Caol · Highlands, Moray and Islands

Two-storey side extensions in Caol

If you live in Caol and need more room without moving, a two-storey side extension is worth a serious look. We handle the drawings, approvals, structure and build.

We take on projects in Caol by arrangement. Site visits here aren't free as standard, and we'll agree travel costs with you in writing first.

The basics for Caol at a glance.

Postcode districts
PH34
County / area
The Highlands, Moray and Islands, Scotland
Price region
Scotland
Guide price
£81,000–£108,500 (£1,930–£2,580 per m²)
Approval route
Planning permission is usually needed: Class 1B permitted development only applies if every part of the extension is at least 10 m from all boundaries. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
Nearest towns
Fort William (1.5 miles), Oban (32.4 miles), Pitlochry (52.5 miles)
Distance to Inverness
about 55.2 miles
First visit
By arrangement

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 district PH34 in and around Caol, along with neighbouring Fort William, Oban and Pitlochry.

What it costs in Caol

Our guide for Scotland is £1,930–£2,580 per m² including VAT. On a project with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), that puts a two-storey side extension in Caol at roughly £81,000–£108,500. Keep a contingency of around 10% for things nobody can see until the ground is opened up.

SpecPer m²A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential£1,770–£2,380 per m²£74,500–£100,000
Standard£1,930–£2,580 per m²£81,000–£108,500
Premium£2,310–£3,100 per m²£97,000–£130,500

Planning and building standards in Caol

In Scotland, a two-storey side extension is only permitted development under Class 1B if no part is within 10 m of any boundary and it is not on an elevation fronting a road. Side extensions rarely meet this, so plan for a householder application (£371, decided within two months) and a building warrant from the council before work starts.

Approval in Scotland: Householder planning application: £371. Councils have two months to decide a local planning application.

Building standards: A building warrant from the council's building standards service before work starts, and a completion certificate at the end. Scotland uses its own Technical Handbooks.

Design points for Caol 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.

Avoiding a terracing effect

Where semi-detached houses sit close together, side extensions on neighbouring houses can join up and turn a row of pairs into a terrace. Many councils ask for a gap to the boundary at first floor to stop this, so we check local guidance before fixing the width.

How we'd run your project

  1. Visit by arrangement

    We agree a visit to your home in Caol and any travel costs with you in writing first, then look at the structure, access and boundaries.

  2. Drawings, then consent

    We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in Scotland, and take it through the right consent with the council.

  3. Structure and building standards

    A structural engineer sizes the foundations and steels, and we get a building warrant before work starts.

  4. Build and sign-off

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

Questions about two-storey side extensions in Caol

How long does a two-storey side extension take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils have two months to decide a local planning application), 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 Caol?

We cover Caol (PH34) and nearby places including Fort William, Oban and Pitlochry, plus the rest of the Highlands, Moray and Islands. Visits and projects in Caol are by arrangement, with travel costs agreed in writing first.

Who handles building standards for a project in Caol?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Scotland: a building warrant from the council's building standards service before work starts, and a completion certificate at the end. Scotland uses its own Technical Handbooks. 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 Caol?

Our guide for Scotland, which covers Caol, is £1,930–£2,580 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 £81,000–£108,500. 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 site visit before any drawings are prepared.

Nearby

Nearby towns we cover for two-storey side extensions:

Other extensions in Caol

All two-storey extension services in Caol · Two-storey side extensions across the Highlands, Moray and Islands

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.

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