Part single, part two-storey extensions in Seaham

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

Postcode districts: SR7
County / area: County Durham, England
Price region: North East England
Guide price: £65,000–£89,000 (£1,800–£2,480 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: Ryhope (2.4 miles), Hetton-le-Hole (4.4 miles), Houghton-le-Spring (4.7 miles)
Distance to Darlington: about 23.2 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.

Seaham sits about 23.2 miles from Darlington. Closer to home, Ryhope is 2.4 miles away and Hetton-le-Hole 4.4 miles.

What it costs in Seaham

A guide price for Seaham: around £65,000–£89,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). That works out at £1,800–£2,480 per m² of new floor space, including VAT at 20%. These are guides, not quotes. Ground conditions, steelwork and access can move the figure either way.

Spec	Per m²	A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential	£1,660–£2,280 per m²	£59,500–£82,000
Standard	£1,800–£2,480 per m²	£65,000–£89,000
Premium	£2,160–£2,970 per m²	£78,000–£107,000

Planning and building regulations in Seaham

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 Seaham 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.

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.

How we'd run your project

Look at the house
We start in Seaham with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
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 it
The new structure goes up first, then we open into the house, finish inside and get the completion certificate.

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

Which postcodes do you cover around Seaham?

We cover Seaham (SR7) and nearby places including Ryhope, Hetton-le-Hole and Houghton-le-Spring, plus the rest of County Durham. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Seaham?

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.

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

Our guide for North East England, which covers Seaham, is £1,800–£2,480 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 £65,000–£89,000. 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 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

We also cover places near Seaham, including:

Other extensions in Seaham

All two-storey extension services in Seaham · Part single, part two-storey extensions across County Durham

Book a free site visit in Seaham and we'll tell you what's possible, what approvals you need and what the design stage would cost.