What is a double-storey extension?

A double-storey extension (also called a two-storey extension) adds rooms on both the ground and first floor in one build. It typically gives a larger kitchen or living space downstairs and an extra bedroom or bathroom above.
How much does a double-storey extension cost in Renfrew?
In Renfrew, a double-storey extension typically costs £1,600–£2,400 per m² of floor area (both floors), including VAT at 20% (standard rate). For a typical 36 m² project that is roughly £57,500–£86,500. Building costs in Scotland are close to the UK average, so the figures for Renfrew are close to our national guide. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (25 m²) | £40,000–£60,000 |
| Typical project (36 m²) | £57,500–£86,500 |
| Larger project (50 m²) | £80,000–£120,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,600–£2,400 |
What moves the price most:
- Bathrooms or en-suites on the first floor
- Steel beams where walls are opened up
- Brick matching and external finishes
- Roof design and how it joins the existing roof
A guide range is only a starting point: the guide price tool gives an instant figure for your size, and a free survey turns it into a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a double-storey extension in Renfrew?
The approval route for Renfrew is set by planning law in Scotland. In Scotland an extension of more than one storey is only permitted development if it is at least 10 metres from every boundary and no higher than the existing ridge, so most need planning permission. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
In Scotland a building warrant is needed before work starts on most extensions, loft conversions and conversions. It is issued by the council’s building standards service. When the work is finished, a completion certificate is submitted and accepted by the council after inspection.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Windows, doors and staircase alterations
- Building control sign-off
- Brick or block walls, floors and a roof tied into the house
- Electrics, heating, plumbing and plastering
- Design drawings and planning application
- Structural engineer’s calculations
How long does it take?
Allow 14 to 20 weeks on site, after planning and building control approval. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 3 to 4 months.
Building in Renfrew
In Scotland, bungalows and one-and-a-half-storey homes are common, so dormer conversions are a popular way to add bedrooms.
Renfrew sits in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, about 3 miles north-east of Paisley. We cover the whole of Renfrew, including postcodes PA4.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 02
Design and pricing
Design options, then a fixed quote based on the chosen drawings and specification.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Build and handover
Work follows the agreed programme, with inspections along the way and a completion certificate at the end.
Questions about double-storey extensions in Renfrew
How much does a double-storey extension cost in Renfrew?
In Renfrew, a double-storey extension typically costs £1,600–£2,400 per m² of floor area (both floors), including VAT at 20% (standard rate). A typical 36 m² project comes to roughly £57,500–£86,500. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Do I need planning permission for a double-storey extension in Renfrew?
In Scotland an extension of more than one storey is only permitted development if it is at least 10 metres from every boundary and no higher than the existing ridge, so most need planning permission. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
Will the first floor need a new staircase?
Not normally. The new rooms are reached from the existing landing, though a doorway or short corridor may need to be formed.
Can I live at home during the work?
Most families stay put. The shell is built first and the house is opened up late in the job, so disruption inside is limited to a few weeks.
Is a double-storey extension cheaper per square metre?
Usually yes. You pay for one set of foundations and one roof but get two floors of space, so the cost per square metre is often lower than a single-storey extension.
Do you build double-storey extensions in Renfrew?
Yes. We build double-storey extensions across Renfrew, including postcodes PA4. Every project starts with a free home visit.
