Two-storey side extensions in Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands)

The basics for Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands) at a glance.

Postcode districts: IV2
County / area: The Highlands, Moray and Islands, 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: Culloden (1 mile), Inverness (2.8 miles), Nairn (12.5 miles)
Distance to Inverness: about 2.8 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 postcode district IV2 in and around Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands), along with neighbouring Culloden, Inverness and Nairn.

What it costs in Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands)

A guide price for Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands): around £81,000–£108,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). That works out at £1,930–£2,580 per m² of new floor space, including VAT at 20%. Kitchens, bathroom fittings and flooring are priced separately so you can compare like with like.

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 Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands)

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 Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands) homes

Set-down and set-back

Councils usually want a two-storey side extension to look subordinate to the house. Setting the front wall back from the main front and dropping the ridge slightly below the main roof helps it read as an addition, and is often expected in local design guidance.

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

Look at the house
We start in Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands) with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Plans, then approval
Measured survey, design, then the right approval route for your house. We explain each step before we take it.
Technical design
We prepare the building warrant drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.
Finish and certify
Second fix, plastering and making good, then the council's final building standards inspection and the completion paperwork.

Questions about two-storey side extensions in Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands)

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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands)?

We cover Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands) (IV2) and nearby places including Culloden, Inverness and Nairn, plus the rest of the Highlands, Moray and Islands. The first site visit is free.

Who handles building standards for a project in Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands)?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Scotland: 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. 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 Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands)?

Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands) 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.

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

Nearby towns we cover for two-storey side extensions:

Other extensions in Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands)

All two-storey extension services in Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands) · Two-storey side extensions across the Highlands, Moray and Islands

Tell us about your house in Westhill (Highlands, Moray and Islands) and we'll call you back to arrange a free, no-obligation visit.