Tottenham · Greater London

Two-storey extensions for semi-detached houses in Tottenham

If you live in Tottenham and need more room without moving, a two-storey extension for a semi-detached house is worth a serious look. We handle the drawings, approvals, structure and build.

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

Postcode districts
N17 and N18
County / area
Greater London, England
Price region
London
Guide price
£67,000–£90,500 (£2,400–£3,240 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
Tottenham Hale (0.8 miles), Edmonton (1.6 miles), Southgate (1.6 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.

We cover Tottenham (N17 and N18) and the places around it, including Tottenham Hale (0.8 miles), Edmonton (1.6 miles) and Southgate.

What it costs in Tottenham

Guide prices for two-storey extensions for semi-detached houses in London are around £2,400–£3,240 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 £67,000–£90,500. Steelwork for wide openings is the item most likely to move the figure; we'll know once the engineer has designed it.

SpecPer m²A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space)
Essential£2,210–£2,980 per m²£62,000–£83,500
Standard£2,400–£3,240 per m²£67,000–£90,500
Premium£2,880–£3,890 per m²£80,500–£109,000

Planning and building regulations in Tottenham

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 Tottenham homes

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.

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.

How we'd run your project

  1. Start at your house

    We come to your home in Tottenham, 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 Tottenham and deal with any questions from the planning officer.

  3. Detail and price

    Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.

  4. Finish and certify

    Second fix, plastering and making good, then building control's final inspection and the completion paperwork.

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

Who handles building regulations for a project in Tottenham?

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 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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Tottenham?

We cover Tottenham (N17 and N18) and nearby places including Tottenham Hale, Edmonton and Southgate, plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.

Should I extend my semi to the side or the rear?

It depends on your plot and what you need. A rear extension keeps the side drive and can sometimes be permitted development, but it affects the attached neighbour. A side extension keeps the rear garden but always needs planning permission in England. We compare both at the free site visit.

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.

Nearby

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

Other extensions in Tottenham

All two-storey extension services in Tottenham · Two-storey extensions for semi-detached houses across Greater London

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.

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