East Kilbride · Lanarkshire

Two-storey rear extensions in East Kilbride

A two-storey rear extension is one of the most space-efficient ways to add bedrooms and living space to a house in East Kilbride, because the new floors share one set of foundations and one roof.

East Kilbride: the key facts for this kind of project.

Postcode districts
G74
County / area
Lanarkshire, 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
Cambuslang (3.2 miles), High Blantyre (3.3 miles), Blantyre (3.9 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 East Kilbride (G74) and the places around it, including Cambuslang (3.2 miles), High Blantyre (3.3 miles) and Blantyre.

What it costs in East Kilbride

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. 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£1,730–£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 East Kilbride

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 East Kilbride 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

  1. Understand the brief

    At your home in East Kilbride we agree what you need: bedroom count, bathroom, kitchen space, and how much garden you want to keep.

  2. Choose the approval route

    Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in Scotland before drawing in detail.

  3. Detail and price

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

  4. Build it

    The new structure goes up first, then we open into the house, finish inside and get the completion certificate.

Questions about two-storey rear extensions in East Kilbride

Which postcodes do you cover around East Kilbride?

We cover East Kilbride (G74) and nearby places including Cambuslang, High Blantyre and Blantyre, plus the rest of Lanarkshire. The first site visit is free.

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

East Kilbride 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 much does a two-storey rear extension cost in East Kilbride?

Our guide for Scotland, which covers East Kilbride, 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.

Who handles building standards for a project in East Kilbride?

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.

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

We also cover places near East Kilbride, including:

Other extensions in East Kilbride

All two-storey extension services in East Kilbride · Two-storey rear extensions across Lanarkshire

Want a figure first? Try our guide price tool, then book a free visit to firm it up.

CallGuide price