Two-storey extensions for semi-detached houses in Cottesmore

Before you start in Cottesmore, here's what applies.

Postcode districts: LE15
County / area: Rutland, England
Price region: East Midlands
Guide price: £55,000–£74,000 (£1,960–£2,650 per m²)
Approval route: Depends on position: a two-storey rear extension may be permitted development (3 m deep, 7 m from the rear boundary); a two-storey side extension needs planning permission.
Nearest towns: Greetham (1.4 miles), Langham (4.1 miles), Empingham (4.3 miles)
Distance to Oakham: about 4.4 miles
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a two-storey extension for a semi-detached house

A two-storey extension for a semi-detached house is a two-floor addition to the rear, the open side, or both, designed around the attached neighbour on one side. The rear is often the simplest option and can sometimes be permitted development, while a side extension uses the gap on the detached side. Both need care with the shared party wall and the neighbour's light.

Around Cottesmore we also work in Greetham, Langham and Empingham, and across the rest of Rutland. Postcode district in and near Cottesmore: LE15.

What it costs in Cottesmore

Guide prices for two-storey extensions for semi-detached houses in the East Midlands are around £1,960–£2,650 per m² of new floor space, including VAT. For a typical project with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space), that's roughly £55,000–£74,000. Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.

Spec	Per m²	A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,800–£2,430 per m²	£50,500–£68,000
Standard	£1,960–£2,650 per m²	£55,000–£74,000
Premium	£2,350–£3,180 per m²	£66,000–£89,000

Planning and building regulations in Cottesmore

In England, a two-storey rear extension on a semi can be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays 7 m from the rear boundary, with matching materials and roof pitch. A two-storey side or wraparound extension always needs planning permission, costing £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026). Protected areas such as conservation areas exclude two-storey rear permitted development.

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 Cottesmore homes

Rear, side or both

On a semi, a rear extension sits against the attached neighbour, while a side extension faces the detached neighbour and the street. We compare the space, cost and approval route for each, and for a wraparound, before you commit to one design.

Keeping the pair balanced

Semis are designed as matching pairs, and a side extension changes that balance. Setting the side extension back from the front wall and keeping its ridge lower helps the pair still read as a pair, which councils' design guides commonly ask for.

How we'd run your project

Look at the house
We start in Cottesmore with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Design and approvals
We draw the extension and check it against the rules for England, then apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness, whichever fits.
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.
On site
One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.

Questions about two-storey extensions for semi-detached houses in Cottesmore

How long does a two-storey extension for a semi-detached house 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.

How much does a two-storey extension for a semi-detached house cost in Cottesmore?

Our guide for the East Midlands, which covers Cottesmore, is £1,960–£2,650 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) comes to about £55,000–£74,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Do I need planning permission for a two-storey extension for a semi-detached house in Cottesmore?

Cottesmore is in England, so England planning rules apply. Depends on position: a two-storey rear extension may be permitted development (3 m deep, 7 m from the rear boundary); a two-storey side extension needs planning permission. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

What if my neighbour has already extended?

That often helps. An existing extension next door can reduce the effect of yours on their light, and may show what the council accepts on your street. It can also mean building alongside their wall, so we check its position, foundations and any windows facing your plot at the survey.

Will a side extension make my semi look like a terrace?

It can if it fills the whole gap to the boundary at first floor and the neighbour does the same. Many councils ask for a first-floor gap to the side boundary or a set-back for this reason. We design the extension to keep the semi reading as one of a pair.

Nearby

Close to Cottesmore? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Cottesmore

All two-storey extension services in Cottesmore · Two-storey extensions for semi-detached houses across Rutland

Ready to talk it through? Call us or send the form and we'll arrange a visit to your home in Cottesmore.