Harwich · Essex

Part single, part two-storey extensions in Harwich

If you live in Harwich and need more room without moving, a part single, part two-storey extension is worth a serious look. We handle the drawings, approvals, structure and build.

What we'd confirm first for a project in Harwich.

Postcode districts
CO12
County / area
Essex, England
Price region
East of England
Guide price
£74,000–£102,000 (£2,060–£2,830 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
Felixstowe (3.2 miles), Walton-on-the-Naze (6.5 miles), Frinton-on-Sea (7.9 miles)
Distance to Southend-on-Sea
about 37.1 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.

Around Harwich we also work in Felixstowe, Walton-on-the-Naze and Frinton-on-Sea, and across the rest of Essex. Postcode district in and near Harwich: CO12.

What it costs in Harwich

Our guide for the East of England is £2,060–£2,830 per m² including VAT. On a project with a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total), that puts a part single, part two-storey extension in Harwich at roughly £74,000–£102,000. Kitchens, bathroom fittings and flooring are priced separately so you can compare like with like.

SpecPer m²A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential£1,900–£2,610 per m²£68,000–£94,000
Standard£2,060–£2,830 per m²£74,000–£102,000
Premium£2,470–£3,400 per m²£89,000–£122,500

Planning and building regulations in Harwich

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 Harwich 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.

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

  1. Free site visit

    We visit your home in Harwich, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.

  2. Get it approved

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

  3. Detail and price

    Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.

  4. On site

    One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.

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

Which postcodes do you cover around Harwich?

We cover Harwich (CO12) and nearby places including Felixstowe, Walton-on-the-Naze and Frinton-on-Sea, plus the rest of Essex. The first site visit is free.

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

Harwich 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.

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.

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.

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.

Nearby

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

Other extensions in Harwich

All two-storey extension services in Harwich · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Essex

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

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