Builders in Worthing

Worthing building services

Worthing's housing runs from Victorian and Edwardian houses near the town centre and seafront to the 1930s semis and bungalows that fill much of Durrington, Goring-by-Sea and the roads climbing towards the Downs. Newer estates on the edges of town add another layer. Many homeowners want more space without leaving an area they like, which is why extensions, loft conversions and garage conversions are the projects we hear about most often.

The 1930s semis are particularly well suited to this kind of work. Many sit on generous plots with room for a rear extension, and their hipped roofs are a common starting point for a hip-to-gable loft conversion that turns a cramped attic into a proper room. Where a house has an integral or attached garage that is mostly used for storage, converting it into a study, playroom or extra bedroom is often a simpler job than extending. Bungalows can also be extended into the roof, although the right approach depends on the roof shape and structure.

Whatever you are planning, you fill in one short form or call 01273 115520, and up to 3 checked local builders will be in touch to arrange a visit and a quote. Comparing three quotes for the same job is the clearest way to see what a fair price looks like for your house. The service is free and there is no obligation to go ahead.

Typical costs for Worthing homes

No cost guide we use publishes prices for Worthing itself, so these figures come from national and South East guides. Less.co.uk puts a mid range single storey extension in the South East at £1,900 to £2,900 per m², excluding VAT, professional fees and interior fit-out. For a hip-to-gable loft conversion on a semi, MyJobQuote gives £35,000 to £50,000 for an average-sized semi-detached house and £50,000 to £65,000 for a large one.

MyJobQuote puts an integral single garage conversion at £10,000 to £14,000 and an attached single garage at £10,000 to £20,000. These are guide figures only, and your quotes will reflect the size of the job, the specification and any surprises found once work starts. Our loft conversion cost guide and garage conversion cost guide compare figures from several sources.

Building control and planning fees in Worthing

Worthing and Lancing are covered by Adur and Worthing Councils, which publish building regulation charges effective from 1 April 2026. The plan, inspection and building notice charges include VAT at 20%. For an extension with an internal floor area of 15m² to 60m², the plan charge is £326.46 and the inspection charge £761.74, or £1,305.84 if you use a building notice instead. For a loft conversion on a one or two storey home of up to 100m², the plan charge is £377.58 and the inspection charge £881.03, with a building notice at £1,510.33.

Converting an integral garage into habitable rooms carries a plan charge of £205.21 and an inspection charge of £478.84, or £820.61 under a building notice. You can also use a private registered building control approver, who sets their own fee, and homes in Ferring and Angmering fall under Arun District Council, which publishes its own charges. If your project needs a householder planning application, GOV.UK sets the fee in England at £548 from 1 April 2026. Permission is never guaranteed, and the rules differ for flats, maisonettes, listed buildings and conservation areas, so read our extension planning permission guide and check with the council before you commit.