Two-storey side extensions in Penicuik
Our two-storey side extensions service in Penicuik covers everything: measured survey, design, planning or permitted development checks, structural design, building control and the build itself.
The basics for Penicuik at a glance.
- Postcode districts
- EH26
- County / area
- Edinburgh and the Lothians, 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
- Loanhead (4.2 miles), Colinton (5.4 miles), Bonnyrigg (5.5 miles)
- Distance to Edinburgh
- about 8.4 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, a building warrant and the build itself. We manage the whole process, and the work is carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.
We cover postcode district EH26 in and around Penicuik, along with neighbouring Loanhead, Colinton and Bonnyrigg.
What it costs in Penicuik
Most of the cost of a two-storey side extension is set by its size and specification. For Penicuik and the rest of Scotland, our guide is £1,930–£2,580 per m² including VAT, so about £81,000–£108,500 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 | £1,770–£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 Penicuik
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 Penicuik 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
Measure and listen
A visit to Penicuik to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.
Drawings and permission
Our designers produce plans and elevations, then we take care of planning or permitted development checks with the council covering Penicuik.
Engineer it
Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and a building warrant, all before anyone starts on site.
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 Penicuik
Which postcodes do you cover around Penicuik?
We cover Penicuik (EH26) and nearby places including Loanhead, Colinton and Bonnyrigg, plus the rest of Edinburgh and the Lothians. The first site visit is free.
Do I need planning permission for a two-storey side extension in Penicuik?
Penicuik 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.
How much does a two-storey side extension cost in Penicuik?
Our guide for Scotland, which covers Penicuik, is £1,930–£2,580 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 £81,000–£108,500. 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 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.
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 Penicuik, including:
Other extensions in Penicuik
- 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 Penicuik · Two-storey side extensions across Edinburgh and the Lothians
Book a free site visit in Penicuik and we'll tell you what's possible, what approvals you need and what the design stage would cost.