First-floor extensions in Ilfracombe

The basics for Ilfracombe at a glance.

Postcode districts: EX34
County / area: Devon, England
Price region: South West England
Guide price: £26,000–£37,500 (£1,850–£2,680 per m²)
Approval route: It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall (counting any single-storey part) and stays 7 m from the rear boundary; otherwise it needs planning permission.
Nearest towns: Braunton (7.3 miles), Barnstaple (9.2 miles), Bideford (13.9 miles)
Distance to Plymouth: about 57.9 miles
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a first-floor extension

A first-floor extension suits you if your house already has a single-storey extension and you need more space upstairs. You get a structural check of the existing walls and foundations, a design that ties the new floor into the house, the approvals your nation needs, building regulations approval and the build, managed by us and carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.

Ilfracombe sits about 57.9 miles from Plymouth. Closer to home, Braunton is 7.3 miles away and Barnstaple 9.2 miles.

What it costs in Ilfracombe

A guide price for Ilfracombe: around £26,000–£37,500 for 4 m × 3.5 m of new first-floor space (14 m²). That works out at £1,850–£2,680 per m² of new floor space, including VAT at 20%. Keep a contingency of around 10% for things nobody can see until the ground is opened up.

Spec	Per m²	4 m × 3.5 m of new first-floor space (14 m²)
Essential	£1,710–£2,460 per m²	£24,000–£34,500
Standard	£1,850–£2,680 per m²	£26,000–£37,500
Premium	£2,220–£3,210 per m²	£31,000–£45,000

Planning and building regulations in Ilfracombe

In England, adding a first floor turns a single-storey extension into one of more than one storey. To be permitted development, the extension as a whole must go no more than 3 m beyond the rear wall of the original house and stay at least 7 m from the rear boundary, with matching materials and roof pitch. Over a side extension it always needs planning permission, costing £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026).

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 Ilfracombe homes

Can the existing structure take it?

Many single-storey extensions were built with foundations, walls and lintels sized for one storey. We find out what is there with trial holes and, where available, the original building control drawings. The engineer then decides whether to reuse, strengthen or rebuild parts of the structure.

Replacing the flat roof

The existing roof usually comes off and is replaced by a new first-floor structure. The room below is exposed for a short time, so we plan temporary weatherproofing and sequence the work to keep the kitchen or living room usable for as long as possible.

How we'd run your project

Look at the house
We start in Ilfracombe with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Ilfracombe and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Fixed price in writing
With approved drawings and calculations, we give you a fixed build price and a programme you can plan around.
On site
One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.

Questions about first-floor extensions in Ilfracombe

Do I need planning permission for a first-floor extension in Ilfracombe?

Ilfracombe is in England, so England planning rules apply. It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall (counting any single-storey part) and stays 7 m from the rear boundary; otherwise it needs planning permission. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

Which postcodes do you cover around Ilfracombe?

We cover Ilfracombe (EX34) and nearby places including Braunton, Barnstaple and Bideford, plus the rest of Devon. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Ilfracombe?

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.

What happens to the room below while the first floor is built?

The old roof is removed, so the room below is exposed for a short period. We fit temporary weather protection, plan the work so the roof comes off only when the new structure is ready, and agree with you which rooms will be out of use and for roughly how long.

Can I build on top of my existing single-storey extension?

Often yes, but only after the structure has been checked. Foundations, walls and lintels built for one storey may not carry two. We dig trial holes, look for the original building control approval and ask the structural engineer to confirm what can stay, what needs strengthening and what must be rebuilt.

Nearby

We also cover places near Ilfracombe, including:

Other extensions in Ilfracombe

All two-storey extension services in Ilfracombe · First-floor extensions across Devon

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