Mottingham · Greater London

Two-storey side extensions in Mottingham

Adding a two-storey side extension in Mottingham 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.

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

Postcode districts
SE12
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
Eltham (0.6 miles), Kidbrooke (1.1 miles), Lee (1.5 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.

Around Mottingham we also work in Eltham, Kidbrooke and Lee, and across the rest of Greater London. Postcode district in and near Mottingham: SE12.

What it costs in Mottingham

Most of the cost of a two-storey side extension is set by its size and specification. For Mottingham 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). Steelwork for wide openings is the item most likely to move the figure; we'll know once the engineer has designed it.

SpecPer m²A 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 Mottingham

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 Mottingham 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.

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. Understand the brief

    At your home in Mottingham we agree what you need: bedroom count, bathroom, kitchen space, and how much garden you want to keep.

  2. Choose the approval route

    Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.

  3. Price it properly

    Once the engineer's calculations are in, we fix the build price in writing, with a clear list of what's included.

  4. Build and sign-off

    Vetted teams working under S&K build the extension, and we arrange the building control completion certificate at the end.

Questions about two-storey side extensions in Mottingham

Which postcodes do you cover around Mottingham?

We cover Mottingham (SE12) and nearby places including Eltham, Kidbrooke and Lee, plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Mottingham?

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.

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

Our guide for London, which covers Mottingham, 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.

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

Mottingham 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

Other towns near Mottingham:

Other extensions in Mottingham

All two-storey extension services in Mottingham · Two-storey side extensions across Greater London

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