Part single, part two-storey extensions in Balerno

Quick reference for homeowners in Balerno.

Postcode districts: EH27
County / area: Edinburgh and the Lothians, 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: Currie (1.5 miles), Colinton (3.6 miles), Penicuik (5.7 miles)
Distance to Edinburgh: about 7.3 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.

Balerno sits about 7.3 miles from Edinburgh. Closer to home, Currie is 1.5 miles away and Colinton 3.6 miles.

What it costs in Balerno

Using our Scotland rates, a part single, part two-storey extension with a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total) comes to about £67,500–£93,000, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². We'll give you a written design-stage price first, then a fixed build price once the drawings are agreed.

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 Balerno

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 Balerno 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.

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

Measure and listen
A visit to Balerno to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Balerno and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building warrant approval, then a written fixed price for the build.
Build and hand over
We manage the build from groundworks to decoration-ready finish and hand over with the completion paperwork.

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

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

Balerno 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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Balerno?

We cover Balerno (EH27) and nearby places including Currie, Colinton and Penicuik, plus the rest of Edinburgh and the Lothians. The first site visit is free.

How much does a part single, part two-storey extension cost in Balerno?

Our guide for Scotland, which covers Balerno, is £1,880–£2,580 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total) comes to about £67,500–£93,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

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

The same service in neighbouring towns:

Other extensions in Balerno

All two-storey extension services in Balerno · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Edinburgh and the Lothians

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