Part single, part two-storey extensions in Alness
Homes in Alness with a bit of space to the side or rear can often take a part single, part two-storey extension. We'll tell you honestly whether yours can, and what approvals it needs.
Alness is outside our usual mainland visit area, so visits and projects here are by arrangement. We'll agree any travel costs with you before anything is booked.
What we'd confirm first for a project in Alness.
- Postcode districts
- IV16 and IV17
- County / area
- The Highlands, Moray and Islands, 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
- Invergordon (3.3 miles), Dingwall (9.4 miles), Tain (10.9 miles)
- Distance to Inverness
- about 15 miles
- First visit
- By arrangement
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.
Alness sits about 15.0 miles from Inverness. Closer to home, Invergordon is 3.3 miles away and Dingwall 9.4 miles.
What it costs in Alness
A guide price for Alness: around £67,500–£93,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). That works out at £1,880–£2,580 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 | 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 Alness
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 Alness homes
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.
Where to put the two-storey part
The two-storey section usually works best away from the closest neighbour, with the single-storey part on that boundary side. We test a few positions against neighbours' windows, the upstairs layout and the roof shape before choosing the one to take forward.
How we'd run your project
Visit by arrangement
We agree a visit to your home in Alness and any travel costs with you in writing first, then look at the structure, access and 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.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building warrant approval, then a written fixed price for the build.
Build it
The new structure goes up first, then we open into the house, finish inside and get the completion certificate.
Questions about part single, part two-storey extensions in Alness
Which postcodes do you cover around Alness?
We cover Alness (IV16 and IV17) and nearby places including Invergordon, Dingwall and Tain, plus the rest of the Highlands, Moray and Islands. Visits and projects in Alness are by arrangement, with travel costs agreed in writing first.
Who handles building standards for a project in Alness?
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.
How long does a part single, part two-storey extension take?
Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils have two months to decide a local planning application), 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.
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.
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.
Nearby
Close to Alness? We work across the area, including:
Other extensions in Alness
- Rear
- Side
- Wraparound
- Over a garage
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Alness · Part single, part two-storey extensions across the Highlands, Moray and Islands
Ready to talk it through? Call us or send the form and we'll arrange a visit to your home in Alness.