Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Lichfield

Useful details for planning a two-storey extension for a detached house in Lichfield.

Postcode districts: WS13 and WS14
County / area: Staffordshire, England
Price region: West Midlands
Guide price: £86,000–£115,500 (£2,050–£2,750 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: Burntwood (4.3 miles), Brownhills (5.6 miles), Tamworth (6.3 miles)
Distance to Stoke-on-Trent: about 26.9 miles
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a two-storey extension for a detached house

This service suits you if you own a detached house and want a substantial amount of extra space, whether a side extension over a drive, a rear extension into the garden or a wraparound. You get a survey of the whole plot, options that compare layouts and costs, the approvals your nation needs, structural design and the build, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.

Around Lichfield we also work in Burntwood, Brownhills and Tamworth, and across the rest of Staffordshire. Postcode districts in and near Lichfield: WS13 and WS14.

What it costs in Lichfield

In the West Midlands, which includes Lichfield, we'd expect a two-storey extension for a detached house to cost around £86,000–£115,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), or £2,050–£2,750 per m² including VAT. The fastest way to a firmer number is a free site visit, after which we price the design stage in writing.

Spec	Per m²	A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,890–£2,530 per m²	£79,000–£106,500
Standard	£2,050–£2,750 per m²	£86,000–£115,500
Premium	£2,460–£3,300 per m²	£103,500–£138,500

Planning and building regulations in Lichfield

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 Lichfield 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.

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.

How we'd run your project

Look at the house
We start in Lichfield with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Choose the approval route
Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.
Fixed price in writing
With approved drawings and calculations, we give you a fixed build price and a programme you can plan around.
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 Lichfield

Which postcodes do you cover around Lichfield?

We cover Lichfield (WS13 and WS14) and nearby places including Burntwood, Brownhills and Tamworth, plus the rest of Staffordshire. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Lichfield?

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 Lichfield, including:

Other extensions in Lichfield

All two-storey extension services in Lichfield · Two-storey extensions for detached houses across Staffordshire

The quickest next step is a visit. We'll look at your house in Lichfield and give you an honest view of the options.