Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Ferndown

Before you start in Ferndown, here's what applies.

Postcode districts: BH22
County / area: Dorset, England
Price region: South West England
Guide price: £88,500–£119,000 (£2,110–£2,830 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); a two-storey side extension needs planning permission.
Nearest towns: Wimborne Minster (4 miles), Verwood (4.9 miles), Canford Heath (4.9 miles)
Distance to Bournemouth: about 6.1 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.

Ferndown sits about 6.1 miles from Bournemouth. Closer to home, Wimborne Minster is 4.0 miles away and Verwood 4.9 miles.

What it costs in Ferndown

Using our South West England rates, a two-storey extension for a detached house with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) comes to about £88,500–£119,000, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². These are guides, not quotes. Ground conditions, steelwork and access can move the figure either way.

Spec	Per m²	A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,940–£2,610 per m²	£81,500–£109,500
Standard	£2,110–£2,830 per m²	£88,500–£119,000
Premium	£2,530–£3,400 per m²	£106,500–£143,000

Planning and building regulations in Ferndown

In England, a two-storey rear extension on a detached house can be permitted development within 3 m of the original rear wall and at least 7 m from the rear boundary, with matching roof pitch and materials, outside protected areas. Any two-storey side or wraparound extension needs planning permission, costing £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026), with a decision due within 8 weeks of validation.

Approval in England: Householder planning application: £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026). Lawful development certificate: £274 (about £288 for applications from 8 December 2026). Councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation.

Building regulations: Building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end.

Design points for Ferndown 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

Start at your house
We come to your home in Ferndown, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Ferndown and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.
On site
One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.

Questions about two-storey extensions for detached houses in Ferndown

Which postcodes do you cover around Ferndown?

We cover Ferndown (BH22) and nearby places including Wimborne Minster, Verwood and Canford Heath, plus the rest of Dorset. The first site visit is free.

How much does a two-storey extension for a detached house cost in Ferndown?

Our guide for South West England, which covers Ferndown, is £2,110–£2,830 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) comes to about £88,500–£119,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

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 should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation), 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.

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.

How big an extension can a detached house take?

It depends on the plot, the boundaries and local design policy rather than a fixed limit. Under permitted development in England, extensions must not cover more than 50% of the land around the original house. With planning permission, the council judges size on proportion, neighbours and the character of the area.

Nearby

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

Other extensions in Ferndown

All two-storey extension services in Ferndown · Two-storey extensions for detached houses across Dorset

Want a figure first? Try our guide price tool, then book a free visit to firm it up.