Kelso · Scottish Borders

Two-storey side extensions in Kelso

For a two-storey side extension in Kelso, the first questions are always the same: how big, which approvals, and what it will cost. This page answers all three for the Scottish Borders.

Quick reference for homeowners in Kelso.

Postcode districts
TD3, TD5 and TD10
County / area
The Scottish Borders, 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
Jedburgh (9.4 miles), Galashiels (14.6 miles), Selkirk (16.2 miles)
Distance to Hawick
about 18.4 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.

Kelso sits about 18.4 miles from Hawick. Closer to home, Jedburgh is 9.4 miles away and Galashiels 14.6 miles.

What it costs in Kelso

Expect a two-storey side extension in Kelso 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 Kelso

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 Kelso homes

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.

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.

How we'd run your project

  1. Measure and listen

    A visit to Kelso to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.

  2. Design and approvals

    We draw the extension and check it against the rules for Scotland, then apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness, whichever fits.

  3. Engineer it

    Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and a building warrant, all before anyone starts on site.

  4. 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 Kelso

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

Kelso 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.

Who handles building standards for a project in Kelso?

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 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 Kelso?

We cover Kelso (TD3, TD5 and TD10) and nearby places including Jedburgh, Galashiels and Selkirk, plus the rest of the Scottish Borders. 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 Kelso? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Kelso

All two-storey extension services in Kelso · Two-storey side extensions across the Scottish Borders

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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