Two-storey side extensions in Culmore

What we'd confirm first for a project in Culmore.

Postcode districts: BT48
County / area: County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Price region: Northern Ireland
Guide price: £76,000–£101,500 (£1,800–£2,420 per m²)
Approval route: Planning permission is needed: permitted development side extensions in Northern Ireland can't be more than 4 m high, which rules out two storeys.
Nearest towns: Derry (4 miles), Eglinton (4 miles), New Buildings (7.1 miles)
Distance to Derry: about 4 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.

Around Culmore we also work in Derry, Eglinton and New Buildings, and across the rest of County Londonderry. Postcode district in and near Culmore: BT48.

What it costs in Culmore

Using our Northern Ireland rates, a two-storey side extension with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) comes to about £76,000–£101,500, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². We'll give you a written design-stage price first, then a fixed build price once the drawings are agreed.

Spec	Per m²	A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,660–£2,230 per m²	£69,500–£93,500
Standard	£1,800–£2,420 per m²	£76,000–£101,500
Premium	£2,160–£2,900 per m²	£91,000–£122,000

Planning and building control in Culmore

In Northern Ireland, permitted development for two-storey work is set out for rear extensions, so a two-storey side extension normally needs a planning application. The fee is £347 per dwelling, and councils aim for an average of 15 weeks on local applications. You also need building control approval from the council under the Technical Booklets.

Approval in Northern Ireland: Planning application for works to a house: £347. Councils aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer.

Building control: Building control approval from the local council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), using the Technical Booklets.

Design points for Culmore 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

Visit and first ideas
One of our team visits your house in Culmore, checks the walls, roof and drains, and sketches out options with you.
Drawings, then consent
We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in Northern Ireland, and take it through the right consent with the council.
Engineer it
Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and building control approval, all before anyone starts on site.
Build and hand over
We manage the build from groundworks to decoration-ready finish and hand over with the completion paperwork.

Questions about two-storey side extensions in Culmore

Which postcodes do you cover around Culmore?

We cover Culmore (BT48) and nearby places including Derry, Eglinton and New Buildings, plus the rest of County Londonderry. The first site visit is free.

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

Culmore is in Northern Ireland. Planning permission is needed: permitted development side extensions in Northern Ireland can't be more than 4 m high, which rules out two storeys.

Who handles building control for a project in Culmore?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Northern Ireland: building control approval from the local council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), using the Technical Booklets. 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 side extension take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer), 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.

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

Nearby towns we cover for two-storey side extensions:

Other extensions in Culmore

All two-storey extension services in Culmore · Two-storey side extensions across County Londonderry

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