Extensions · Lofts · Renovations — Reading
Room to grow, built properly.
We build house extensions, loft conversions and full renovations across Reading and Berkshire. One point of contact from the first visit to the day you get your home back.
01 / What we build
Big projects, and the smaller jobs that lead to them.
Most of our work is extensions, lofts and renovations. We also take on knock-throughs, porches and garage conversions, because a good small job is how most families find their builder.
Structural renovation, propped- 01
House extensions
Single and two-storey rear and side extensions. Usually a bigger kitchen-diner that opens onto the garden.
- 02
Loft conversions
Dormer, hip-to-gable and rooflight lofts, with a proper staircase and the fire safety building control asks for.
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Whole-house renovations
Older homes stripped back and put right: layout changes, new floors, plastering and second fix, run as one job.
- 04
Knock-throughs & steel beams
Opening up a kitchen and dining room. Calculations from a structural engineer, props, steel and a clean finish.
- 05
Garage conversions
Turning the garage into a playroom, office or extra bedroom, with insulation, a new window and heating.
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Porches & smaller jobs
Porches, new openings, structural repairs and garden walls. Small jobs still get a written quote.
02 / From drawings to keys
The whole project, in plain words.
Planning and building control are the parts people worry about most. Tap each stage to see what happens, who does it and what we look after for you.
General guidance, not legal advice. Rules depend on your house and your council, so we check your project before anything is built.
Start your enquiry
What are you planning?
03 / How we quote
Three steps to a price you can check.
No pressure and no vague totals. You get a quote broken down line by line, so you can compare it fairly with anyone else's.
Call or send a WhatsApp
Tell us roughly what you have in mind. Photos of the space and any drawings help, but they're not essential.
Free site visit
We look at the house, the access and the ground, talk through options and say honestly if something won't work.
Itemised written quote
Every stage priced separately, with what's included, what's not and a realistic programme for the build.
On site
04 / Why Kestrel
The builder you'd recommend to a neighbour.
One person to call
The same contact from the first visit to handover. No chasing three different people for an answer.
Quotes you can read
Line by line, with what's included. Any change is agreed in writing before it happens.
A tidy, safe site
Materials stored neatly, paths kept clear and the site swept at the end of each day. You still live there.
Paperwork explained
Planning, building control and party wall notices, in plain English. You'll know what's needed and when.
05 / Where we work
Reading and the towns around it.
We keep our projects close to home, so we're on site every day and nearby if you need us after handover.
06 / Reviews
What our customers say about us.
Your Google reviews show here, word for word, with a link to your listing.
Google review goes here
Google review goes here
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07 / Questions
Things people ask us first.
Something else on your mind? Send us a WhatsApp and we'll answer it straight.
Do I need planning permission for an extension?
Not always. Many single-storey rear extensions and loft conversions count as permitted development, within limits on size, height and materials. Flats, listed buildings and conservation areas have different rules. If you want it in writing, the council can issue a Lawful Development Certificate.
What's the difference between planning and building control?
Planning is about whether you can build it: size, looks and the effect on neighbours. Building control is about how it's built: structure, fire safety, insulation and drainage. Most projects need building control sign-off even when they don't need planning permission.
Can we stay at home while the work is done?
Most families do. We plan the work so the house stays usable, keep the opening to the old house sealed for as long as we can, and agree the noisy days with you in advance.
Do you work with our architect?
Yes. We're happy to price from your drawings, or to suggest architects and structural engineers we've worked with if you're starting from scratch.
Will I need a party wall agreement?
If you're building on or near a shared wall or boundary, you may need to give your neighbours notice under the Party Wall Act. We'll tell you at the site visit if it's likely to apply.
08 / Get in touch
Let's talk about your project.
Call, WhatsApp or fill in the form. We'll arrange a free site visit at a time that suits you, including early evenings.