Calne · Wiltshire

Two-storey rear extensions in Calne

Want to stay in Calne 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.

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

Postcode districts
SN11
County / area
Wiltshire, England
Price region
South West England
Guide price
£57,500–£78,000 (£2,060–£2,780 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
Chippenham (5.3 miles), Devizes (6.1 miles), Melksham (7.4 miles)
Distance to Swindon
about 12.7 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, building regulations approval and the build itself, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K. Every project starts with a free site visit.

We cover Calne (SN11) and the places around it, including Chippenham (5.3 miles), Devizes (6.1 miles) and Melksham.

What it costs in Calne

Guide prices for two-storey rear extensions in South West England are around £2,060–£2,780 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 £57,500–£78,000. These are guides, not quotes. Ground conditions, steelwork and access can move the figure either way.

SpecPer m²A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space)
Essential£1,900–£2,560 per m²£53,000–£71,500
Standard£2,060–£2,780 per m²£57,500–£78,000
Premium£2,470–£3,340 per m²£69,000–£93,500

Planning and building regulations in Calne

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 Calne 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.

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

  1. Measure and listen

    A visit to Calne to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.

  2. Get it approved

    Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Calne 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 rear extensions in Calne

Which postcodes do you cover around Calne?

We cover Calne (SN11) and nearby places including Chippenham, Devizes and Melksham, plus the rest of Wiltshire. The first site visit is free.

How long does a two-storey rear extension 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.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Calne?

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.

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.

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.

Nearby

Other towns near Calne:

Other extensions in Calne

All two-storey extension services in Calne · Two-storey rear extensions across Wiltshire

The quickest next step is a visit. We'll look at your house in Calne and give you an honest view of the options.

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