Double-storey extensions in Greater Manchester

Covering Greater Manchester

Our coverage across Greater Manchester includes Manchester, Oldham, Wigan and Bolton.

Homes in the North West

Terraced housing is a defining feature of many North West towns, which brings party walls and narrow access into most projects, with more space to extend on suburban semis.

What does a double-storey extension involve?

Two-storey work has to sit comfortably with the house and the neighbours, so most of the design effort goes into the roofline, window positions and how the new first floor connects to the landing. We handle the planning application, the structural design and the building control process, then build, roof and finish both floors.

Measured survey, design and planning drawings
Windows, insulation, plastering, electrics and plumbing
Joining the new first floor to the existing landing

What is the guide price for a double-storey extension in Greater Manchester?

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

What approvals does a double-storey extension need in England?

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.

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?

Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.

Double-storey extensions: common questions

Does a two-storey extension need planning permission?

Usually yes. In England some two-storey rear extensions are permitted development, but side extensions over one storey always need planning permission.

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 Greater Manchester?

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 in nearby towns

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