Two-storey rear extensions in Brandon
Want to stay in Brandon but need more space? A two-storey rear extension adds floor area on two levels without giving up much garden. Here's what's involved.
Quick reference for homeowners in Brandon.
- Postcode districts
- DH7
- County / area
- County Durham, England
- Price region
- North East England
- Guide price
- £50,500–£68,000 (£1,800–£2,430 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
- Durham (2.5 miles), Spennymoor (3.6 miles), Ferryhill (5.3 miles)
- Distance to Darlington
- about 15.8 miles
- First visit
- Free, no obligation
About a two-storey rear extension
A two-storey rear extension suits you if you need more room on both floors and have a reasonably deep garden. You get one team for the whole job: a measured survey, the design, a check on whether permitted development applies, planning drawings where they are needed, structural design, building regulations approval and the build itself, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K. Every project starts with a free site visit.
Brandon sits about 15.8 miles from Darlington. Closer to home, Durham is 2.5 miles away and Spennymoor 3.6 miles.
What it costs in Brandon
Our guide for North East England is £1,800–£2,430 per m² including VAT. On a project with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space), that puts a two-storey rear extension in Brandon at roughly £50,500–£68,000. 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 | £1,660–£2,240 per m² | £46,500–£62,500 |
| Standard | £1,800–£2,430 per m² | £50,500–£68,000 |
| Premium | £2,160–£2,920 per m² | £60,500–£81,500 |
Planning and building regulations in Brandon
In England, a two-storey rear extension can be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the rear wall of the original house, stays at least 7 m from the rear boundary and matches the house's materials and roof pitch. It is not permitted development in conservation areas, National Landscapes, National Parks, World Heritage Sites or the Broads. Otherwise a householder application costs £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 Brandon homes
Roof form
A hipped or gabled roof that matches the pitch of the main house usually looks best, and matching the pitch is a permitted development condition in England. Keeping the ridge below the main ridge makes the extension read as secondary and avoids awkward junctions with existing gutters and windows.
Opening up the ground floor
Knocking through the old rear wall means steel beams to carry the first floor and roof above. The structural engineer sets the beam sizes, padstones and any posts, and we plan them early so the open-plan layout you want is the one that gets built.
How we'd run your project
Measure and listen
A visit to Brandon to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Brandon and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Engineer it
Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and building control approval, all before anyone starts on site.
On site
One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.
Questions about two-storey rear extensions in Brandon
How much does a two-storey rear extension cost in Brandon?
Our guide for North East England, which covers Brandon, is £1,800–£2,430 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 £50,500–£68,000. 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 rear extension in Brandon?
Brandon 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 Brandon?
We cover Brandon (DH7) and nearby places including Durham, Spennymoor and Ferryhill, plus the rest of County Durham. The first site visit is free.
Can I have a balcony on a two-storey rear extension?
In England, balconies, verandas and raised platforms are not permitted development, so a balcony on a two-storey rear extension needs planning permission. A Juliet balcony, a guard rail across full-height doors with no platform to stand on, is often a practical alternative, but it still needs checking against the rules and the council's approach to overlooking.
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 Brandon
- 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 Brandon · Two-storey rear extensions across County Durham
Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.