Two-storey side extensions in Newtownards
Thinking about a two-storey side extension in Newtownards? We design it, take it through the approvals it needs and build it, with one team responsible from the first visit to the final certificate.
What we'd confirm first for a project in Newtownards.
- Postcode districts
- BT22
- County / area
- County Down, 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
- Comber (3.6 miles), Dundonald (4.3 miles), Bangor (County Down) (4.8 miles)
- Distance to Bangor (County Down)
- about 4.8 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.
We cover Newtownards (BT22) and the places around it, including Comber (3.6 miles), Dundonald (4.3 miles) and Bangor (County Down).
What it costs in Newtownards
Most of the cost of a two-storey side extension is set by its size and specification. For Newtownards and the rest of Northern Ireland, our guide is £1,800–£2,420 per m² including VAT, so about £76,000–£101,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). 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 Newtownards
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 Newtownards 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.
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
Free site visit
We visit your home in Newtownards, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.
Drawings, then consent
We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in Northern Ireland, and take it through the right consent with the council.
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.
Build
Foundations, walls, floor, roof, windows, then first and second fix. We break through into the house as late as we can.
Questions about two-storey side extensions in Newtownards
Do I need planning permission for a two-storey side extension in Newtownards?
Newtownards is in Northern Ireland. Planning permission is needed: permitted development side extensions in Northern Ireland can't be more than 4 m high, which rules out two storeys.
How much does a two-storey side extension cost in Newtownards?
Our guide for Northern Ireland, which covers Newtownards, 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.
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.
Who handles building control for a project in Newtownards?
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.
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 Newtownards, including:
Other extensions in Newtownards
- Rear
- Wraparound
- Part two-storey
- Over a garage
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Newtownards · Two-storey side extensions across County Down
Tell us about your house in Newtownards and we'll call you back to arrange a free, no-obligation visit.