First-floor extensions in Shildon

What we'd confirm first for a project in Shildon.

Postcode districts: DL4
County / area: County Durham, England
Price region: North East England
Guide price: £22,500–£33,000 (£1,620–£2,340 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: Bishop Auckland (2.2 miles), Newton Aycliffe (3 miles), Spennymoor (5 miles)
Distance to Darlington: about 8.2 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.

We cover Shildon (DL4) and the places around it, including Bishop Auckland (2.2 miles), Newton Aycliffe (3.0 miles) and Spennymoor.

What it costs in Shildon

Using our North East England rates, a first-floor extension with 4 m × 3.5 m of new first-floor space (14 m²) comes to about £22,500–£33,000, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.

Spec	Per m²	4 m × 3.5 m of new first-floor space (14 m²)
Essential	£1,490–£2,150 per m²	£21,000–£30,000
Standard	£1,620–£2,340 per m²	£22,500–£33,000
Premium	£1,940–£2,810 per m²	£27,000–£39,500

Planning and building regulations in Shildon

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 Shildon homes

Matching the roofline

A first-floor extension often changes how the back or side of the house looks more than the original single storey did. Matching the main roof pitch and materials, and keeping the ridge below the main ridge, usually gives the best result and is expected for permitted development in England.

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.

How we'd run your project

Start at your house
We come to your home in Shildon, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.
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.
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 Shildon

Who handles building regulations for a project in Shildon?

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 much does a first-floor extension cost in Shildon?

Our guide for North East England, which covers Shildon, is £1,620–£2,340 per m² including VAT. A typical project with 4 m × 3.5 m of new first-floor space (14 m²) comes to about £22,500–£33,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Which postcodes do you cover around Shildon?

We cover Shildon (DL4) and nearby places including Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, plus the rest of County Durham. The first site visit is free.

Will the first-floor extension match my house?

It should, and in England matching materials and roof pitch is a condition of permitted development. We match brick, tile, mortar colour and window style where we can, and tell you at the design stage if an exact brick match is not available, so you can choose between the closest match and render or cladding.

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.

Nearby

Close to Shildon? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Shildon

All two-storey extension services in Shildon · First-floor extensions across County Durham

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