Part single, part two-storey extensions in Aberdeen

Quick reference for homeowners in Aberdeen.

Postcode districts: AB10, AB11, AB15, AB16, AB24 and AB25
County / area: Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Price region: Scotland
Guide price: £67,500–£93,000 (£1,880–£2,580 per m²)
Approval route: Planning permission is usually needed: Class 1B permitted development only applies if every part of the extension is at least 10 m from all boundaries. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
Nearest towns: Nigg (1.9 miles), Cove (3.1 miles), Dyce (5.2 miles)
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a part single, part two-storey extension

A part single, part two-storey extension is an extension where the ground floor is wider or deeper than the floor above, so only part of it rises to two storeys. It usually gives a large kitchen or living area with roof lights below and one bedroom or bathroom above. It is often a good way to add space while limiting the effect on neighbours.

We cover postcode districts AB10, AB11, AB15, AB16, AB24 and AB25 in and around Aberdeen, along with neighbouring Nigg, Cove and Dyce.

What it costs in Aberdeen

Most of the cost of a part single, part two-storey extension is set by its size and specification. For Aberdeen and the rest of Scotland, our guide is £1,880–£2,580 per m² including VAT, so about £67,500–£93,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.

Spec	Per m²	A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential	£1,730–£2,380 per m²	£62,500–£85,500
Standard	£1,880–£2,580 per m²	£67,500–£93,000
Premium	£2,260–£3,100 per m²	£81,000–£111,500

Planning and building standards in Aberdeen

In Scotland, because part of the extension is more than one storey, it is assessed under Class 1B, which needs at least 10 m to every boundary for permitted development. On most plots that is not possible, so the extension needs a householder application (£371, decided within two months). A building warrant is also needed before any work starts.

Approval in Scotland: Householder planning application: £371. Councils have two months to decide a local planning application.

Building standards: A building warrant from the council's building standards service before work starts, and a completion certificate at the end. Scotland uses its own Technical Handbooks.

Design points for Aberdeen homes

Structure at the step

The first-floor wall above often sits over the new open-plan space, so it needs a steel beam or frame to carry it. Loads come down at different points than in a full two-storey design, and the engineer sizes the foundations to suit each part.

The roof junction

Where the single-storey roof meets the two-storey wall you need a sound weathering detail, usually a lead or similar flashing, and enough height for roof lights or a lantern. We set the roof falls and the upstairs window sill heights together so they do not clash.

How we'd run your project

Start at your house
We come to your home in Aberdeen, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.
Design and approvals
We draw the extension and check it against the rules for Scotland, then apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness, whichever fits.
Engineer it
Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and a building warrant, all before anyone starts on site.
Build and sign-off
Vetted teams working under S&K build the extension, and we arrange the completion certificate at the end.

Questions about part single, part two-storey extensions in Aberdeen

Which postcodes do you cover around Aberdeen?

We cover Aberdeen (AB10, AB11, AB15, AB16, AB24 and AB25) and nearby places including Nigg, Cove and Dyce, plus the rest of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The first site visit is free.

Do I need planning permission for a part single, part two-storey extension in Aberdeen?

Aberdeen is in Scotland. Planning permission is usually needed: Class 1B permitted development only applies if every part of the extension is at least 10 m from all boundaries. A building warrant is needed before work starts.

Who handles building standards for a project in Aberdeen?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Scotland: a building warrant from the council's building standards service before work starts, and a completion certificate at the end. Scotland uses its own Technical Handbooks. We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.

Can the single-storey part be deeper than the two-storey part?

With planning permission, yes, and that is often the point of the design: the ground floor projects further into the garden while the first floor stays back from neighbours. Under permitted development, the depth limits for extensions of more than one storey can apply to the whole extension, so we confirm which route applies before drawings are finalised.

Which side should the two-storey part go on?

Usually the side furthest from the nearest neighbour's windows, so the single-storey part sits nearest them and keeps their light. Other factors are where the stairs land upstairs, which room needs the extra space and where drains run. We sketch options at the design stage and explain which is most likely to be approved.

Nearby

The same service in neighbouring towns:

Other extensions in Aberdeen

All two-storey extension services in Aberdeen · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

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