Smethwick · West Midlands

Part single, part two-storey extensions in Smethwick

Homes in Smethwick with a bit of space to the side or rear can often take a part single, part two-storey extension. We'll tell you honestly whether yours can, and what approvals it needs.

Smethwick: the key facts for this kind of project.

Postcode districts
B17, B66 and B67
County / area
West Midlands, England
Price region
West Midlands
Guide price
£72,000–£99,000 (£2,000–£2,750 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
West Bromwich (2.1 miles), Oldbury (2.1 miles), Hockley (2.2 miles)
Distance to Birmingham
about 2.9 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 postcode districts B17, B66 and B67 in and around Smethwick, along with neighbouring West Bromwich, Oldbury and Hockley.

What it costs in Smethwick

Expect a part single, part two-storey extension in Smethwick to land somewhere around £72,000–£99,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). Our West Midlands guide rate is £2,000–£2,750 per m², including VAT. These are guides, not quotes. Ground conditions, steelwork and access can move the figure either way.

SpecPer m²A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential£1,840–£2,530 per m²£66,000–£91,000
Standard£2,000–£2,750 per m²£72,000–£99,000
Premium£2,400–£3,300 per m²£86,500–£119,000

Planning and building regulations in Smethwick

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 Smethwick 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

  1. Free site visit

    We visit your home in Smethwick, 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 Smethwick and deal with any questions from the planning officer.

  3. Structure and building control

    A structural engineer sizes the foundations and steels, and we get building regulations approval before work starts.

  4. 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 Smethwick

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

Our guide for the West Midlands, which covers Smethwick, is £2,000–£2,750 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 £72,000–£99,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Which postcodes do you cover around Smethwick?

We cover Smethwick (B17, B66 and B67) and nearby places including West Bromwich, Oldbury and Hockley, plus the rest of the West Midlands. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Smethwick?

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.

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.

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

We also cover places near Smethwick, including:

Other extensions in Smethwick

All two-storey extension services in Smethwick · Part single, part two-storey extensions across the West Midlands

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

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