Covering Shirley
Shirley sits 6 miles south-east of Birmingham, with Solihull 2 miles to the east and Acocks Green 3 miles to the north.
Homes in the West Midlands
Across the West Midlands, terraced and semi-detached houses in red brick are typical, along with post-war estates where garage conversions and side extensions are popular.
What is included in a double-storey extension in Shirley?
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.
- Householder planning application
- Structural engineer’s design and calculations
- Foundations, steelwork, brick and block walls, roof
What will a double-storey extension cost?
Use these ranges to budget for double-storey extensions; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.
| 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 |
Planning and building rules in Shirley
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 new roof is tied into the old one, so roof tiles and ridge details need to match.
What happens after I enquire?
- 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.
- Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
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.
How long does a two-storey extension take?
Around 14 to 24 weeks on site, plus the planning period before that.
Do you work in Shirley?
Yes. Shirley is within our coverage for double-storey extensions, along with nearby Solihull and Acocks Green.
Double-storey extensions in nearby towns
- Double-storey extensions in Solihull
- Double-storey extensions in Acocks Green
- Double-storey extensions in Birmingham
- Double-storey extensions in Aston
Learn more about double-storey extensions, or see every project we cover in Shirley.

