Updated 22 October 2026 · 41 new leads in the last 30 days
Construction Leads in Sunderland
Access construction leads in Sunderland by tracking newly submitted planning applications. See which homeowners and developers across the city are preparing extensions, loft conversions, and new builds, and get in touch before they begin shortlisting builders.
- New planning applications added frequently from Sunderland City Council
- Connect with homeowners at the early planning stage
- No shared enquiries or competitive bidding
Data sourced from Sunderland City Council planning records and refreshed regularly.
41
New Leads (30 Days)
£80,625
Average Project Value
8
High Value Projects
Over £100k
Extensions
Most Common Project
Construction Trends in Sunderland
Sunderland's construction market is being reshaped by Riverside Sunderland, a 33.2-hectare regeneration scheme on both banks of the River Wear aiming to become the UK's first carbon-neutral urban quarter. The scheme is targeting 1,000 new homes and housing for up to 2,500 residents, with projects including the Vaux site redevelopment and the Sheepfolds neighbourhood, backed by Homes England investment. Away from the riverside, Sunderland's suburbs, built up from its shipbuilding, coal mining, and glassmaking past, generate a steadier flow of extensions, loft conversions, and garage conversions on largely Victorian and post-war terraced housing. The city's National Glass Centre is a reminder of that industrial heritage, which still shapes the character of many older neighbourhoods.
Project Type Breakdown
Here's a breakdown of the most common types of construction projects in Sunderland over the past 30 days.
In Sunderland, Extensions are the most common project type, appearing in 26 of the 41 leads tracked in the last 30 days, with Heritages also showing consistent demand alongside Garage Conversions. Projects can fall into more than one category, so these figures don't need to add up to the total.
Most Active Architects and Planning Consultants in Sunderland
The architects and planning consultants submitting the most construction-related applications in Sunderland, based on recent planning records.
- 1A.M.WATT DESIGN
- 2cummings architects ltd
- 3Alexandra Architectural Design
- 4Alan Potter Surveying Limited
- 5Building Design Solutions (NE) Ltd.
- 6JDA Solutions
- 7Glasper Lee Design Ltd.
- 8Panda Design
- 9Mario Minchella Architects
- 10Bethell&Co
Project Value Insights
Understanding typical project values in Sunderland helps you prioritise the most profitable leads and manage your workload effectively. These ranges are a general guide to the scale of work involved. Individual project costs vary by design, specification, and site conditions.
- £25k-£50kSmall extensions, porches, and internal alterations
- £50k-£100kRear extensions and loft conversions
- £100k-£250kLarge extensions and full property refurbishments
- £250k+New builds and high-end residential projects
Higher-value projects are often found around the newer Riverside Sunderland developments, where larger properties and new-build plots are more common.
Recent Planning Applications in Sunderland
Extensions
| Project Type | Area | Est. Value | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Storey Extension | Sunderland | £100k–£250k | Two storey extension to the side of the property with garage and bedroom. | Approved |
| Single Storey Rear Extension | 1 Corry Court Sunderland SR4 8NQ | £100k–£250k | Erection of a single storey rear extension, garage conversion, and new boundary fences. | Approved |
| Single Storey Side Extension | 5 Donington Close Castletown Sunderland SR5 3DN | £50k–£100k | Erection of a single-storey side extension. | Approved |
| Single Storey Front Extension | 1 Parkside South Sunderland SR3 3RA | £50k–£100k | Erection of a front entrance porch with canopy and a single-storey rear extension incorporating a glass balustrade. | Approved |
| Wrap-Around Extension | 43 Askrigg Avenue Sunderland SR2 9SG | £100k–£250k | Two-storey side extension, single-storey rear extension and front canopy (householder fast-track). | Approved |
Double Storey Extension
Sunderland
Two storey extension to the side of the property with garage and bedroom.
Single Storey Rear Extension
1 Corry Court Sunderland SR4 8NQ
Erection of a single storey rear extension, garage conversion, and new boundary fences.
Single Storey Side Extension
5 Donington Close Castletown Sunderland SR5 3DN
Erection of a single-storey side extension.
Single Storey Front Extension
1 Parkside South Sunderland SR3 3RA
Erection of a front entrance porch with canopy and a single-storey rear extension incorporating a glass balustrade.
Wrap-Around Extension
43 Askrigg Avenue Sunderland SR2 9SG
Two-storey side extension, single-storey rear extension and front canopy (householder fast-track).
Loft Conversions
| Project Type | Area | Est. Value | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loft Conversion | Smee 18 The Green Washington Village Washington NE38 7AB | £100k–£250k | Erection of first floor extension and loft conversion with dormer window. | Approved |
Loft Conversion
Smee 18 The Green Washington Village Washington NE38 7AB
Erection of first floor extension and loft conversion with dormer window.
Other Projects
| Project Type | Area | Est. Value | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage | Sunderland | £25k–£50k | Upgrade of existing walls and floors for fire, acoustic, and thermal insulation. | Approved |
| Garden Room | 39 Treecone Close Sunderland SR3 2XG | Under £25k | Change of use from open amenity space to residential garden space, including the erection of a shed and fence. | Refused |
| New Build | Church Street North Tower Block And Dock Street Tower Block | £25k–£50k | Full application for replacement openings and prefabricated panels, roof alterations including new flat roof covering and fall-arrest railings, and application of replacement render to tower blocks. | Approved |
| Garage Conversion | 11 Carnoustie Usworth Washington NE37 1ND | £25k–£50k | Conversion of existing garage to provide habitable rooms with associated internal and external alterations. | Approved |
| Garage Conversion | Welfare Ground Cottage Langley Street Houghton-le-Spring DH4 4LR | £50k–£100k | Erection of a single-storey detached garage; conversion of attached garage to kitchen; installation of two rooflights; relocation/reconfiguration of PV panels and associated drainage and external works. | Approved |
Heritage
Sunderland
Upgrade of existing walls and floors for fire, acoustic, and thermal insulation.
Garden Room
39 Treecone Close Sunderland SR3 2XG
Change of use from open amenity space to residential garden space, including the erection of a shed and fence.
New Build
Church Street North Tower Block And Dock Street Tower Block
Full application for replacement openings and prefabricated panels, roof alterations including new flat roof covering and fall-arrest railings, and application of replacement render to tower blocks.
Garage Conversion
11 Carnoustie Usworth Washington NE37 1ND
Conversion of existing garage to provide habitable rooms with associated internal and external alterations.
Garage Conversion
Welfare Ground Cottage Langley Street Houghton-le-Spring DH4 4LR
Erection of a single-storey detached garage; conversion of attached garage to kitchen; installation of two rooflights; relocation/reconfiguration of PV panels and associated drainage and external works.
Data sourced from Sunderland City Council planning records and refreshed regularly.
Featured Projects
A snapshot of recent construction opportunities across Sunderland.
Two storey extension to the side of the property with ground floor garage and first floor bedroom with en-suite (Amended plans received on 3.9.26 to remove ensuite at first floor).
£100k–£250kSunderland
Two storey extension to the side of the property with garage and bedroom.
Erection of a single storey extension to rear with lean to roof. Conversion of existing garage into habitable room, replacement of existing fence to rear and side and erection of new boundary fence to front
£100k–£250k1 Corry Court Sunderland SR4 8NQ
Erection of a single storey rear extension, garage conversion, and new boundary fences.
Erection of first floor extension above existing single storey extension and loft conversion increase the ridge height to accommodate the dormer window to the front, including additional cladding (Amended Description 13.07.2026) (Amended plans to correct elevations received on 24.8.26)
£100k–£250kSmee 18 The Green Washington Village Washington NE38 7AB
Erection of first floor extension and loft conversion with dormer window.
Upgrade of existing walls and ceilings to provide fire, acoustic and thermal insulation.
£25k–£50kSunderland
Upgrade of existing walls and floors for fire, acoustic, and thermal insulation.
Examples of projects at an early stage before wider competition builds.
See All 41 Construction Leads in Sunderland
Unlock full details and connect with homeowners while projects are still taking shape.
Get Access NowPlanning Application Status in Sunderland
51%
Approved
46%
Pending
3%
Refused
Most planning applications in Sunderland are approved, meaning a large proportion of these projects go ahead and become real building jobs. This creates strong opportunities for builders who contact homeowners early.
Getting in touch earlier puts you in a stronger position before others step in.
Based on planning applications submitted over the last 30 days.
Planning Approval Times in Sunderland
Among applications tracked by BuildAlert in Sunderland, the median time from submission to decision is 7 weeks. Smaller projects like extensions tend to be approved more quickly, while larger developments can take longer.
Based on approved applications with recorded decision dates over the last 3 months.
Domestic vs Commercial Projects in Sunderland
In Sunderland, the vast majority (85%) of planning applications are domestic projects such as extensions and loft conversions. Commercial developments make up a smaller portion but can offer higher-value opportunities for larger contractors.
Demand for Building Work in Sunderland
Riverside Sunderland is the city's clearest new-build growth story, with phases at the former Vaux site and Sheepfolds continuing to bring groundworks and finishing trade work as the scheme is built out over the coming years. Away from that regeneration zone, Sunderland's suburban streets support a steady, more standard flow of extension and loft conversion work on their largely Victorian and post-war housing stock, giving builders exposure to both large-scale regeneration work and everyday householder projects.
How to Win Jobs in Sunderland
Contact Homeowners Early
Planning applications highlight upcoming work, giving you a chance to get in touch before builders are shortlisted.
Focus on Approved Applications
Approved applications can be particularly valuable because the project has cleared a major planning hurdle and may be moving closer to construction.
Target Higher-Value Projects
Filter by estimated project value to focus your outreach on jobs that match the size and type of work your business takes on.
How BuildAlert Works
Three simple steps to start winning more construction work in Sunderland.
Track Planning Applications
We monitor Sunderland City Council and surrounding authorities daily for new residential projects.
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Contact Homeowners
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Nearby Areas
Builders based in Sunderland often take on work in nearby Tyne and Wear areas such as Newcastle, helping maintain a consistent flow of projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
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