Two-storey side extensions in Solihull

Before you start in Solihull, here's what applies.

Postcode districts: B91 and B92
County / area: West Midlands, England
Price region: West Midlands
Guide price: £86,000–£115,500 (£2,050–£2,750 per m²)
Approval route: Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
Nearest towns: Shirley (West Midlands) (1.6 miles), Acocks Green (2.9 miles), Knowle (2.9 miles)
Distance to Birmingham: about 6.8 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.

Solihull sits about 6.8 miles from Birmingham. Closer to home, Shirley (West Midlands) is 1.6 miles away and Acocks Green 2.9 miles.

What it costs in Solihull

For budgeting in Solihull, allow around £86,000–£115,500 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 £2,050–£2,750 per m² including VAT for the West Midlands. 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	£1,890–£2,530 per m²	£79,000–£106,500
Standard	£2,050–£2,750 per m²	£86,000–£115,500
Premium	£2,460–£3,300 per m²	£103,500–£138,500

Planning and building regulations in Solihull

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 Solihull 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.

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.

How we'd run your project

Look at the house
We start in Solihull with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Design and approvals
We draw the extension and check it against the rules for England, then apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness, whichever fits.
Structure and building control
A structural engineer sizes the foundations and steels, and we get building regulations approval before work starts.
Finish and certify
Second fix, plastering and making good, then building control's final inspection and the completion paperwork.

Questions about two-storey side extensions in Solihull

Which postcodes do you cover around Solihull?

We cover Solihull (B91 and B92) and nearby places including Shirley (West Midlands), Acocks Green and Knowle, plus the rest of the West Midlands. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Solihull?

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 Solihull?

Solihull 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.

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

Our guide for the West Midlands, which covers Solihull, is £2,050–£2,750 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 £86,000–£115,500. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

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

Close to Solihull? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Solihull

All two-storey extension services in Solihull · Two-storey side extensions across the West Midlands

The quickest next step is a visit. We'll look at your house in Solihull and give you an honest view of the options.