Part single, part two-storey extensions in Plymouth

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

Postcode districts: PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 and PL6
County / area: Devon, England
Price region: South West 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: Plymstock (2.4 miles), Saltash (4.5 miles), Ivybridge (10 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 Plymouth we also work in Plymstock, Saltash and Ivybridge, and across the rest of Devon. Postcode districts in and near Plymouth: PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 and PL6.

What it costs in Plymouth

Using our South West England rates, a part single, part two-storey extension with a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total) comes to about £74,000–£102,000, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². 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	£1,900–£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 Plymouth

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 Plymouth homes

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.

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

Understand the brief
At your home in Plymouth we agree what you need: bedroom count, bathroom, kitchen space, and how much garden you want to keep.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Plymouth and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
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.
Finish and certify
Second fix, plastering and making good, then building control's final inspection and the completion paperwork.

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

Which postcodes do you cover around Plymouth?

We cover Plymouth (PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 and PL6) and nearby places including Plymstock, Saltash and Ivybridge, plus the rest of Devon. The first site visit is free.

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

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

Our guide for South West England, which covers Plymouth, is £2,060–£2,830 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 £74,000–£102,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

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 Plymouth

All two-storey extension services in Plymouth · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Devon

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