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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - Swanbourne Construction

General Questions

What areas does Swanbourne Construction cover in West Sussex?
Swanbourne Construction provides professional building services throughout West Sussex, with a primary focus on Bognor Regis, Chichester, and Arundel. We also serve surrounding areas including Aldwick, Felpham, Pagham, Nyetimber, Rose Green, North Bersted, South Bersted, Middleton-on-Sea, Elmer, Barnham, Yapton, Eastergate, Westergate, Littlehampton, and all villages within a 15-mile radius of Bognor Regis. Our local knowledge of West Sussex building regulations and planning requirements ensures smooth project delivery across the region.
Swanbourne Construction Ltd has been serving homeowners and businesses in West Sussex for over 20 years. Since our establishment, we’ve built a strong reputation for quality workmanship, reliable timekeeping, and exceptional customer service. Our two decades of experience means we’ve successfully completed hundreds of loft conversions, house extensions, and renovation projects throughout the region, giving us deep expertise in handling both straightforward and complex building challenges.

Yes, Swanbourne Construction Ltd is fully insured with comprehensive public liability insurance and
professional indemnity cover. All our tradespeople hold relevant qualifications and certifications, including
CSCS cards where applicable. We comply with all current building regulations and are familiar with local
planning requirements across West Sussex. We’re happy to provide copies of our insurance certificates and
qualifications upon request, and we always ensure our work meets or exceeds industry standards.

Yes, we offer completely free, no-obligation quotes for all building projects. Our process begins with either a phone consultation or a site visit to your property in Bognor Regis, Chichester, Arundel, or surrounding areas. During the consultation, we’ll discuss your requirements, assess the feasibility of your project, take measurements, and provide expert advice. We’ll then prepare a detailed written quote that breaks down costs, timelines, and specifications. There’s absolutely no pressure or obligation to proceed after receiving your quote.
Project start times vary depending on the scope of work and our current schedule. For smaller jobs like bathroom or kitchen installations, we can often begin within 2-4 weeks. Larger projects such as loft conversions or house extensions typically require 4-8 weeks’ notice due to planning, design, and materials ordering. However, we always aim to accommodate urgent requests where possible. Once we’ve provided your quote and you’ve accepted, we’ll agree on a start date that works for both parties and commit to beginning on schedule.

Loft Conversion Questions

How much does a loft conversion cost in Bognor Regis or Chichester?

Loft conversion costs in the Bognor Regis and Chichester areas typically range from £25,000 to £50,000,
depending on the type of conversion and finish quality. A basic velux loft conversion (using roof windows)
starts around £25,000-£35,000, while a dormer loft conversion with an extended roof structure ranges from
£35,000-£45,000. Hip-to-gable conversions for semi-detached or detached properties can cost £40,000-£50,000
or more. These prices include all structural work, insulation, electrics, plumbing, plastering, and basic finishes.
We provide detailed, itemized quotes so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Many loft conversions in West Sussex fall under Permitted Development Rights and don’t require full planning permission, provided they meet specific criteria: the conversion doesn’t exceed 40 cubic metres for terraced houses or 50 cubic metres for detached/semi-detached houses, materials match the existing house, no verandas or balconies are included, and the highest part doesn’t go beyond the existing roof plane. However, you will always need Building Regulations approval. If your property is in a conservation area or is a listed building, planning permission will be required. We can guide you through the planning process and help with applications if needed.
A typical loft conversion in Bognor Regis, Chichester, or Arundel takes between 6-10 weeks from start to finish. The timeline depends on the conversion type and complexity. A velux conversion with minimal structural changes usually takes 6-7 weeks, while a dormer or hip-to-gable conversion requiring more extensive structural work takes 8-10 weeks. This includes structural alterations, building the staircase, installing insulation, first-fix electrics and plumbing, plastering, second-fix work, and final decorating. We provide a detailed project schedule at the quote stage and keep you informed of progress throughout.
Most lofts can be converted, but there are key requirements. The loft needs sufficient head height (typically 2.2 metres minimum at the highest point), adequate floor space (usually 30 square metres minimum for a bedroom), and proper roof structure that can support the conversion. We assess roof pitch, existing joists, access points, and whether structural reinforcement is needed. Properties with very shallow roof pitches, extensive chimney stacks, or water tanks taking up significant space may face challenges, but we can often find solutions. During our free site visit, we’ll assess your loft’s suitability and explain what’s possible.
Converted loft spaces in Bognor Regis and Chichester homes are incredibly versatile. The most popular uses include additional bedrooms (master bedroom with en-suite, guest room, or children’s bedroom), home offices (increasingly popular for remote working), playrooms for children, hobby rooms, home gyms, home cinemas, or creative studios. We can design your loft conversion to include en-suite bathrooms, built-in storage, dormer windows for additional headroom, velux windows for natural light, and custom features like skylights or balconies (where permitted). The space adds significant value to your home while maximizing your existing footprint.

House Extension Questions

How much does a house extension cost in West Sussex?

House extension costs in West Sussex vary considerably based on size and specification. Single-storey rear
extensions typically cost £1,200-£2,000 per square metre, meaning a 20 square metre extension would cost
£24,000-£40,000. Two-storey extensions cost £1,500-£2,500 per square metre. A small kitchen extension (15-20
square metres) might cost £25,000-£40,000, while a larger open-plan kitchen-diner extension (30-40 square
metres) could cost £50,000-£80,000. These prices include groundwork, structural work, roofing, windows,
doors, electrics, plumbing, plastering, and basic finishes. Premium finishes, bi-fold doors, and complex designs
increase costs.

Many house extensions in Bognor Regis, Chichester, and Arundel fall under Permitted Development Rights, meaning full planning permission isn’t required if specific conditions are met. Single-storey rear extensions can extend up to 4 metres for detached houses or 3 metres for semi-detached/terraced houses. Two-storey extensions are more restricted. Extensions cannot exceed 50% of the original property’s land area, must not extend beyond the front wall, and should use matching or complementary materials. Properties in conservation areas, listed buildings, or designated areas have different rules. We assess your property and advise on planning requirements during our initial consultation.
House extension timelines depend on size and complexity. A single-storey rear extension typically takes 10-14 weeks from groundwork to completion. This includes excavation and foundations (1-2 weeks), building the structure and installing the roof (3-4 weeks), first-fix plumbing and electrics (1-2 weeks), plastering and secondfix work (2-3 weeks), and final finishes including flooring and decoration (2-3 weeks). Two-storey extensions take 14-20 weeks. Weather can impact timelines, particularly during groundwork and roofing phases. We provide detailed project schedules and update you regularly on progress throughout your extension build in West Sussex.
For most house extensions in Bognor Regis and Chichester, you won’t need to move out entirely. Single-storey rear extensions are typically built with minimal disruption to your daily life, though you’ll lose access to the area being extended and may experience some noise and dust. We take extensive precautions including dust barriers, temporary external access, and maintaining security. However, if your extension involves significant structural work to existing rooms, removing load-bearing walls, or extensive kitchen/bathroom work, you might want to arrange temporary alternative accommodation or plan the work during a holiday period. We discuss disruption management during planning.
Yes, matching existing materials is something we excel at with over 20 years of experience. We source bricks and roof tiles that closely match your existing property, which is particularly important for homes in Bognor Regis, Chichester, and Arundel where visual cohesion matters. For older properties, we can source reclaimed bricks or have new bricks specially treated to match weathered existing brickwork. Similarly, we match roof tiles, mortar colour, and pointing style. If exact matches aren’t available, we use complementary materials that blend naturally. Our goal is for your extension to look like an original part of your home, not an obvious addition.

Renovation and Building Work Questions

What does a full house renovation include?
A full house renovation by Swanbourne Construction encompasses every aspect of transforming your property. This includes stripping out old fixtures and fittings, removing and rebuilding internal walls to reconfigure layouts, installing new electrical wiring throughout, complete replumbing including heating systems, plastering all walls and ceilings, fitting new windows and doors, installing insulation for improved energy efficiency, new kitchen installation, complete bathroom fitting including tiling, new flooring throughout (wood, tile, or carpet), full decoration, and any necessary structural work. We manage the entire project from design to completion, coordinating all trades and ensuring building regulations compliance throughout your West Sussex renovation.
Full house refurbishment timelines vary based on property size and work scope. A typical 3-bedroom semidetached house in Bognor Regis or Chichester takes 8-12 weeks for a complete renovation. This breaks down as: strip-out and first fix (2-3 weeks), structural and building work (2-3 weeks), plastering and drying time (1-2 weeks), second fix electrics and plumbing (1-2 weeks), kitchen and bathroom installation (2-3 weeks), and final decoration and finishing (1-2 weeks). Larger properties or more extensive renovations take 12-16 weeks. Listed buildings or pro
Absolutely. Building regulations compliance is a crucial part of all our projects in West Sussex. We handle all building control applications and notifications, arrange required inspections at key stages (foundations, drainage, structural work, insulation, fire safety), ensure all work meets current regulations for structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency, and ventilation, liaise with building control officers, and provide you with completion certificates when work is finished. Our 20 years of experience means we’re thoroughly familiar with building regulations and local authority requirements across Bognor Regis, Chichester, and Arundel. You can trust that all work is fully compliant and certified.
Swanbourne Construction operates with a combination of our core team and trusted specialist subcontractors. Our core team handles all major building work, carpentry, and project management. For specialist trades like electrical work, plumbing, plastering, roofing, and tiling, we work with highly skilled, fully qualified tradespeople we’ve partnered with for many years across West Sussex. All subcontractors are fully insured, qualified, and carefully vetted. The benefit to you is expert work in every area, single-point accountability (we manage all trades), and consistent quality standards. You deal only with us throughout your project—we coordinate everything to ensure smooth, timely completion.
Unexpected issues occasionally arise during building work, particularly in older properties common around Bognor Regis and Chichester. If we discover problems like hidden rot, outdated wiring, structural issues, or damp that wasn’t apparent during initial surveys, we immediately inform you and stop work on the affected area. We then provide a detailed explanation of the issue, outline the necessary remedial work, provide transparent additional costs, and explain any timeline implications. We only proceed with your explicit approval. Our experience means we’re often able to anticipate potential issues during our initial assessment, minimizing surprises. We believe in complete transparency—no hidden costs or unexpected bills.

Ready to Start Your Building Project?

Contact Swanbourne Construction today for your free, no-obligation quote. With over 20 years of experience serving Bognor Regis, Chichester, Arundel, and throughout West Sussex, we’re your trusted local builders for loft conversions, house extensions, renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, and bespoke carpentry.
Contact Us Now!
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