Wallington · Greater London

Two-storey extensions for detached houses in Wallington

Adding a two-storey extension for a detached house in Wallington gives you two new rooms stacked on one footprint. Here's how we'd approach it, what it typically costs and the rules that apply in England.

The basics for Wallington at a glance.

Postcode districts
SM6
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
Carshalton (0.7 miles), St Helier (1.8 miles), Sutton (2.2 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.

Around Wallington we also work in Carshalton, St Helier and Sutton, and across the rest of Greater London. Postcode district in and near Wallington: SM6.

What it costs in Wallington

Using our London rates, a two-storey extension for a detached house with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) comes to about £103,500–£138,500, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². These are guides, not quotes. Ground conditions, steelwork and access can move the figure either way.

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 Wallington

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 Wallington 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.

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

  1. Visit and first ideas

    One of our team visits your house in Wallington, checks the walls, roof and drains, and sketches out options with you.

  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. Technical design

    We prepare the building regulations drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.

  4. 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 Wallington

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

Our guide for London, which covers Wallington, is £2,460–£3,300 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 £103,500–£138,500. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

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

Wallington 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.

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.

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 Wallington, including:

Other extensions in Wallington

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

Ready to talk it through? Call us or send the form and we'll arrange a visit to your home in Wallington.

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