Bungalow and upward extensions in Portsmouth

Covering Portsmouth

Portsmouth is about 15 miles south-east of Southampton. We also cover Gosport (2 miles to the west), Fareham and Ryde.

Homes in the South East

Many South East homes are inter-war or post-war semis and detached houses with room for rear and side extensions, while historic town centres and villages bring conservation area and listed building controls.

What is included in an upward extension in Portsmouth?

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.

Roof removal and temporary weather protection
Staircase and changes to the ground floor layout
Full fit-out of the new rooms

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

Use these ranges to budget for bungalow and upward extensions; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.

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

Do you need permission for an upward extension in Portsmouth?

Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies.

In England, Class AA permitted development allows an extra storey on many detached and semi-detached houses built between July 1948 and October 2018, subject to a prior approval application covering design, neighbours’ amenity and other matters.

What should Portsmouth homeowners check first?

Some bungalow foundations need strengthening before a storey can be added.
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.
We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.

Questions about an upward extension in Portsmouth

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.

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

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

Bungalow and upward extensions in nearby towns

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