Two-storey rear extensions in Tottenham
Want to stay in Tottenham 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.
What we'd confirm first for a project in Tottenham.
- Postcode districts
- N17 and N18
- County / area
- Greater London, England
- Price region
- London
- Guide price
- £67,000–£90,500 (£2,400–£3,240 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
- Tottenham Hale (0.8 miles), Edmonton (1.6 miles), Southgate (1.6 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 Tottenham (N17 and N18) and the places around it, including Tottenham Hale (0.8 miles), Edmonton (1.6 miles) and Southgate.
What it costs in Tottenham
Guide prices for two-storey rear extensions in London are around £2,400–£3,240 per m² of new floor space, including VAT. For a typical project with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space), that's roughly £67,000–£90,500. 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 | £2,210–£2,980 per m² | £62,000–£83,500 |
| Standard | £2,400–£3,240 per m² | £67,000–£90,500 |
| Premium | £2,880–£3,890 per m² | £80,500–£109,000 |
Planning and building regulations in Tottenham
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 Tottenham 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.
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.
How we'd run your project
Look at the house
We start in Tottenham 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 Tottenham 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 Tottenham
Who handles building regulations for a project in Tottenham?
We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in England: building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end. 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 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 Tottenham?
Our guide for London, which covers Tottenham, is £2,400–£3,240 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 £67,000–£90,500. 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
The same service in neighbouring towns:
Other extensions in Tottenham
- Side
- Wraparound
- Part two-storey
- Over a garage
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Tottenham · Two-storey rear extensions across Greater London
Want a figure first? Try our guide price tool, then book a free visit to firm it up.