Air conditioning for extensions and kitchen-diners across Essex
An extension in Southend-on-Sea with a roof lantern or large glazed doors can overheat quickly on a sunny afternoon. For a kitchen-diner in Southend-on-Sea, we place the indoor unit clear of the hob and plan the outdoor unit at the rear. Bright summers in the East of England mean solar gain through glass is usually the biggest load to design for.
Prices in Essex
For Essex, expect roughly £1,595 to £4,995 per space, VAT included, adjusted for typical East of England rates. The East of England is one of the dearer parts of the UK for trades, which shows in the range. The biggest variables are the pipe route, access for the outdoor unit and the state of the consumer unit, all of which the survey settles. On our East of England figures, the Large single option (one 5–7 kW unit for a large glazed space) is about £2,295–£3,195.
Single unit
One 3.5–5 kW unit for a medium extension.
Large single
One 5–7 kW unit for a large glazed space.
Twin units
Two indoor units on a multi-split for long or L-shaped spaces.
Guide prices show VAT at 20%. HMRC treats most fixed air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps installed in homes as energy-saving materials, zero-rated until 31 March 2027 when we supply and fit them. If your installation qualifies, your quote shows 0% VAT and a lower price. Servicing, repairs, cleaning and controls are charged at 20%.
Planning and permissions
Since 29 May 2025, England's permitted development rules allow larger outdoor units (up to 1.5 m³) and no longer require a 1 m gap to the boundary, provided the MCS 020(a) noise check is met. Listed buildings and pitched-roof installs still need permission.
The survey
The free survey is where the real price is set: room measurements, pipe and drain routes, electrical checks and the outdoor unit position, all written into your quote. A survey in Essex usually takes one to two hours. We measure the rooms, check the walls and the consumer unit, agree the outdoor unit position with you and photograph the pipe routes.
What is included
Included with air conditioning for extensions and kitchen-diners across Essex:
- Free survey with glazing and roof heat-gain check
- Handover of the remote or app
- One or two units sized for the whole space
- Pressure test, vacuum and commissioning
- Placement clear of the hob and oven
- Hidden routes during the build, or neat surface routes after
Towns in Essex
Pick your town for local details, or see every service in Essex.