Two-storey side extensions in Maghera

Quick reference for homeowners in Maghera.

Postcode districts: BT46
County / area: County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Price region: Northern Ireland
Guide price: £76,000–£101,500 (£1,800–£2,420 per m²)
Approval route: Planning permission is needed: permitted development side extensions in Northern Ireland can't be more than 4 m high, which rules out two storeys.
Nearest towns: Magherafelt (6.8 miles), Dungiven (11.5 miles), Cookstown (14.2 miles)
Distance to Derry: about 27.4 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.

Around Maghera we also work in Magherafelt, Dungiven and Cookstown, and across the rest of County Londonderry. Postcode district in and near Maghera: BT46.

What it costs in Maghera

For budgeting in Maghera, allow around £76,000–£101,500 for a two-storey side extension with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). That's based on £1,800–£2,420 per m² including VAT for Northern Ireland. Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.

Spec	Per m²	A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,660–£2,230 per m²	£69,500–£93,500
Standard	£1,800–£2,420 per m²	£76,000–£101,500
Premium	£2,160–£2,900 per m²	£91,000–£122,000

Planning and building control in Maghera

In Northern Ireland, permitted development for two-storey work is set out for rear extensions, so a two-storey side extension normally needs a planning application. The fee is £347 per dwelling, and councils aim for an average of 15 weeks on local applications. You also need building control approval from the council under the Technical Booklets.

Approval in Northern Ireland: Planning application for works to a house: £347. Councils aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer.

Building control: Building control approval from the local council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), using the Technical Booklets.

Design points for Maghera 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.

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.

How we'd run your project

Free site visit
We visit your home in Maghera, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Maghera and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.
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 Maghera

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

Our guide for Northern Ireland, which covers Maghera, is £1,800–£2,420 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 £76,000–£101,500. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Who handles building control for a project in Maghera?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Northern Ireland: building control approval from the local council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), using the Technical Booklets. 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 Maghera?

We cover Maghera (BT46) and nearby places including Magherafelt, Dungiven and Cookstown, plus the rest of County Londonderry. The first site visit is free.

How long does a two-storey side extension take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer), 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.

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 Maghera, including:

Other extensions in Maghera

All two-storey extension services in Maghera · Two-storey side extensions across County Londonderry

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.