Dunbar · Edinburgh and the Lothians

Two-storey side extensions in Dunbar

We plan and build two-storey side extensions for homeowners in Dunbar and nearby. Every project starts with a free visit and a design stage priced in writing before any work begins.

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

Postcode districts
EH42
County / area
Edinburgh and the Lothians, 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
North Berwick (9 miles), Haddington (10.8 miles), Tranent (17.4 miles)
Distance to Edinburgh
about 26.6 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, a building warrant and the build itself. We manage the whole process, and the work is carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.

Around Dunbar we also work in North Berwick, Haddington and Tranent, and across the rest of Edinburgh and the Lothians. Postcode district in and near Dunbar: EH42.

What it costs in Dunbar

Expect a two-storey side extension in Dunbar to land somewhere around £81,000–£108,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). Our Scotland guide rate is £1,930–£2,580 per m², including VAT. Kitchens, bathroom fittings and flooring are priced separately so you can compare like with like.

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 Dunbar

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 Dunbar homes

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.

Matching the ridge and roof

A hipped house usually needs a hipped extension roof, and a gabled house a gable. Matching the pitch, tiles, ridge detail and brick bond is what makes a side extension look original rather than added, and councils look closely at it on a front-facing addition.

How we'd run your project

  1. Look at the house

    We start in Dunbar with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.

  2. Choose the approval route

    Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in Scotland before drawing in detail.

  3. Fixed price in writing

    With approved drawings and calculations, we give you a fixed build price and a programme you can plan around.

  4. Build it

    The new structure goes up first, then we open into the house, finish inside and get the completion certificate.

Questions about two-storey side extensions in Dunbar

Who handles building standards for a project in Dunbar?

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 Dunbar?

Our guide for Scotland, which covers Dunbar, 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.

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

Dunbar is in Scotland. 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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Dunbar?

We cover Dunbar (EH42) and nearby places including North Berwick, Haddington and Tranent, plus the rest of Edinburgh and the Lothians. 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 Dunbar? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Dunbar

All two-storey extension services in Dunbar · Two-storey side extensions across Edinburgh and the Lothians

Want a figure first? Try our guide price tool, then book a free visit to firm it up.

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