Double-storey extensions in Cambridge

Covering Cambridge

Alongside Cambridge, we also cover Huntingdon, Haverhill (16 miles to the south-east) and St Neots.

Homes in the East of England

Housing in the East of England ranges from post-war estates and modern developments to timber-framed and period homes in historic towns, so permitted development checks and conservation controls both feature regularly.

What goes into a double-storey extension?

A double-storey extension adds new rooms on both the ground and first floor in one build, typically a larger kitchen or living space downstairs and an extra bedroom or bathroom above. Because the roof and foundations are shared, the cost per square metre is usually lower than a single-storey extension.

Measured survey, design and planning drawings
Structural engineer’s design and calculations
Joining the new first floor to the existing landing

What will a double-storey extension cost?

Indicative costs for double-storey extensions. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.

Double-storey extensions	Guide price incl. VAT
Standard specification	£2,400 to £2,900 per m²
Good specification	£2,900 to £3,400 per m²
High specification	£3,400 to £3,850 per m²

Do you need permission for a double-storey extension in Cambridge?

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.

Two-storey rear extensions can sometimes be permitted development in England (no more than 3 m deep, at least 7 m from the rear boundary, roof pitch to match), but most two-storey and all two-storey side extensions need householder planning permission. Expect around eight weeks for a decision once the application is validated.

What should I think about before starting?

Side extensions close to a boundary are often set back or stepped down so they do not create a terraced effect.
The first-floor link can mean moving a bathroom or reshaping the landing.

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.
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 a double-storey extension in Cambridge

Is a two-storey extension better value than a single-storey one?

Per square metre, usually yes, because the foundations and roof serve two floors of space.

Will we need to move out?

Most people stay. The noisiest stage is when we break through into the existing first floor, which we plan for a short window.

How do I get a price for double-storey extensions in Cambridge?

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

Double-storey extensions near Cambridge

Learn more about double-storey extensions, or see every project we cover in Cambridge.