Frome · Somerset

Two-storey side extensions in Frome

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

Useful details for planning a two-storey side extension in Frome.

Postcode districts
BA11
County / area
Somerset, England
Price region
South West England
Guide price
£88,500–£119,000 (£2,110–£2,830 per m²)
Approval route
Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
Nearest towns
Westbury (6.2 miles), Warminster (6.4 miles), Trowbridge (8 miles)
Distance to Bath
about 10.3 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 district BA11 in and around Frome, along with neighbouring Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge.

What it costs in Frome

Guide prices for two-storey side extensions in South West England are around £2,110–£2,830 per m² of new floor space, including VAT. For a typical project with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), that's roughly £88,500–£119,000. The fastest way to a firmer number is a free site visit, after which we price the design stage in writing.

SpecPer m²A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential£1,940–£2,610 per m²£81,500–£109,500
Standard£2,110–£2,830 per m²£88,500–£119,000
Premium£2,530–£3,400 per m²£106,500–£143,000

Planning and building regulations in Frome

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 Frome homes

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.

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. Look at the house

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

  2. Drawings, then consent

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

  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 Frome

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

Our guide for South West England, which covers Frome, is £2,110–£2,830 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 £88,500–£119,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Frome?

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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Frome?

We cover Frome (BA11) and nearby places including Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge, plus the rest of Somerset. The first site visit is free.

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

Frome 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.

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 Frome? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Frome

All two-storey extension services in Frome · Two-storey side extensions across Somerset

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

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