Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Heavitree

Heavitree: the key facts for this kind of project.

Postcode districts: EX1, EX3 and EX5
County / area: Devon, 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: Exeter (1.4 miles), Exmouth (8.2 miles), Dawlish (9.7 miles)
Distance to Plymouth: about 37.2 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.

Heavitree sits about 37.2 miles from Plymouth. Closer to home, Exeter is 1.4 miles away and Exmouth 8.2 miles.

What it costs in Heavitree

Expect a two-storey extension for a detached house in Heavitree to land somewhere around £88,500–£119,000 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). Our South West England guide rate is £2,110–£2,830 per m², including VAT. Professional fees for drawings and the structural engineer are listed separately on our prices page.

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 Heavitree

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 Heavitree homes

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.

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.

How we'd run your project

Start at your house
We come to your home in Heavitree, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.
Choose the approval route
Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.
Build
Foundations, walls, floor, roof, windows, then first and second fix. We break through into the house as late as we can.

Questions about two-storey extensions for detached houses in Heavitree

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

Our guide for South West England, which covers Heavitree, 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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Heavitree?

We cover Heavitree (EX1, EX3 and EX5) and nearby places including Exeter, Exmouth and Dawlish, plus the rest of Devon. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Heavitree?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in England: building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end. We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.

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.

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.

Nearby

We also cover places near Heavitree, including:

Other extensions in Heavitree

All two-storey extension services in Heavitree · Two-storey extensions for detached houses across Devon

Book a free site visit in Heavitree and we'll tell you what's possible, what approvals you need and what the design stage would cost.