Skip to Content

Extension Opportunity Feature FAQ


What are we doing? 

We’re testing an enhanced feature that provides home buyers and investors with information on a property’s extension potential.  

Why are we doing this? 

Buyers tell us that they want to know about a property’s extension opportunity and its potential impact on value, at the point of considering a purchase. 

What information will be shown? 

For an applicable local area (outcode), the following information will be shown for rear, side and loft extensions: 

  • Average build cost (excluding VAT) 
  • Average value added by an extension 
  • Average project length 
  • Average planning approval rate for the relevant local planning authority 

For a specific property, a planning approval confidence level will be provided indicating the likelihood that the property can add an extension. 

What if a property has low planning approval confidence? 

This will not be shown. A planning approval confidence level will only be shown for a specific property where the confidence of being able to add an extension to the property is ‘medium’ or ‘high’. 

Where does the planning approval information/data come from? 

The feature utilises data from Resi.co.uk. Planning data is calculated using the last 2 years of residential applications within the selected planning authority. Home extension data, such as build costs and project timelines, are calculated using approximately 9,000 architectural projects Resi has completed, and 23,500 builders’ quotes submitted via Resi’s platform. Planning approval confidence levels are not a guarantee of planning permission or structural feasibility. 

How can this feature benefit me? 

You can have more informed, data-backed conversations with buyers and investors about a property’s future potential.  

Where will I see the feature? 

You will see this feature in Rightmove’s Sold Price results where a relevant area has been searched. Where accessed from Sold Price results the feature will display planning information for the local area (outcode). 

You will also be able to access the feature from property details pages, underneath the map. When accessed from a property details page, the feature will show the planning information for the local area (outcode), as well as showing a planning approval confidence level for the specific property, if the confidence level is ‘medium’ or ‘high’. 

Initially, the feature will only appear on Rigthmoe.co.uk and will not appear on apps. 

When will I see the feature? 

You’ll see the feature begin to appear in Rightmove’s Sold Price results from early June. The feature will be accessible from property details pages from early July.  

Initially, we’ll be running a range of tests. This means that for a short while you may not see the feature whilst others do. 

What properties will the feature appear on? 

Property-specific planning approval confidence levels will only be provided for residential houses. They will NOT be provided for other types of properties, including land, garages, commercial, flats/apartments, barns, houseboats, lodges or log cabins. 

What areas will the feature be applied to? 

The feature will present planning approval information for the below London outcodes only and provide property-specific planning approval confidence levels for properties in these areas only. 

E4, E6, E7, E12, E13, E15, E16, E18, E20.

N1, N2, N4, N5, N6, N7, N8, N9, N10, N11, N13, N14, N15, N16, N17, N18, N19, N21, N22.

NW2, NW5, NW6, NW8, NW9, NW10.

SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, SE5, SE6, SE7, SE8, SE9, SE10, SE11, SE12, SE13, SE14, SE15, SE16, SE17, SE18, SE19, SE20, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24, SE25, SE26, SE27, SE28.

SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW19, SW20.

W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7, W8, W9, W10, W11, W12, W13, W14.

Can I see the property-specific planning approval confidence level before listing the property on Rightmove? 

It will only be possible to see the property-specific planning approval confidence level once a property is listed on Rightmove.  

Will the feature be rolled-out to other areas? 

We’ll be testing and learning. The future of the feature will depend on how it gets used by real people.  

Still have a question about the feature? 

Contact our Customer Experience Team here.