HOUSE EXTENSIONS IN BOURNEMOUTH, POOLE & CHRISTCHURCH
High Trees Carpentry & Building specialises in residential house extensions across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and the New Forest. Whether you are creating a larger kitchen and family space, opening up the ground floor or adding much-needed living space, we manage the build carefully from the initial site visit through to completion.
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Led by Tom Stevens, with more than 25 years’ experience in carpentry and construction, our approach combines clear quotations, careful planning, tidy working practices and straightforward communication throughout the project.
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An extension involves far more than simply adding extra space. Structural alterations, foundations, roofing, insulation, heating, electrics, plumbing and finishes all need to be coordinated in the right order, while keeping disruption to your home as manageable as possible.
High Trees can manage the construction of your extension as one coordinated project, working from your architect’s or designer’s drawings and liaising with the structural engineer and specialist trades where required. Tom remains closely involved throughout the build, giving you a clear point of contact from the early stages through to completion.
A WELL-MANAGED HOUSE EXTENSION FROM START TO FINISH
TYPES OF HOUSE EXTENSIONS WE BUILD
Every property and family is different, so the right type of extension depends on the existing layout, available space, planning constraints and how you want to use your home. We build a range of residential extensions across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and the New Forest.
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Single-storey rear extensions
Ideal for creating larger kitchens, dining areas and open-plan family spaces.
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Side-return extensions
A useful way to make better use of narrow or underused space alongside the property.
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Double-storey extensions
Adding space across both floors, often creating additional bedrooms, bathrooms and improved ground-floor accommodation.
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Kitchen extensions
Designed around creating a larger, more practical kitchen and family area.
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Garage conversions and extensions
Converting or extending an existing garage to create additional living space, utility rooms, offices or bedrooms.
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Front and side extensions
Useful where the property layout and planning constraints allow additional space to be created at the front or side.
HOW WE MANAGE YOUR HOUSE EXTENSION
A successful extension depends on good preparation, clear communication and careful coordination of the different trades involved. Our aim is to make the construction process as organised and straightforward as possible from the initial enquiry through to completion.
1. INITIAL CONVERSATION
We discuss your plans, location, anticipated budget and timescale to establish whether the project is a good fit for High Trees.
2. SITE VISIT & DRAWINGS
Tom visits the property to understand the existing building, access and proposed works, and reviews the available architectural and structural information.
3. CLEAR QUOTATION
We prepare a written quotation setting out the scope of works, key allowances and exclusions so you can understand what has been included.
4. PRE-START PLANNING
Before work begins, we agree the programme, site arrangements, key decisions and payment schedule.
5. CONSTRUCTION & COMMUNICATION
Tom remains closely involved throughout the build, coordinating the trades and keeping you informed as the project progresses.
6. COMPLETION & HANDOVER
We work through completion and snagging in an organised way, with changes to the agreed scope discussed and priced as the project develops.
HOW MUCH DOES A HOUSE EXTENSION COST?
The cost of a house extension can vary considerably depending on its size, design, structural requirements, specification and the existing property. Ground conditions, access, glazing, kitchens, heating and the level of finish can all have a significant effect on the final cost.
For that reason, we prefer to understand the project properly rather than give a misleading square-metre figure. Where architectural and structural information is available, we can prepare a detailed quotation that clearly sets out the scope of work, allowances and exclusions.
If your project is still at an earlier design stage, we are also happy to discuss budget and buildability before everything is finalised. Early contractor input can help identify where money is best spent and reduce the risk of designing a project that later proves difficult to deliver within the available budget.
CLEAR SCOPE
We set out what is included in the quotation so you can understand what you are paying for.
REALISTIC ALLOWANCES
Where an item has not yet been selected or fully designed, allowances are identified rather than hidden within the price.
CHANGES AGREED
If the scope changes during construction, additional work is discussed and priced before proceeding wherever reasonably possible.
CAN YOU LIVE IN YOUR HOME DURING AN EXTENSION?
In many cases, yes. Whether you can remain in the property will depend on the scale of the work, which parts of the house are affected and whether essential facilities such as the kitchen, heating and bathrooms remain usable. We discuss this with you before work starts so you know what to expect and can plan around the more disruptive stages.
Where clients remain living in the property, we take particular care over site organisation, dust control, access and tidiness. We aim to keep working areas contained wherever practical and to communicate clearly about anything that is likely to affect your day-to-day use of the house.
TIDY WORKING
We keep the site organised and remove waste regularly so disruption is kept as manageable as possible.
CLEAR COMMUNICATION
We let you know when particularly noisy, dusty or disruptive work is planned so you can prepare in advance.
RESPECT FOR YOUR HOME
Where possible, we separate working areas from occupied parts of the property and take care around existing finishes and belongings.
PLANNING PERMISSION, BUILDING REGULATIONS & STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Some house extensions require planning permission, while others may be possible under permitted development rights. The requirements depend on the property, the size and position of the proposed extension and any local restrictions that apply.
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Building Regulations are separate from planning permission and normally apply to extension work. They cover areas such as structure, insulation, fire safety, drainage, ventilation and other technical requirements. Structural alterations may also require calculations and details from a structural engineer.
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High Trees is happy to work from drawings and specifications prepared by your architect, architectural designer or structural engineer. We can also provide practical buildability and budget input as the design develops, helping identify potential construction issues before work begins. Architectural and structural design responsibility remains with the relevant appointed designer or engineer.
ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
We review the proposed layout and construction information so the scope can be understood and priced properly.
STRUCTURAL INFORMATION
Where steels, openings or other structural alterations are involved, we work from the engineer’s calculations and details.
BUILDABILITY INPUT
Early involvement from the contractor can help identify practical issues, construction sequencing and potential cost implications before the design is finalised.
TRUSTED FOR RESIDENTIAL EXTENSION PROJECTS
Choosing a builder for an extension means trusting someone with both your home and a significant investment. We believe that trust has to be earned through the quality of the work, clear communication and the way the project is managed from start to finish.
“Excellent workmanship, friendly professional workers, great communication… Tom kept us informed during every stage of the build.”
Ground-floor & roof extension, Christchurch
This is the standard we aim to bring to every High Trees project — careful workmanship, organised construction and a clear point of contact throughout the build.
HOUSE EXTENSION FAQs
Do I need architectural drawings before contacting High Trees?
No. You can contact us while your project is still at an early stage. If drawings are already being prepared, we can review them from a construction, buildability and budgeting perspective. Architectural and structural design responsibility remains with the relevant designer or engineer.
When should I involve a builder in my extension project?
It can be useful to speak to a builder before the design is completely finalised. Early contractor input can highlight practical construction issues, access requirements and potential cost implications before too much design work has been completed.
How long does a house extension take to build?
This depends on the size and complexity of the extension, structural work involved, specification and existing property. Once the design and scope are sufficiently developed, we can discuss a realistic programme and the main stages of the build before work starts.
Will High Trees coordinate the different trades?
Yes. For projects where we are appointed as the main contractor, Tom coordinates the construction work and the specialist trades included within our agreed scope. The quotation will make clear what High Trees is responsible for and anything being arranged separately by the client.
How detailed will my quotation be?
We aim to provide a clear written quotation setting out the agreed scope of work, relevant allowances and exclusions. This gives both parties a clearer understanding of what has been included before construction begins.
What areas do you cover?
High Trees undertakes residential extension projects across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, the New Forest and surrounding areas.
PLANNING A HOUSE EXTENSION?
If you are considering a house extension in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, the New Forest or surrounding areas, get in touch to tell us a little about your plans. Whether you already have drawings or are still at an earlier stage, Tom will be happy to have an initial conversation about the project, likely next steps and whether High Trees could be the right fit.