Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Horsforth

The basics for Horsforth at a glance.

Postcode districts: LS5, LS16 and LS18
County / area: West Yorkshire, England
Price region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Guide price: £79,000–£106,500 (£1,890–£2,530 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: Yeadon (2.5 miles), Pudsey (3.4 miles), Guiseley (3.8 miles)
Distance to Leeds: about 4.9 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.

Horsforth sits about 4.9 miles from Leeds. Closer to home, Yeadon is 2.5 miles away and Pudsey 3.4 miles.

What it costs in Horsforth

A guide price for Horsforth: around £79,000–£106,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). That works out at £1,890–£2,530 per m² of new floor space, including VAT at 20%. Kitchens, bathroom fittings and flooring are priced separately so you can compare like with like.

Spec	Per m²	A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,740–£2,330 per m²	£73,000–£98,000
Standard	£1,890–£2,530 per m²	£79,000–£106,500
Premium	£2,260–£3,040 per m²	£95,000–£127,500

Planning and building regulations in Horsforth

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 Horsforth homes

Keeping it subordinate

Large detached houses can take a large extension, but councils still expect it to look secondary to the main house. A lower ridge, a modest set-back at the front and matching materials keep the proportions right, even on a wide plot.

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

Free site visit
We visit your home in Horsforth, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Horsforth and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Fixed price in writing
With approved drawings and calculations, we give you a fixed build price and a programme you can plan around.
Finish and certify
Second fix, plastering and making good, then building control's final inspection and the completion paperwork.

Questions about two-storey extensions for detached houses in Horsforth

Which postcodes do you cover around Horsforth?

We cover Horsforth (LS5, LS16 and LS18) and nearby places including Yeadon, Pudsey and Guiseley, plus the rest of West Yorkshire. The first site visit is free.

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

Horsforth is in England, so England planning rules apply. 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. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

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

Our guide for Yorkshire and the Humber, which covers Horsforth, is £1,890–£2,530 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 £79,000–£106,500. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

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 Horsforth, including:

Other extensions in Horsforth

All two-storey extension services in Horsforth · Two-storey extensions for detached houses across West Yorkshire

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.