House Extensions Shirley
We are Federation of Master Builders members with over 20 years' experience. We deliver house extension projects throughout…
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We are Federation of Master Builders members with over 20 years' experience. We deliver house extension projects throughout Shirley and the surrounding West Midlands, including Solihull, Hall Green and Olton, handling the drawings, planning, building regulations and construction in-house.
Add space and value to your home with a bespoke house extension in Shirley
Shirley grew quickly through the 20th century as a commuter suburb serving Solihull and Birmingham, and it shows in the housing: mostly classic 1930s semi-detached homes, with pockets of earlier Edwardian semis around streets like Union Road. Both types were built for a different way of living, with narrower plots and smaller original kitchens than most households want today, which is where a well-planned extension makes the biggest difference.
We start with a consultation to look at your specific layout and work out how to open it up, whether that's extending to the rear to create an open-plan kitchen-diner, adding a side return, or reworking the ground floor to connect better with the garden. Because Shirley falls under Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council rather than Birmingham, we handle planning applications and building regulations with that authority directly, so there's no confusion over who to deal with.
From there we manage construction and finishing in-house, adapting standard 1930s semi layouts for modern open-plan living while keeping proportions and materials in keeping with the rest of the house. Quality materials and experienced tradespeople are non-negotiable, whatever the age of the property.
As an FMB-registered builder with over 20 years' experience, HK Builders Ltd has worked on plenty of Shirley's interwar semis and older properties alike, and we keep you informed at every stage of the build.
Extensions Tailored to Your Lifestyle
A standard 1930s semi in Shirley typically has a galley kitchen, separate dining room and a boxy rear reception, which worked well enough decades ago but rarely suits how people actually live now. We look at knocking through that layout to create a genuine open-plan kitchen-diner-family space, while keeping the structural changes sympathetic to the original build.
We also plan around the narrower plots common to this part of Shirley, working out where natural light, storage and garden access can realistically be improved without overcomplicating the design. Whether you want space for entertaining, a home office, or simply room for a growing family, the aim is an extension that solves the layout problems of the original house rather than just adding square footage onto the back of it.
A Smooth and Professional Build in Shirley
Extending a semi-detached property means working close to a shared boundary with your neighbour, so careful planning around party walls, access and working hours matters from day one. Our team coordinates every stage of the build, from groundwork and structural alterations through to final decoration, keeping disruption to a minimum on what's usually a fairly compact plot.
We liaise with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council on inspections and sign-offs as the project moves through building control, and keep you updated regularly so you're never left wondering what stage the work is at. We work with trusted suppliers and experienced tradespeople throughout to keep standards consistent.
By completion, you're left with a space that solves the original layout problems of your Shirley semi and is ready to use straight away, with no loose ends on regulations or finishing left to chase up afterwards.
Yes. HK Builders Ltd carries out single and double-storey house extensions for homeowners in Shirley, including rear, side and wrap-around extensions. As an FMB-registered builder with over 20 years' experience, we manage the project from design through to completion and offer a free, no-obligation quote.
Many single-storey rear extensions fall within permitted development rights and don't need full planning permission, provided they stay within set size and height limits — though a Lawful Development Certificate is still worth obtaining for your records. Larger extensions, side extensions, two-storey additions, and work on listed buildings or in conservation areas usually do require planning permission. Building regulations approval is needed for the structural work in either case. We can advise what applies to your Shirley property before you commit to a design.
A single-storey extension typically takes around 3 to 4 months from groundworks to completion, while a two-storey extension or a more complex build can take 6 months or longer. Timelines depend on the size of the extension, ground conditions, weather, and how much structural and services work is involved. We'll set out a realistic programme for your Shirley project as part of the quote.
There will be some disruption, particularly during groundworks and when connecting into the existing structure, but we plan projects to keep access, noise and mess to a minimum wherever possible and keep you updated throughout. We're happy to talk through what to expect for your specific Shirley extension before work begins.
