Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing)
Building in Ealing: a local guide
Housing stock, planning and conservation notes, and indicative costs for extensions, lofts and renovations in Ealing, plus quotes from independent local builders.
Homes in Ealing
Ealing's housing is dominated by Victorian and Edwardian terraces and villas around Ealing Broadway, Hanwell and Northfields, with large areas of 1920s and 1930s semi-detached houses in Greenford, Perivale and Northolt.
Typical projects here
Side-return and rear extensions on terraces, hip-to-gable and rear dormer lofts on 1930s semis, and whole-house renovations.
Planning and conservation in Ealing
Planning and building control in this area are handled by Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing). Ealing has many conservation areas, and parts of the borough are covered by Article 4 directions. Garden-suburb streets such as Brentham have particularly detailed design controls. Before you design, check whether your property is in a conservation area, is listed or is covered by an Article 4 direction; these change what you can build without permission. Our guide to permitted development in London explains the national rules, and loft conversion regulations covers roof works.
Ealing's mix of period terraces and interwar semis means many projects can use permitted development, but conservation areas and Article 4 directions are common, so check before you design.
Typical building costs in Ealing
Building costs in Ealing typically follow outer London rates of about £2,500 to £3,500 per m² for standard residential work, with high specifications and tricky access at the upper end or above. Budget on top for professional fees (about 15%), consents and contingency (8–15%) and VAT at 20% on extensions and renovations. These are indicative industry ranges for 2026, not a quote; see our London cost guide or request fixed quotes from local builders.
Neighbourhoods in Ealing
Questions about building in Ealing
Can I request quotes from builders in Ealing?
Yes. Quote requests are accepted from anywhere in Ealing, including Ealing Broadway, Hanwell, Acton, Northfields, West Ealing, Southall, Greenford, Perivale, across London and the wider UK. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to up to 3 local builders who advertise with us.
Do I need planning permission for an extension in Ealing?
It depends on your property. Houses outside conservation areas may be able to use permitted development, while flats, conservation areas and Article 4 directions usually mean an application to Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing). A Lawful Development Certificate gives certainty.
Should I check a builder’s insurance?
We ask every builder who advertises with us to provide proof of current public liability insurance before they are listed. Always check each builder’s insurance, references, written quote and trade body membership yourself before work starts.
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Request quotes for your Ealing project
Tell us about your extension, loft or renovation anywhere in the UK. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to up to 3 independent builders who advertise with us, so they can contact you with quotes. We do not carry out building work ourselves.
- Free to use, no obligation
- Up to 3 builders, only with your consent
- Always check each builder’s insurance, references and written quote