Cheam · Greater London

Part single, part two-storey extensions in Cheam

Homes in Cheam 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.

The basics for Cheam at a glance.

Postcode districts
SM3
County / area
Greater London, England
Price region
London
Guide price
£86,500–£119,000 (£2,400–£3,300 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
Sutton (1.2 miles), Ewell (1.5 miles), Belmont (Greater London) (1.5 miles)
First visit
Free, no obligation

About a part single, part two-storey extension

A part single, part two-storey extension suits you if you want a generous ground floor but only need one extra room upstairs, or if a full two-storey design would affect a neighbour too much. You get design options that test where the two-storey part works best, the approvals your nation needs, structural design, building regulations approval and the build, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.

We cover postcode district SM3 in and around Cheam, along with neighbouring Sutton, Ewell and Belmont (Greater London).

What it costs in Cheam

Guide prices for part single, part two-storey extensions in London are around £2,400–£3,300 per m² of new floor space, including VAT. For a typical project with a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total), that's roughly £86,500–£119,000. Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.

SpecPer m²A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential£2,210–£3,040 per m²£79,500–£109,500
Standard£2,400–£3,300 per m²£86,500–£119,000
Premium£2,880–£3,960 per m²£103,500–£142,500

Planning and building regulations in Cheam

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 Cheam homes

Light into the kitchen

The single-storey part is the place for roof lights or a lantern, which bring daylight deep into the plan. In England, glazing is normally limited to 25% of the new floor area plus any windows removed, unless calculations show the house still performs, so we plan the balance early.

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

  1. Measure and listen

    A visit to Cheam to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.

  2. Plans, then approval

    Measured survey, design, then the right approval route for your house. We explain each step before we take it.

  3. Technical design

    We prepare the building regulations drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.

  4. Build and sign-off

    Vetted teams working under S&K build the extension, and we arrange the building control completion certificate at the end.

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

Which postcodes do you cover around Cheam?

We cover Cheam (SM3) and nearby places including Sutton, Ewell and Belmont (Greater London), plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.

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

Our guide for London, which covers Cheam, is £2,400–£3,300 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 £86,500–£119,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

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

Cheam is in England, so England planning rules apply. 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. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

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 I add roof lights to the single-storey part?

Yes. Roof lights or a lantern over the single-storey part are one of the main reasons to choose this design, as they light the middle of a deep kitchen. In England they count towards the Part L glazing allowance, normally 25% of the new floor area plus windows removed, so we balance them with the rear doors.

Nearby

Other towns near Cheam:

Other extensions in Cheam

All two-storey extension services in Cheam · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Greater London

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

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