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 Yarm?
In Yarm, a double-storey extension typically costs £1,550–£2,300 per m² of floor area (both floors), including VAT at 20% (standard rate). For a typical 36 m² project that is roughly £56,000–£83,000. Prices across Yorkshire and the Humber are typically 7% below the UK average for this kind of work, which is reflected in the range for Yarm. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (25 m²) | £39,000–£57,500 |
| Typical project (36 m²) | £56,000–£83,000 |
| Larger project (50 m²) | £77,500–£115,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,550–£2,300 |
What moves the price most:
- Total floor area across both floors
- Scaffolding and access to the rear
- Brick matching and external finishes
- Steel beams where walls are opened up
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 Yarm?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location in England. In England an extension of more than one storey can only be permitted development at the rear, no more than 3 metres deep and at least 7 metres from the rear boundary, with matching materials and any upper side windows obscure-glazed. Most double-storey extensions therefore go through a householder planning application.
Where work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 metres of a neighbour’s building and deeper than its foundations (or within 6 metres for deeper work), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notices must be served before work starts.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
From survey to sign-off, the job normally involves:
- Foundations, drainage and scaffolding
- Structural engineer’s calculations
- Building control sign-off
- Design drawings and planning application
- Opening up at both levels with steel beams
- Brick or block walls, floors and a roof tied into the house
How long does it take?
Allow 14 to 20 weeks on site, after planning and building control approval. Design and approvals come first and typically take 3 to 4 months, depending on the approval route.
Building in Yarm
Yorkshire and the Humber has stone and brick terraces as well as inter-war and newer estates, so materials matching is an early design question.
Our Yarm coverage includes postcode districts TS15, and we also work in nearby places such as Thornaby-on-Tees, Stockton-on-Tees and Billingham.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 03
Approvals in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 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 Yarm
Does a double-storey extension need planning permission?
Usually. In England a two-storey rear extension can only be permitted development if it is no more than 3 metres deep and at least 7 metres from the rear boundary, and side extensions over one storey always need permission. In practice most are approved through a planning application.
How much does a double-storey extension cost in Yarm?
In Yarm, a double-storey extension typically costs £1,550–£2,300 per m² of floor area (both floors), including VAT at 20% (standard rate). A typical 36 m² project comes to roughly £56,000–£83,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
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.
How long does a double-storey extension take in Yarm?
Typically 14 to 20 weeks on site, after planning and building control approval. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 3 to 4 months.
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.
