A Guide for Families in Reigate, Crawley, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, and Horsham
If you live in Reigate or Crawley or any of the surrounding towns you know the struggle well. You absolutely love where you live. The schools in Horsham are brilliant. The countryside around Haywards Heath is stunning. The town centre in East Grinstead has everything you need. But as your family grows your house seems to shrink.
Every parent knows the feeling. The hallway is full of coats and shoes. The kitchen table is constantly covered in homework. You start tripping over toys that seem to multiply on their own.
Moving house is the obvious answer but it is very expensive. Between Stamp Duty and estate agent fees and the sheer stress of packing endless boxes moving can cost tens of thousands of pounds. That is money simply vanishing into thin air before you have even walked through the new front door.
That is why so many families are choosing to stay put and improve what they have. Whether you go out into the garden or up into the roof expanding your current footprint is often the smarter financial move. It is the most effective way to create a home that truly fits your life.
Here is how you can transform your property from cramped to comfortable with Shield Build.
Go Out: House Extensions
The most popular way to add serious square footage is to build outwards. In towns like Horsham or East Grinstead the large kitchen diner is the ultimate dream.
Old houses often have small and separate kitchens. They were built for a different time when cooking was a chore done in private. That simply does not work for modern family life. We want to cook and eat and chat all in the same space.
By adding a house extension you can knock through walls to create a large and open plan area. You can cook dinner while the children do their homework at the island. You can host friends without feeling shut away in a tiny galley kitchen. Since kitchens are often cited as the room that sells the house this is a prime strategy to add value to your property.
The Side Return Extension
If you live in a Victorian terrace which is very common in Reigate or parts of Crawley you might have a wasted strip of concrete down the side of your house. This is often where the bins live and nothing else.
A side return extension fills this gap. It sounds small but it can make your kitchen twice as wide without eating into your precious garden. It turns a narrow corridor into a proper square room.
The Rear Extension
This type of build extends the back of your house into the garden. Folding doors are a massive trend here for a good reason. They let you open the whole back wall in summer. Suddenly your garden feels like part of your living room. It is perfect for summer barbecues and letting fresh air flood the house.
Top Tip: Do not just add a box. Think carefully about natural light. Skylights or lantern roofs are windows that go on the ceiling. They stop your new big room from feeling gloomy in the darker winter months.
Go Up: Loft Conversions
If you do not want to lose any of your garden space the answer is above your head. Loft conversions are brilliant for creating a master suite. This is a big bedroom with its own bathroom. It is also great for creating extra bedrooms for teenagers who crave privacy.
Recent data suggests that for many homes going up is cheaper per square metre than going out. In our local area three main types work best.
Velux Conversion
This is the simplest option. You leave the roof shape alone and just add windows that lie flat against the tiles. It is perfect if your loft already has good headroom. It is quick to do and lets in lots of light.
Dormer Conversion
This is a box shaped extension that projects vertically from the slope of the roof. It might not look the prettiest from the outside but it transforms a cramped attic into a proper room. You get flat walls and full headroom. It makes the space feel like a normal bedroom rather than a tiny attic.
Hip to Gable
Many 1930s semi detached houses in places like Crawley or Horsham have a sloping roof on the side. This is called a hip roof. This conversion straightens that wall up vertically. It gives you a huge amount of extra floor space and usually allows for a proper staircase rather than a ladder.
The Financials: Adding Value
Extending is not just about making life easier today. It is a strategic investment. When you create functional space you add value to your home that pays off when it is eventually time to sell.
According to recent property market data a well executed loft conversion can increase your home value by up to twenty percent. To put that in perspective imagine you own a three bedroom home in Reigate or Horsham worth five hundred thousand pounds. A high quality loft conversion could potentially add one hundred thousand pounds to its value.
Extensions generally add value too. This is typically between ten and twenty percent depending on the size and finish. However be mindful of the ceiling price of your street.
Every street has a limit on what houses sell for. If you spend huge amounts on a glass box extension in a street where houses sell for a lower price you might not see that money back. Always check sold prices in your postcode before digging foundations.
The Magic Words: Permitted Development
The scariest part of building is often the paperwork. Everyone worries about the local council saying no to their plans. But here is the good news. You might not need full planning permission.
A lot of projects fall under something called Permitted Development. These are rights that the government gives homeowners to add value to their home without the long wait for planning approval.
You generally have Permitted Development rights if your plans fit certain rules. For example your rear extension must be less than four metres deep for a detached house. If you live in a semi detached or terraced house it must be less than three metres.
For a loft conversion you usually cannot add more than fifty cubic metres of space. This drops to forty cubic metres for terraced houses. You also must use materials that match the existing house. Your new bricks need to look like the old bricks.
Important Note: If you live in a Conservation Area like specific zones in Reigate or near the historic centre of East Grinstead these rights are stricter. Always check with your local council first.
Final Thoughts
Transforming your home takes time and money and a fair bit of dust. But the result is a house that actually works for your family. You get the space you need without leaving the friends and neighbours and schools you love.
So before you browse Rightmove look at your own loft or garden. The dream home might be the one you are already living in. It just needs a little bit of help to get there.
Want to Dig Deeper?
Planning a renovation involves a lot of moving parts. If you are not quite ready to quote yet why not explore our specific guides to help you prepare?
Curious about current costs? If you want to know the real costs of building in Reigate and Crawley and beyond right now, read our House Extension Breakdown 2025.
Worried about overspending? One of the biggest fears for homeowners is spiralling costs. Learn how to protect your wallet in our guide called Why Your Extension Budget Always Goes Over.
Thinking about the design details? Lighting is often an afterthought but it should be a priority. Find out why in Lighting Your Loft Conversion.
Ready to Start Your Extension Project?
Once you have done your reading and are ready to explore the potential of your property we are here to help you navigate the process from concept to completion.
Get in touch with us today for a free consultation and quote.
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