Two-storey side extensions in Stepney

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

Postcode districts: E1
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: Limehouse (0.5 miles), Shadwell (0.7 miles), Whitechapel (1 mile)
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.

We cover Stepney (E1) and the places around it, including Limehouse (0.5 miles), Shadwell (0.7 miles) and Whitechapel.

What it costs in Stepney

Using our London rates, a two-storey side extension with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) comes to about £103,500–£138,500, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². Professional fees for drawings and the structural engineer are listed separately on our prices page.

Spec	Per m²	A 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 Stepney

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 Stepney homes

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.

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

Measure and listen
A visit to Stepney to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.
Choose the approval route
Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.
Technical design
We prepare the building regulations drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.
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 Stepney

How long does a two-storey side extension take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation), 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.

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

Stepney 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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Stepney?

We cover Stepney (E1) and nearby places including Limehouse, Shadwell and Whitechapel, plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Stepney?

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.

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

The same service in neighbouring towns:

Other extensions in Stepney

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

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