Two-storey rear extensions in Gorebridge

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

Postcode districts: EH23
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: Mayfield (1.8 miles), Bonnyrigg (3 miles), Dalkeith (3.4 miles)
Distance to Edinburgh: about 9.4 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.

We cover postcode district EH23 in and around Gorebridge, along with neighbouring Mayfield, Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith.

What it costs in Gorebridge

Our guide for Scotland is £1,880–£2,540 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 Gorebridge at roughly £52,500–£71,000. 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	£1,730–£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 Gorebridge

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 Gorebridge 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

Look at the house
We start in Gorebridge with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Gorebridge and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Fixed price in writing
With approved drawings and calculations, we give you a fixed build price and a programme you can plan around.
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 Gorebridge

How much does a two-storey rear extension cost in Gorebridge?

Our guide for Scotland, which covers Gorebridge, 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.

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.

Who handles building standards for a project in Gorebridge?

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 Gorebridge?

We cover Gorebridge (EH23) and nearby places including Mayfield, Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith, 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

Close to Gorebridge? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Gorebridge

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

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