South Ockendon · Essex

Two-storey rear extensions in South Ockendon

A two-storey rear extension is one of the most space-efficient ways to add bedrooms and living space to a house in South Ockendon, because the new floors share one set of foundations and one roof.

Quick reference for homeowners in South Ockendon.

Postcode districts
RM15
County / area
Essex, England
Price region
East of England
Guide price
£57,500–£78,000 (£2,060–£2,780 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
Chafford Hundred (1.4 miles), Grays (2.9 miles), Upminster (3.5 miles)
Distance to Southend-on-Sea
about 18.6 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, building regulations approval and the build itself, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K. Every project starts with a free site visit.

We cover South Ockendon (RM15) and the places around it, including Chafford Hundred (1.4 miles), Grays (2.9 miles) and Upminster.

What it costs in South Ockendon

In the East of England, which includes South Ockendon, we'd expect a two-storey rear extension to cost around £57,500–£78,000 for a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space), or £2,060–£2,780 per m² including VAT. Kitchens, bathroom fittings and flooring are priced separately so you can compare like with like.

SpecPer m²A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space)
Essential£1,900–£2,560 per m²£53,000–£71,500
Standard£2,060–£2,780 per m²£57,500–£78,000
Premium£2,470–£3,340 per m²£69,000–£93,500

Planning and building regulations in South Ockendon

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 South Ockendon homes

Roof form

A hipped or gabled roof that matches the pitch of the main house usually looks best, and matching the pitch is a permitted development condition in England. Keeping the ridge below the main ridge makes the extension read as secondary and avoids awkward junctions with existing gutters and windows.

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. Start at your house

    We come to your home in South Ockendon, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.

  2. Get it approved

    Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for South Ockendon and deal with any questions from the planning officer.

  3. Detail and price

    Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.

  4. Build

    Foundations, walls, floor, roof, windows, then first and second fix. We break through into the house as late as we can.

Questions about two-storey rear extensions in South Ockendon

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

Our guide for the East of England, which covers South Ockendon, is £2,060–£2,780 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 £57,500–£78,000. 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 South Ockendon?

We cover South Ockendon (RM15) and nearby places including Chafford Hundred, Grays and Upminster, plus the rest of Essex. The first site visit is free.

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

South Ockendon is in England, so England planning rules apply. 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. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

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.

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.

Nearby

We also cover places near South Ockendon, including:

Other extensions in South Ockendon

All two-storey extension services in South Ockendon · Two-storey rear extensions across Essex

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