Mitcham · Greater London

Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Mitcham

A two-storey extension for a detached house is one of the most space-efficient ways to add bedrooms and living space to a house in Mitcham, because the new floors share one set of foundations and one roof.

Mitcham: the key facts for this kind of project.

Postcode districts
CR4
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
Morden (1.3 miles), Tooting (1.5 miles), St Helier (1.6 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 Mitcham (CR4) and the places around it, including Morden (1.3 miles), Tooting (1.5 miles) and St Helier.

What it costs in Mitcham

Most of the cost of a two-storey extension for a detached house is set by its size and specification. For Mitcham and the rest of London, our guide is £2,460–£3,300 per m² including VAT, so about £103,500–£138,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). Professional fees for drawings and the structural engineer are listed separately on our prices page.

SpecPer m²A 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 Mitcham

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 Mitcham 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

  1. Understand the brief

    At your home in Mitcham we agree what you need: bedroom count, bathroom, kitchen space, and how much garden you want to keep.

  2. Choose the approval route

    Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.

  3. Price it properly

    Once the engineer's calculations are in, we fix the build price in writing, with a clear list of what's included.

  4. Build and sign-off

    Vetted teams working under S&K build the extension, and we arrange the building control completion certificate at the end.

Questions about two-storey extensions for detached houses in Mitcham

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

Mitcham 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 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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Mitcham?

We cover Mitcham (CR4) and nearby places including Morden, Tooting and St Helier, plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.

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

Other towns near Mitcham:

Other extensions in Mitcham

All two-storey extension services in Mitcham · Two-storey extensions for detached houses across Greater London

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

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