Two-storey rear extensions in New Buildings

What we'd confirm first for a project in New Buildings.

Postcode districts: BT48
County / area: County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Price region: Northern Ireland
Guide price: £49,500–£66,500 (£1,760–£2,380 per m²)
Approval route: It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays 7 m from the rear boundary.
Nearest towns: Derry (3.2 miles), Culmore (7.1 miles), Eglinton (7.9 miles)
Distance to Derry: about 3.1 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 New Buildings we also work in Derry, Culmore and Eglinton, and across the rest of County Londonderry. Postcode district in and near New Buildings: BT48.

What it costs in New Buildings

Most of the cost of a two-storey rear extension is set by its size and specification. For New Buildings and the rest of Northern Ireland, our guide is £1,760–£2,380 per m² including VAT, so about £49,500–£66,500 for a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space). 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	£1,620–£2,190 per m²	£45,500–£61,000
Standard	£1,760–£2,380 per m²	£49,500–£66,500
Premium	£2,110–£2,850 per m²	£59,000–£80,000

Planning and building control in New Buildings

In Northern Ireland, a two-storey rear extension can be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays at least 7 m from the rear boundary, with conditions on height, materials and roof pitch. Upper side windows within 15 m of a neighbouring boundary must be obscure-glazed and non-opening. Otherwise a planning application costs £347 per dwelling.

Approval in Northern Ireland: Planning application for works to a house: £347. Councils aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer.

Building control: Building control approval from the local council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), using the Technical Booklets.

Design points for New Buildings 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

Start at your house
We come to your home in New Buildings, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.
Choose the approval route
Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in Northern Ireland before drawing in detail.
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 New Buildings

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

Our guide for Northern Ireland, which covers New Buildings, is £1,760–£2,380 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 £49,500–£66,500. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Which postcodes do you cover around New Buildings?

We cover New Buildings (BT48) and nearby places including Derry, Culmore and Eglinton, plus the rest of County Londonderry. 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 aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer), 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.

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

New Buildings is in Northern Ireland. It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays 7 m from the rear boundary.

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 New Buildings

All two-storey extension services in New Buildings · Two-storey rear extensions across County Londonderry

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