Two-storey side extensions in King's Cross

What we'd confirm first for a project in King's Cross.

Postcode districts: N1C, WC1H and WC1X
County / area: Greater London, England
Price region: London
Guide price: £103,500–£138,500 (£2,460–£3,300 per m²)
Approval route: Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
Nearest towns: Barnsbury (0.7 miles), Holborn (0.9 miles), Islington (0.9 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.

We cover King's Cross (N1C, WC1H and WC1X) and the places around it, including Barnsbury (0.7 miles), Holborn (0.9 miles) and Islington.

What it costs in King's Cross

Most of the cost of a two-storey side extension is set by its size and specification. For King's Cross and the rest of London, our guide is £2,460–£3,300 per m² including VAT, so about £103,500–£138,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). Keep a contingency of around 10% for things nobody can see until the ground is opened up.

Spec	Per m²	A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£2,260–£3,040 per m²	£95,000–£127,500
Standard	£2,460–£3,300 per m²	£103,500–£138,500
Premium	£2,950–£3,960 per m²	£124,000–£166,500

Planning and building regulations in King's Cross

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 King's Cross 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.

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

Look at the house
We start in King's Cross with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Choose the approval route
Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.
Technical design
We prepare the building regulations drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.
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 King's Cross

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.

How much does a two-storey side extension cost in King's Cross?

Our guide for London, which covers King's Cross, is £2,460–£3,300 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 £103,500–£138,500. 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 King's Cross?

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.

Do I need planning permission for a two-storey side extension in King's Cross?

King's Cross 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

Nearby towns we cover for two-storey side extensions:

Other extensions in King's Cross

All two-storey extension services in King's Cross · Two-storey side extensions across Greater London

Book a free site visit in King's Cross and we'll tell you what's possible, what approvals you need and what the design stage would cost.