Hastings · East Sussex

Two-storey side extensions in Hastings

Adding a two-storey side extension in Hastings gives you two new rooms stacked on one footprint. Here's how we'd approach it, what it typically costs and the rules that apply in England.

Quick reference for homeowners in Hastings.

Postcode districts
TN31, TN34, TN35 and TN36
County / area
East Sussex, England
Price region
South East England
Guide price
£94,500–£127,000 (£2,260–£3,030 per m²)
Approval route
Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
Nearest towns
St Leonards-on-Sea (1.5 miles), Bexhill-on-Sea (4.8 miles), Hailsham (14.1 miles)
Distance to Brighton
about 31.5 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.

Hastings sits about 31.5 miles from Brighton. Closer to home, St Leonards-on-Sea is 1.5 miles away and Bexhill-on-Sea 4.8 miles.

What it costs in Hastings

A guide price for Hastings: around £94,500–£127,000 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). That works out at £2,260–£3,030 per m² of new floor space, including VAT at 20%. 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£2,070–£2,780 per m²£87,000–£117,000
Standard£2,260–£3,030 per m²£94,500–£127,000
Premium£2,710–£3,630 per m²£113,500–£152,500

Planning and building regulations in Hastings

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 Hastings 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. Start at your house

    We come to your home in Hastings, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.

  2. Get it approved

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

  3. Structure and building control

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

  4. On site

    One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.

Questions about two-storey side extensions in Hastings

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 Hastings?

We cover Hastings (TN31, TN34, TN35 and TN36) and nearby places including St Leonards-on-Sea, Bexhill-on-Sea and Hailsham, plus the rest of East Sussex. The first site visit is free.

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

Hastings 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 Hastings?

Our guide for South East England, which covers Hastings, is £2,260–£3,030 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 £94,500–£127,000. 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 free site visit before any drawings are prepared.

Nearby

We also cover places near Hastings, including:

Other extensions in Hastings

All two-storey extension services in Hastings · Two-storey side extensions across East Sussex

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

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