Bungalow and upward extensions in the Lothians

Covering The Lothians

We cover the Lothians, including Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate and Bonnyrigg, and the towns around them.

Homes in the Lothians

Housing in Scotland includes tenements in the cities, sandstone villas, inter-war and post-war semis and a large number of bungalows, which often suit dormer and upward extensions.

What goes into an upward extension?

An upward extension adds a new storey on top of an existing house, most often turning a bungalow into a two-storey or chalet-style home. It can double the floor area without using any of the garden.

Building warrant application and completion certificate
Roof removal and temporary weather protection
Full fit-out of the new rooms

What is the guide price for an upward extension in the Lothians?

Typical ranges for bungalow and upward extensions. Ground conditions, access and specification move the final figure, which we fix in writing before work starts.

Bungalow and upward extensions	Guide price incl. VAT
Chalet conversion with dormers (total)	£45,000 to £85,000
New first floor, standard specification	£2,200 to £2,800 per m²
New first floor, good specification	£2,800 to £3,300 per m²
New first floor, high specification	£3,300 to £3,800 per m²

How is an upward extension approved in the Lothians?

In Scotland the key step is the building warrant, which must be granted before work begins. Planning permission is decided separately by the council, and work on shared walls is handled under your title deeds rather than a party wall act.

Adding a storey in Scotland needs planning permission and a building warrant.

What should the Lothians homeowners check first?

The staircase takes space from the ground floor plan.
The house is exposed while the roof is off, so the sequence is planned tightly.

From first call to completion

Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
Survey at your house. We look at the existing structure, services and access, and agree what the design needs to achieve.
Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

Questions about an upward extension in the Lothians

How much does it cost to add a storey?

Around £2,200 to £3,800 per square metre of new floor including VAT, or £45,000 to £85,000 for a chalet conversion with dormers.

Do we need to move out?

Often for part of the job, while the roof is off and the new floor is formed. We plan this with you.

How do I get a price for bungalow and upward extensions in the Lothians?

Use the guide price tool for a ballpark figure, then book a visit for a fixed written price for the agreed specification.

Other towns nearby

Learn more about bungalow and upward extensions, or see every project we cover in The Lothians.