Covering Musselburgh
Musselburgh sits 18 miles east of Livingston, with Dalkeith 3 miles to the south and Bonnyrigg 5 miles to the south-west.
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 is 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
- Structural survey of walls and foundations
- Full fit-out of the new rooms
What will an upward extension cost?
What bungalow and upward extensions typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.
| 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 Musselburgh?
Scottish projects follow a different process from England: the council issues a building warrant before work starts and accepts a completion certificate at the end, alongside any planning permission needed. We prepare both applications.
Adding a storey in Scotland needs planning permission and a building warrant.
What should I think about before starting?
- The house is exposed while the roof is off, so the sequence is planned tightly.
- Neighbours’ light and privacy are the main planning tests.
What are the steps?
- Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
- Free site visit. We measure up, look at access, drains and the structure, and talk through options and budget.
- Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
Bungalow and upward extensions: common questions
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.
How long does it take?
About 12 to 24 weeks on site.
Can you visit a house in Musselburgh to quote?
Yes. After a short call we arrange a site visit to measure up and agree what the design needs to do, then send a written price.
Other towns nearby
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Dalkeith
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Bonnyrigg
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Haddington
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Kirkcaldy
Learn more about bungalow and upward extensions, or see every project we cover in Musselburgh.

