Two-storey rear extensions in Llandaff

Quick reference for homeowners in Llandaff.

Postcode districts: CF5
County / area: Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
Price region: Wales
Guide price: £51,500–£69,500 (£1,840–£2,480 per m²)
Approval route: It may be permitted development if the ground floor goes no more than 4 m and the first floor no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall, with the first floor 10.5 m from the rear boundary.
Nearest towns: Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) (1.3 miles), Cardiff (1.9 miles), Rhiwbina (2.4 miles)
Distance to Cardiff: about 1.9 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 Llandaff (CF5) and the places around it, including Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) (1.3 miles), Cardiff (1.9 miles) and Rhiwbina.

What it costs in Llandaff

A guide price for Llandaff: around £51,500–£69,500 for a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space). That works out at £1,840–£2,480 per m² of new floor space, including VAT at 20%. Keep a contingency of around 10% for things nobody can see until the ground is opened up.

Spec	Per m²	A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,690–£2,290 per m²	£47,500–£64,000
Standard	£1,840–£2,480 per m²	£51,500–£69,500
Premium	£2,210–£2,980 per m²	£62,000–£83,500

Planning and building regulations in Llandaff

In Wales, a two-storey rear extension can be permitted development if the ground floor goes no more than 4 m and the first floor no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall, with the first floor at least 10.5 m from the rear boundary. Nothing within 2 m of a boundary can be higher than 4 m. Conservation areas and other protected areas are excluded, and a householder application costs £585.

Approval in Wales: Householder planning application: £585. Councils normally decide householder applications within 8 weeks.

Building regulations: Building regulations approval under the Welsh Approved Documents, which differ from England's in places (notably energy efficiency).

Design points for Llandaff 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

Free site visit
We visit your home in Llandaff, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.
Drawings and permission
Our designers produce plans and elevations, then we take care of planning or permitted development checks with the council covering Llandaff.
Engineer it
Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and building control approval, all before anyone starts on site.
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 Llandaff

Which postcodes do you cover around Llandaff?

We cover Llandaff (CF5) and nearby places including Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan), Cardiff and Rhiwbina, plus the rest of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The first site visit is free.

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

Llandaff is in Wales, so Wales planning rules apply. It may be permitted development if the ground floor goes no more than 4 m and the first floor no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall, with the first floor 10.5 m from the rear boundary. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Llandaff?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Wales: building regulations approval under the Welsh Approved Documents, which differ from England's in places (notably energy efficiency). We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.

How long does a two-storey rear extension take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils normally decide householder applications within 8 weeks), 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.

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

The same service in neighbouring towns:

Other extensions in Llandaff

All two-storey extension services in Llandaff · Two-storey rear extensions across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan

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