Two-storey rear extensions in Ballingry
Homes in Ballingry with a bit of space to the side or rear can often take a two-storey rear extension. We'll tell you honestly whether yours can, and what approvals it needs.
What we'd confirm first for a project in Ballingry.
- Postcode districts
- KY5
- County / area
- Fife, Scotland
- Price region
- Scotland
- Guide price
- £52,500–£71,000 (£1,880–£2,540 per m²)
- Approval route
- Planning permission is usually needed: Class 1B permitted development only applies if every part of the extension is at least 10 m from all boundaries. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
- Nearest towns
- Lochgelly (2.6 miles), Kelty (3.1 miles), Cowdenbeath (3.6 miles)
- Distance to Dunfermline
- about 8.1 miles
- First visit
- Free, no obligation
About a two-storey rear extension
A two-storey rear extension is a new two-floor addition built onto the back of your house, usually giving a larger kitchen or living space on the ground floor and one or two bedrooms or a bathroom above. Because both floors share one set of foundations and one roof, it adds a lot of floor space for the garden it uses. In some cases it can be built under permitted development, depending on where you live.
We cover postcode district KY5 in and around Ballingry, along with neighbouring Lochgelly, Kelty and Cowdenbeath.
What it costs in Ballingry
For budgeting in Ballingry, allow around £52,500–£71,000 for a two-storey rear extension with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space). That's based on £1,880–£2,540 per m² including VAT for Scotland. 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 | £1,730–£2,330 per m² | £48,500–£65,500 |
| Standard | £1,880–£2,540 per m² | £52,500–£71,000 |
| Premium | £2,260–£3,050 per m² | £63,000–£85,500 |
Planning and building standards in Ballingry
In Scotland, a two-storey rear extension is only permitted development under Class 1B if no part of it is within 10 m of any boundary, it is no higher than the house and the house is not in a conservation area. Most gardens cannot meet the 10 m test, so expect a householder application (£371, decided within two months) and a building warrant before work starts.
Approval in Scotland: Householder planning application: £371. Councils have two months to decide a local planning application.
Building standards: A building warrant from the council's building standards service before work starts, and a completion certificate at the end. Scotland uses its own Technical Handbooks.
Design points for Ballingry homes
Foundations and drains
Foundations for two storeys carry more load than a single storey and may need to go deeper near trees or on clay. Rear extensions often sit near drains, so we check sewer records early, as building over or near a public sewer may need the water company's agreement.
Depth and neighbours' light
Councils check that a two-storey rear extension does not take too much light or outlook from neighbouring windows, and many use a 45-degree line drawn from the nearest habitable window. We test this at sketch stage, so the depth you are shown is one that can realistically be approved.
How we'd run your project
Measure and listen
A visit to Ballingry to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.
Choose the approval route
Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in Scotland before drawing in detail.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building warrant approval, then a written fixed price for the build.
Finish and certify
Second fix, plastering and making good, then the council's final building standards inspection and the completion paperwork.
Questions about two-storey rear extensions in Ballingry
Do I need planning permission for a two-storey rear extension in Ballingry?
Ballingry is in Scotland. Planning permission is usually needed: Class 1B permitted development only applies if every part of the extension is at least 10 m from all boundaries. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
How long does a two-storey rear extension take?
Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils have two months to decide a local planning application), 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 Ballingry?
We cover Ballingry (KY5) and nearby places including Lochgelly, Kelty and Cowdenbeath, plus the rest of Fife. The first site visit is free.
How much does a two-storey rear extension cost in Ballingry?
Our guide for Scotland, which covers Ballingry, is £1,880–£2,540 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 £52,500–£71,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.
Will a two-storey rear extension block my neighbour's light?
It can if it is too deep or too close to the boundary, which is why councils look closely at its effect on neighbouring windows and gardens. We test the design against light and outlook early, keep the first floor shorter or set in where needed, and use a hipped roof to reduce bulk on the boundary side.
Nearby
The same service in neighbouring towns:
Other extensions in Ballingry
- Side
- Wraparound
- Part two-storey
- Over a garage
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Ballingry · Two-storey rear extensions across Fife
Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.