Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire has a wide mix of house types, and most can take a well-designed two-storey extension for a detached house. Here's what's involved, the rules in England and typical costs.
Nottinghamshire at a glance
- Nation
- England
- Price region
- East Midlands
- Postcode areas
- DN, NG, S
- Towns covered
- 16 listed below, plus surrounding villages
- 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.
- Site visits
- Free, no obligation
What a two-storey extension for a detached house involves
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.
Across Nottinghamshire we cover Nottingham (NG1), Mansfield (NG18), Worksop (S80), Newark-on-Trent (NG23), Arnold (NG4) and West Bridgford (NG2), plus the smaller places around them.
Guide price in the East Midlands
Guide prices for two-storey extensions for detached houses in the East Midlands are around £2,010–£2,700 per m² of new floor space, including VAT. For a typical project with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), that's roughly £84,500–£113,000. Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.
| Spec | Per m² | Typical project |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £1,850–£2,480 per m² | £77,500–£104,000 |
| Standard | £2,010–£2,700 per m² | £84,500–£113,000 |
| Premium | £2,410–£3,230 per m² | £101,500–£136,000 |
Rules in England
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.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies, so notices may be needed for work on or near a shared wall or boundary.
Getting the design right
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 work in Nottinghamshire
Visit and first ideas
One of our team visits your house in Nottinghamshire, checks the walls, roof and drains, and sketches out options with you.
Drawings, then consent
We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in England, and take it through the right consent with the council.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.
Build and sign-off
Vetted teams working under S&K build the extension, and we arrange the building control completion certificate at the end.
Towns we cover in Nottinghamshire
- Nottingham
- Mansfield
- Worksop
- Newark-on-Trent
- Arnold
- West Bridgford
- Sutton-in-Ashfield
- Hucknall
- Kirkby-in-Ashfield
- Retford
- Eastwood
- Mansfield Woodhouse
- Basford
- Shirebrook
- Boughton
- Warsop
Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Nottinghamshire: questions
How much does a two-storey extension for a detached house cost in Nottinghamshire?
In the East Midlands our guide is £2,010–£2,700 per m² including VAT, so about £84,500–£113,000 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). Essential and Premium specs move that by roughly 8% down or 20% up.
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.
How big an extension can a detached house take?
It depends on the plot, the boundaries and local design policy rather than a fixed limit. Under permitted development in England, extensions must not cover more than 50% of the land around the original house. With planning permission, the council judges size on proportion, neighbours and the character of the area.
Will I need planning permission in Nottinghamshire?
Nottinghamshire is in England. 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.
Neighbouring areas
- Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Derbyshire
- Two-storey extensions for detached houses in South Yorkshire
- Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Leicestershire
- Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Rutland
All extension services in Nottinghamshire · About two-storey extensions for detached houses
Ready to see what a second storey could do for your home?
Book a free site visit. We'll look at your house, talk through options and explain the approvals you'd need, then price the design stage in writing.