOV.UK: Building regulations approval, checked October 2026
Compare up to 3 free quotes
Tell us about the job and up to 3 checked local builders will be in touch with quotes. There is no charge and no obligation. Or call 01273 115520.