Kenilworth · Warwickshire

Two-storey rear extensions in Kenilworth

Want to stay in Kenilworth 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 Kenilworth, here's what applies.

Postcode districts
CV8
County / area
Warwickshire, England
Price region
West Midlands
Guide price
£56,000–£75,500 (£2,000–£2,700 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
Warwick (4.6 miles), Coventry (4.9 miles), Leamington Spa (5.2 miles)
Distance to Nuneaton
about 13 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 postcode district CV8 in and around Kenilworth, along with neighbouring Warwick, Coventry and Leamington Spa.

What it costs in Kenilworth

Using our West Midlands 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 £56,000–£75,500, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². We'll give you a written design-stage price first, then a fixed build price once the drawings are agreed.

SpecPer m²A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space)
Essential£1,840–£2,480 per m²£51,500–£69,500
Standard£2,000–£2,700 per m²£56,000–£75,500
Premium£2,400–£3,240 per m²£67,000–£90,500

Planning and building regulations in Kenilworth

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 Kenilworth 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. Free site visit

    We visit your home in Kenilworth, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.

  2. Choose the approval route

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

  3. 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.

  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 Kenilworth

Which postcodes do you cover around Kenilworth?

We cover Kenilworth (CV8) and nearby places including Warwick, Coventry and Leamington Spa, plus the rest of Warwickshire. 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.

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

Our guide for the West Midlands, which covers Kenilworth, is £2,000–£2,700 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 £56,000–£75,500. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

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.

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 Kenilworth

All two-storey extension services in Kenilworth · Two-storey rear extensions across Warwickshire

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

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