Two-storey side extensions in Arnold

The basics for Arnold at a glance.

Postcode districts: NG4, NG5 and NG14
County / area: Nottinghamshire, England
Price region: East Midlands
Guide price: £84,500–£113,000 (£2,010–£2,700 per m²)
Approval route: Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
Nearest towns: Basford (3.1 miles), Nottingham (3.3 miles), Hucknall (3.6 miles)
Distance to Nottingham: about 3.3 miles
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a two-storey side extension

A two-storey side extension is a new two-floor addition built into the space beside your house, often over a driveway or side passage. It typically adds one or two bedrooms upstairs and a utility, study or larger kitchen below, without giving up rear garden.

We cover postcode districts NG4, NG5 and NG14 in and around Arnold, along with neighbouring Basford, Nottingham and Hucknall.

What it costs in Arnold

A guide price for Arnold: around £84,500–£113,000 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). That works out at £2,010–£2,700 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 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,850–£2,480 per m²	£77,500–£104,000
Standard	£2,010–£2,700 per m²	£84,500–£113,000
Premium	£2,410–£3,230 per m²	£101,500–£136,000

Planning and building regulations in Arnold

In England, a two-storey side extension always needs householder planning permission, because permitted development only allows single-storey extensions beyond a side wall. The fee is £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026), and councils should decide within 8 weeks of validation. Expect them to look at set-back, roof height, gaps to the boundary and the effect on neighbours.

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 Arnold homes

Access and services

Side extensions often cover the only route to the back garden, a gas meter, soil pipes or a drain run. We plan bin and bike access, move meters and pipes where needed and check drains early, because these items affect both cost and layout.

Side windows, boundaries and gutters

Upstairs windows in the side wall face the neighbour, so they are usually obscure-glazed and fixed, or left out. Building close to the boundary also raises questions about foundations, overhanging gutters and access for maintenance, so we design the eaves and gutter to stay within your land.

How we'd run your project

Look at the house
We start in Arnold with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Choose the approval route
Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.
Technical design
We prepare the building regulations drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.
Finish and certify
Second fix, plastering and making good, then building control's final inspection and the completion paperwork.

Questions about two-storey side extensions in Arnold

Do I need planning permission for a two-storey side extension in Arnold?

Arnold is in England, so England planning rules apply. Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

Which postcodes do you cover around Arnold?

We cover Arnold (NG4, NG5 and NG14) and nearby places including Basford, Nottingham and Hucknall, plus the rest of Nottinghamshire. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Arnold?

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 much does a two-storey side extension cost in Arnold?

Our guide for the East Midlands, which covers Arnold, is £2,010–£2,700 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) comes to about £84,500–£113,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Can I build a two-storey side extension over my driveway?

Yes, if the drive is wide enough for a useful room and the council accepts the design. You may lose off-road parking, which some councils weigh up, and the foundations need to suit the ground below. We check parking, drains and meter positions at the free site visit before any drawings are prepared.

Nearby

The same service in neighbouring towns:

Other extensions in Arnold

All two-storey extension services in Arnold · Two-storey side extensions across Nottinghamshire

Tell us about your house in Arnold and we'll call you back to arrange a free, no-obligation visit.