Cookstown · County Tyrone

Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Cookstown

For a two-storey extension for a detached house in Cookstown, the first questions are always the same: how big, which approvals, and what it will cost. This page answers all three for County Tyrone.

What we'd confirm first for a project in Cookstown.

Postcode districts
BT80
County / area
County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Price region
Northern Ireland
Guide price
£76,000–£101,500 (£1,800–£2,420 per m²)
Approval route
Depends on position: a two-storey rear extension may be permitted development (3 m deep, 7 m from the rear boundary); most others need planning permission.
Nearest towns
Coalisland (7.2 miles), Magherafelt (9.4 miles), Dungannon (9.7 miles)
Distance to Omagh
about 22.4 miles
First visit
Free, no obligation

About a two-storey extension for a detached house

A two-storey extension for a detached house is a two-floor addition to the side, rear or both of a house that stands on its own plot. Detached houses often have room on more than one side, so there is more choice of layout and fewer shared-wall issues. The design still needs to respect boundaries, neighbours' windows and the look of the house.

We cover Cookstown (BT80) and the places around it, including Coalisland (7.2 miles), Magherafelt (9.4 miles) and Dungannon.

What it costs in Cookstown

In Northern Ireland, which includes Cookstown, we'd expect a two-storey extension for a detached house to cost around £76,000–£101,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), or £1,800–£2,420 per m² including VAT. Steelwork for wide openings is the item most likely to move the figure; we'll know once the engineer has designed it.

SpecPer m²A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential£1,660–£2,230 per m²£69,500–£93,500
Standard£1,800–£2,420 per m²£76,000–£101,500
Premium£2,160–£2,900 per m²£91,000–£122,000

Planning and building control in Cookstown

In Northern Ireland, a two-storey rear extension on a detached house can be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays 7 m from the rear boundary, with height, materials and roof pitch conditions. Side and wraparound designs normally need a planning application, which costs £347 per dwelling.

Approval in Northern Ireland: Planning application for works to a house: £347. Councils aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer.

Building control: Building control approval from the local council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), using the Technical Booklets.

Design points for Cookstown homes

Larger spans and steelwork

Bigger extensions often mean wider openings and longer spans, which need more steel and sometimes a steel frame. The engineer designs these early, because the size of the steel affects ceiling heights, floor depths and the cost.

Choosing the best side

On a detached house you can often extend on either side or the rear. We look at orientation for daylight, where the stairs and landing are, the distance to each boundary, drains and trees, so the extension goes where it adds the most useful space.

How we'd run your project

  1. Visit and first ideas

    One of our team visits your house in Cookstown, checks the walls, roof and drains, and sketches out options with you.

  2. Design and approvals

    We draw the extension and check it against the rules for Northern Ireland, then apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness, whichever fits.

  3. Fixed price in writing

    With approved drawings and calculations, we give you a fixed build price and a programme you can plan around.

  4. Build it

    The new structure goes up first, then we open into the house, finish inside and get the completion certificate.

Questions about two-storey extensions for detached houses in Cookstown

How long does a two-storey extension for a detached house take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer), then 4 to 8 weeks of technical design, which can overlap. The build itself usually takes 14 to 20 weeks, longer for large or complex designs.

Which postcodes do you cover around Cookstown?

We cover Cookstown (BT80) and nearby places including Coalisland, Magherafelt and Dungannon, plus the rest of County Tyrone. The first site visit is free.

Do I need planning permission for a two-storey extension for a detached house in Cookstown?

Cookstown is in Northern Ireland. Depends on position: a two-storey rear extension may be permitted development (3 m deep, 7 m from the rear boundary); most others need planning permission.

Can I extend a detached house on both sides?

Sometimes. With planning permission, a council may accept extensions on both sides if the house stays well proportioned and keeps gaps to the boundaries. It is more common to extend on one side and the rear, or with a wraparound. We look at the plot as a whole before suggesting more than one extension.

Is a detached house extension a better investment than moving?

It often costs less than the gap between your house and a larger one nearby, once property tax, legal fees and removal costs are counted, but that depends on your area. Extending also has limits: every street has a ceiling price. We give you build costs so you can compare them with local asking prices.

Nearby

Close to Cookstown? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Cookstown

All two-storey extension services in Cookstown · Two-storey extensions for detached houses across County Tyrone

Tell us about your house in Cookstown and we'll call you back to arrange a free, no-obligation visit.

CallGuide price