Broxburn · Edinburgh and the Lothians

Two-storey rear extensions in Broxburn

Want to stay in Broxburn 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.

Useful details for planning a two-storey rear extension in Broxburn.

Postcode districts
EH28 and EH52
County / area
Edinburgh and the Lothians, 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
Livingston (2.9 miles), Queensferry (4.8 miles), Linlithgow (5.9 miles)
Distance to Edinburgh
about 10.7 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, a building warrant and the build itself, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K. Every project starts with a free site visit.

Broxburn sits about 10.7 miles from Edinburgh. Closer to home, Livingston is 2.9 miles away and Queensferry 4.8 miles.

What it costs in Broxburn

Using our Scotland rates, a two-storey rear extension with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) comes to about £52,500–£71,000, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². Professional fees for drawings and the structural engineer are listed separately on our prices page.

SpecPer m²A 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 Broxburn

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 Broxburn homes

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.

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.

How we'd run your project

  1. Look at the house

    We start in Broxburn with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.

  2. Drawings, then consent

    We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in Scotland, and take it through the right consent with the council.

  3. Detail and price

    Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building warrant approval, then a written fixed price for the build.

  4. Build

    Foundations, walls, floor, roof, windows, then first and second fix. We break through into the house as late as we can.

Questions about two-storey rear extensions in Broxburn

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.

Do I need planning permission for a two-storey rear extension in Broxburn?

Broxburn 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.

Who handles building standards for a project in Broxburn?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Scotland: 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. We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.

Which postcodes do you cover around Broxburn?

We cover Broxburn (EH28 and EH52) and nearby places including Livingston, Queensferry and Linlithgow, plus the rest of Edinburgh and the Lothians. The first site visit is free.

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

Nearby towns we cover for two-storey rear extensions:

Other extensions in Broxburn

All two-storey extension services in Broxburn · Two-storey rear extensions across Edinburgh and the Lothians

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