Two-storey rear extensions in Elgin

The basics for Elgin at a glance.

Postcode districts: IV30
County / area: The Highlands, Moray and Islands, 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: Lossiemouth (5.1 miles), Forres (11.5 miles), Buckie (13.3 miles)
Distance to Inverness: about 35.6 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.

Around Elgin we also work in Lossiemouth, Forres and Buckie, and across the rest of the Highlands, Moray and Islands. Postcode district in and near Elgin: IV30.

What it costs in Elgin

For budgeting in Elgin, 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. Kitchens, bathroom fittings and flooring are priced separately so you can compare like with like.

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 Elgin

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 Elgin 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

Look at the house
We start in Elgin with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Drawings and permission
Our designers produce plans and elevations, then we take care of planning or permitted development checks with the council covering Elgin.
Price it properly
Once the engineer's calculations are in, we fix the build price in writing, with a clear list of what's included.
Build and hand over
We manage the build from groundworks to decoration-ready finish and hand over with the completion paperwork.

Questions about two-storey rear extensions in Elgin

Who handles building standards for a project in Elgin?

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 Elgin?

We cover Elgin (IV30) and nearby places including Lossiemouth, Forres and Buckie, plus the rest of the Highlands, Moray and Islands. The first site visit is free.

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

Elgin 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 Elgin?

Our guide for Scotland, which covers Elgin, 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

Nearby towns we cover for two-storey rear extensions:

Other extensions in Elgin

All two-storey extension services in Elgin · Two-storey rear extensions across the Highlands, Moray and Islands

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.