Part single, part two-storey extensions in Torquay
Adding a part single, part two-storey extension in Torquay 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.
Torquay: the key facts for this kind of project.
- Postcode districts
- TQ1
- 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
- Cockington (1.4 miles), Paignton (2.6 miles), Brixham (4.7 miles)
- Distance to Plymouth
- about 27.9 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.
Around Torquay we also work in Cockington, Paignton and Brixham, and across the rest of Devon. Postcode district in and near Torquay: TQ1.
What it costs in Torquay
Most of the cost of a part single, part two-storey extension is set by its size and specification. For Torquay and the rest of South West England, our guide is £2,060–£2,830 per m² including VAT, so about £74,000–£102,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). Kitchens, bathroom fittings and flooring are priced separately so you can compare like with like.
| 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 Torquay
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 Torquay 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.
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.
How we'd run your project
Understand the brief
At your home in Torquay we agree what you need: bedroom count, bathroom, kitchen space, and how much garden you want to keep.
Drawings, then consent
We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in England, and take it through the right consent with the council.
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.
Build and hand over
We manage the build from groundworks to decoration-ready finish and hand over with the completion paperwork.
Questions about part single, part two-storey extensions in Torquay
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.
Who handles building regulations for a project in Torquay?
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 Torquay?
Our guide for South West England, which covers Torquay, 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
Nearby towns we cover for part single, part two-storey extensions:
Other extensions in Torquay
- Rear
- Side
- Wraparound
- Over a garage
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Torquay · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Devon
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