Upminster · Greater London

Part single, part two-storey extensions in Upminster

Homes in Upminster 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.

Useful details for planning a part single, part two-storey extension in Upminster.

Postcode districts
RM14
County / area
Greater London, England
Price region
London
Guide price
£86,500–£119,000 (£2,400–£3,300 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
Emerson Park (1.7 miles), Hornchurch (1.7 miles), Elm Park (2.8 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.

We cover Upminster (RM14) and the places around it, including Emerson Park (1.7 miles), Hornchurch (1.7 miles) and Elm Park.

What it costs in Upminster

Most of the cost of a part single, part two-storey extension is set by its size and specification. For Upminster and the rest of London, our guide is £2,400–£3,300 per m² including VAT, so about £86,500–£119,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). We'll give you a written design-stage price first, then a fixed build price once the drawings are agreed.

SpecPer m²A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential£2,210–£3,040 per m²£79,500–£109,500
Standard£2,400–£3,300 per m²£86,500–£119,000
Premium£2,880–£3,960 per m²£103,500–£142,500

Planning and building regulations in Upminster

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 Upminster homes

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.

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.

How we'd run your project

  1. Start at your house

    We come to your home in Upminster, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.

  2. Get it approved

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

  3. 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.

  4. Build and sign-off

    Vetted teams working under S&K build the extension, and we arrange the building control completion certificate at the end.

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

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

Upminster 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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Upminster?

We cover Upminster (RM14) and nearby places including Emerson Park, Hornchurch and Elm Park, plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.

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 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.

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

Other towns near Upminster:

Other extensions in Upminster

All two-storey extension services in Upminster · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Greater London

Tell us about your house in Upminster and we'll call you back to arrange a free, no-obligation visit.

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