Brandon · County Durham

Two-storey side extensions in Brandon

Our two-storey side extensions service in Brandon covers everything: measured survey, design, planning or permitted development checks, structural design, building control and the build itself.

Before you start in Brandon, here's what applies.

Postcode districts
DH7
County / area
County Durham, England
Price region
North East England
Guide price
£77,500–£104,000 (£1,840–£2,480 per m²)
Approval route
Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
Nearest towns
Durham (2.5 miles), Spennymoor (3.6 miles), Ferryhill (5.3 miles)
Distance to Darlington
about 15.8 miles
First visit
Free, no obligation

About a two-storey side extension

A two-storey side extension suits a detached or semi-detached house with a side garden, driveway or garage wide enough to build on. You get a design that sits comfortably on the street, a planning application or permitted development check depending on your nation, structural design, building regulations approval and the build itself. We manage the whole process, and the work is carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.

We cover postcode district DH7 in and around Brandon, along with neighbouring Durham, Spennymoor and Ferryhill.

What it costs in Brandon

In North East England, which includes Brandon, we'd expect a two-storey side extension to cost around £77,500–£104,000 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), or £1,840–£2,480 per m² including VAT. We'll give you a written design-stage price first, then a fixed build price once the drawings are agreed.

SpecPer m²A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential£1,700–£2,280 per m²£71,500–£95,500
Standard£1,840–£2,480 per m²£77,500–£104,000
Premium£2,210–£2,970 per m²£93,000–£124,500

Planning and building regulations in Brandon

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 Brandon 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.

Set-down and set-back

Councils usually want a two-storey side extension to look subordinate to the house. Setting the front wall back from the main front and dropping the ridge slightly below the main roof helps it read as an addition, and is often expected in local design guidance.

How we'd run your project

  1. Free site visit

    We visit your home in Brandon, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.

  2. Get it approved

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

  3. Engineer it

    Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and building control approval, all before anyone starts on site.

  4. Build and sign-off

    Vetted teams working under S&K build the extension, and we arrange the building control completion certificate at the end.

Questions about two-storey side extensions in Brandon

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

Brandon 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.

How much does a two-storey side extension cost in Brandon?

Our guide for North East England, which covers Brandon, is £1,840–£2,480 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 £77,500–£104,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

How long does a two-storey side 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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Brandon?

We cover Brandon (DH7) and nearby places including Durham, Spennymoor and Ferryhill, plus the rest of County Durham. The first site visit is free.

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

Close to Brandon? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Brandon

All two-storey extension services in Brandon · Two-storey side extensions across County Durham

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

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