Builders in Hove
Hove has some of the most varied housing on the Sussex coast, from period terraces and villas near the seafront to inter-war semis further inland. Tell us about your project and we will put you in touch with up to 3 checked local builders for free, no obligation quotes.
Hove's housing and the work it tends to need
Much of central Hove was built in the Victorian and Edwardian periods, and many of its larger terraced and semi-detached houses were later divided into flats. Further from the seafront, areas such as Hangleton, West Blatchington and Hove Park have a good deal of inter-war and post-war housing, including semis and bungalows. Owners of period houses often want a loft room or a rear kitchen extension, while owners of later semis tend to look at side extensions and garage conversions. Whatever the house, the first useful question is what you are allowed to build, and that depends on the type of property and where it sits.
Is your home a house or a flat
This point matters more in Hove than in many Sussex towns because so many period buildings have been converted. Permitted development rights, which allow some extensions without a planning application, apply to houses only, and the Planning Portal states that they do not cover flats, maisonettes or some converted houses. If you own a flat in a converted villa, you will normally need planning permission for an extension or a change to the roof. GOV.UK sets the householder planning application fee in England at £548 for a single dwellinghouse from 1 April 2026.
If you own a whole house, permitted development can still be limited by a planning condition, by the house being in a conservation area, or by an Article 4 Direction, which GOV.UK guidance explains a council can use to remove particular rights. A lawful development certificate is not compulsory, but it gives you written confirmation before you build. The Planning Portal says one for a proposed use costs half the normal planning fee and that a decision is due within eight weeks.
Conservation areas and period features in Hove
Hove has several conservation areas covering parts of its older residential streets, and some of its houses are listed buildings. Under Planning Portal guidance, a conservation area counts as designated land, so all side extensions and any rear extension of more than one storey need householder planning permission, exterior cladding is not allowed, and roof extensions for a loft are not permitted development. Listed buildings need listed building consent for any alteration or extension that would affect their character, and the Planning Portal warns that doing such work without consent is a criminal offence. Check your address with Brighton and Hove City Council planning before you pay for drawings. Permission is never guaranteed, even for modest proposals.
Loft conversions in Hove terraces and semis
A loft room is a popular way to add a bedroom without giving up garden space, and many Victorian and Edwardian roofs can take one, although every roof needs checking by a builder or designer. Where permitted development applies, the Planning Portal limits the extra roof space to 40 cubic metres for a terraced house and 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses, including any earlier roof extensions. The work must not rise above the existing roof or extend beyond the roof slope on the main elevation facing a highway. A rear dormer is the usual approach on a terrace, while a hip to gable conversion often suits a semi with a hipped roof.
| Conversion type | Typical size | Estimated project cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velux | 20m² | £14,000 to £22,000 | MyJobQuote |
| Dormer | 30m² | £34,500 to £51,000 | MyJobQuote |
| Hip to gable | 30m² | £42,000 to £60,000 | MyJobQuote |
| Mansard | 30m² | £45,000 to £75,000 | MyJobQuote |
MyJobQuote does not say whether these figures include VAT, and they are UK figures rather than prices for Hove, so treat them as a starting point and rely on written quotes for your own home. Ask each builder to break down their price so you can see where the money goes. Our loft conversion cost guide compares figures from several sources.
Party walls on terraced and semi-detached streets
Because so many Hove homes share walls with their neighbours, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 often applies to building work here. GOV.UK guidance says a building owner must give adjoining owners notice of work covered by the Act, which includes work to an existing party wall, a new wall at the boundary and excavation near neighbouring foundations. For work to a party wall, the notice must be served at least two months before the planned start, and for excavation it is at least one month. The Act is separate from planning and building regulations, and getting one approval does not remove the need to deal with the others.
Getting quotes from builders in Hove
When you send us your project details, we pass them to up to 3 checked builders who work in Hove and the surrounding area, and they will be in touch to arrange quotes. The service is free and you are under no obligation to accept any quote. Comparing written quotes side by side makes it easier to see what each builder has included and what they have left out. You can read more on our extensions page, fill in the form or call 01273 115520.
Areas covered nearby
Building services we cover
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in Hove?+
It depends on your property. The Planning Portal says a house can usually build a single storey rear extension of up to three metres, or four metres for a detached house, under permitted development, provided it meets the other conditions. Flats and maisonettes do not have these rights, and conservation areas bring extra limits, so check with Brighton and Hove City Council before you start.
How much does building control cost in Hove?+
Building control charges vary by council and by the type and size of the work. Check Brighton and Hove City Council's building control pages for its current charges, or ask a private registered building control approver, who sets its own fee. GOV.UK confirms that you can use either route.
Can I convert the loft of a flat in Hove?+
It may be possible, but permitted development rights for loft conversions do not apply to flats, so you will normally need planning permission. If the building is split into flats, you are also likely to need agreement from the freeholder. A builder or designer can tell you whether the roof structure is suitable before you spend money on drawings.
Which areas around Hove do your builders cover?+
Builders in our network cover Hove and nearby areas such as Portslade, Aldrington, Hangleton and West Blatchington, as well as neighbouring [Brighton](/brighton/). Give us your postcode and we will look for builders who work in your area.
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.
- MyJobQuote: How much does a loft conversion cost in the UK? (2026), checked October 2026
- GOV.UK: Fees for planning applications in England from 1 April 2026, checked October 2026
- Planning Portal: Planning permission for extensions, checked October 2026
- Planning Portal: Planning permission for loft conversions, checked October 2026
- Planning Portal: Lawful development certificates, checked October 2026
- Planning Portal: Listed buildings, checked October 2026
- GOV.UK: Permitted development rights for householders, technical guidance, checked October 2026
- GOV.UK: The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 explanatory booklet, 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.