Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Kew
Homes in Kew with a bit of space to the side or rear can often take a two-storey extension for a detached house. We'll tell you honestly whether yours can, and what approvals it needs.
What we'd confirm first for a project in Kew.
- Postcode districts
- TW8
- County / area
- Greater London, England
- Price region
- London
- Guide price
- £103,500–£138,500 (£2,460–£3,300 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
- Brentford (0.9 miles), Mortlake (1.2 miles), Chiswick (1.5 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 Kew (TW8) and the places around it, including Brentford (0.9 miles), Mortlake (1.2 miles) and Chiswick.
What it costs in Kew
In London, which includes Kew, we'd expect a two-storey extension for a detached house to cost around £103,500–£138,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), or £2,460–£3,300 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.
| Spec | Per m² | A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £2,260–£3,040 per m² | £95,000–£127,500 |
| Standard | £2,460–£3,300 per m² | £103,500–£138,500 |
| Premium | £2,950–£3,960 per m² | £124,000–£166,500 |
Planning and building regulations in Kew
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 Kew 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
Understand the brief
At your home in Kew we agree what you need: bedroom count, bathroom, kitchen space, and how much garden you want to keep.
Drawings and permission
Our designers produce plans and elevations, then we take care of planning or permitted development checks with the council covering Kew.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.
Build and hand over
We manage the build from groundworks to decoration-ready finish and hand over with the completion paperwork.
Questions about two-storey extensions for detached houses in Kew
Which postcodes do you cover around Kew?
We cover Kew (TW8) and nearby places including Brentford, Mortlake and Chiswick, plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.
Who handles building regulations for a project in Kew?
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.
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.
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
We also cover places near Kew, including:
Other extensions in Kew
- Rear
- Side
- Wraparound
- Part two-storey
- Over a garage
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Kew · Two-storey extensions for detached houses across Greater London
Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.