East Grinstead · West Sussex

Part single, part two-storey extensions in East Grinstead

Adding a part single, part two-storey extension in East Grinstead gives you two new rooms stacked on one footprint. Here's how we'd approach it, what it typically costs and the rules that apply in England.

Quick reference for homeowners in East Grinstead.

Postcode districts
RH19
County / area
West Sussex, England
Price region
South East England
Guide price
£79,000–£109,000 (£2,200–£3,030 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
Horley (7.5 miles), Crawley (7.7 miles), Crowborough (8.5 miles)
Distance to Crawley
about 7.7 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 East Grinstead (RH19) and the places around it, including Horley (7.5 miles), Crawley (7.7 miles) and Crowborough.

What it costs in East Grinstead

A guide price for East Grinstead: around £79,000–£109,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). That works out at £2,200–£3,030 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.

SpecPer m²A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential£2,020–£2,780 per m²£73,000–£100,000
Standard£2,200–£3,030 per m²£79,000–£109,000
Premium£2,640–£3,630 per m²£95,000–£130,500

Planning and building regulations in East Grinstead

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 East Grinstead 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

  1. Visit and first ideas

    One of our team visits your house in East Grinstead, checks the walls, roof and drains, and sketches out options with you.

  2. Get it approved

    Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for East Grinstead and deal with any questions from the planning officer.

  3. Price it properly

    Once the engineer's calculations are in, we fix the build price in writing, with a clear list of what's included.

  4. Build

    Foundations, walls, floor, roof, windows, then first and second fix. We break through into the house as late as we can.

Questions about part single, part two-storey extensions in East Grinstead

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 East Grinstead?

Our guide for South East England, which covers East Grinstead, is £2,200–£3,030 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 £79,000–£109,000. 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 East Grinstead?

East Grinstead 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.

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.

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

Nearby towns we cover for part single, part two-storey extensions:

Other extensions in East Grinstead

All two-storey extension services in East Grinstead · Part single, part two-storey extensions across West Sussex

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.

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