Part single, part two-storey extensions in Crystal Palace

What we'd confirm first for a project in Crystal Palace.

Postcode districts: SE19, SE20 and SE26
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: Upper Norwood (0.7 miles), Gipsy Hill (0.8 miles), South Norwood (1.4 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.

Around Crystal Palace we also work in Upper Norwood, Gipsy Hill and South Norwood, and across the rest of Greater London. Postcode districts in and near Crystal Palace: SE19, SE20 and SE26.

What it costs in Crystal Palace

In London, which includes Crystal Palace, we'd expect a part single, part two-storey extension to cost around £86,500–£119,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total), or £2,400–£3,300 per m² including VAT. Kitchens, bathroom fittings and flooring are priced separately so you can compare like with like.

Spec	Per m²	A 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 Crystal Palace

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 Crystal Palace homes

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.

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

Free site visit
We visit your home in Crystal Palace, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.
Choose the approval route
Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.
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 Crystal Palace

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.

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

Our guide for London, which covers Crystal Palace, 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.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Crystal Palace?

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.

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 Crystal Palace:

Other extensions in Crystal Palace

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

Want a figure first? Try our guide price tool, then book a free visit to firm it up.