Many single-storey rear extensions fall under Permitted Development and don't need a full planning application, provided they stay within set size and height limits. This isn't guaranteed, though — it depends on your specific property, and some areas of Manchester sit under Article 4 directions that remove permitted development rights entirely. We check this for every property as part of the initial consultation, before any design work starts.

With a separate architect and builder, the architect designs to a brief without full visibility of build costs, and the builder then has to price and deliver someone else's design — which is where scope and budget disagreements usually start. A design and build company like Ventra does both under one contract, so the design is shaped around real, priced buildability from the first drawing, and one team is accountable for the result.

Cost depends heavily on size, specification, and structural complexity, so we give a detailed, itemised quote after the initial survey rather than a generic figure — get in touch for a free consultation and we'll price your specific project.

Timeline depends on the scope of work and how quickly approvals come through, and we set out a realistic schedule for your project before work starts, not after.

Yes — Building Regulations approval is managed as part of the process, alongside any planning permission the project needs. You're not left to coordinate approvals yourself between separate professionals.

In most extension and renovation projects, yes — work is typically contained to the area being built, and we agree access and any temporary disruption with you upfront. For larger full-property renovations it depends on scope, and we'll flag this clearly during the consultation if it applies to your project.