Part single, part two-storey extensions in Birmingham

Birmingham: the key facts for this kind of project.

Postcode districts: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B12 and nearby districts
County / area: West Midlands, England
Price region: West Midlands
Guide price: £72,000–£99,000 (£2,000–£2,750 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: Aston (1.5 miles), Hockley (1.5 miles), Smethwick (2.9 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 Birmingham (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B12 and nearby districts) and the places around it, including Aston (1.5 miles), Hockley (1.5 miles) and Smethwick.

What it costs in Birmingham

A guide price for Birmingham: around £72,000–£99,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). That works out at £2,000–£2,750 per m² of new floor space, including VAT at 20%. Professional fees for drawings and the structural engineer are listed separately 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	£1,840–£2,530 per m²	£66,000–£91,000
Standard	£2,000–£2,750 per m²	£72,000–£99,000
Premium	£2,400–£3,300 per m²	£86,500–£119,000

Planning and building regulations in Birmingham

In England, the extension can only be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays at least 7 m from the rear boundary, with matching materials and roof pitch. We check the whole design against the rules, including the 50% garden coverage limit. If any part fails, or extends beyond a side wall on two floors, you need 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 Birmingham 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.

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.

How we'd run your project

Look at the house
We start in Birmingham 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 Birmingham and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Structure and building control
A structural engineer sizes the foundations and steels, and we get building regulations approval before work starts.
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 Birmingham

Which postcodes do you cover around Birmingham?

We cover Birmingham (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B12 and nearby districts) and nearby places including Aston, Hockley and Smethwick, plus the rest of the West Midlands. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Birmingham?

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 long does a part single, part two-storey extension take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation), 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

The same service in neighbouring towns:

Other extensions in Birmingham

All two-storey extension services in Birmingham · Part single, part two-storey extensions across the West Midlands

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