Two-storey wraparound extensions in Belfast

Belfast: the key facts for this kind of project.

Postcode districts: BT1, BT2, BT3, BT7, BT9, BT11 and nearby districts
County / area: County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Price region: Northern Ireland
Guide price: £106,000–£145,500 (£1,890–£2,600 per m²)
Approval route: Planning permission is usually needed.
Nearest towns: Castlereagh (2.3 miles), Newtownabbey (4.4 miles), Holywood (5 miles)
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a two-storey wraparound extension

A two-storey wraparound extension suits a house with space both beside it and behind it, where you want to transform the layout rather than add a single room. You get one design for the whole L-shape, the planning application, structural design for the corner and the openings into the house, building regulations approval and the build, managed by us and carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.

We cover Belfast (BT1, BT2, BT3, BT7, BT9, BT11 and nearby districts) and the places around it, including Castlereagh (2.3 miles), Newtownabbey (4.4 miles) and Holywood.

What it costs in Belfast

In Northern Ireland, which includes Belfast, we'd expect a two-storey wraparound extension to cost around £106,000–£145,500 for an L-shaped footprint of about 28 m² wrapping the side and rear, on two floors (56 m² of new floor space), or £1,890–£2,600 per m² including VAT. Professional fees for drawings and the structural engineer are listed separately on our prices page.

Spec	Per m²	An L-shaped footprint of about 28 m² wrapping the side and rear, on two floors (56 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,740–£2,390 per m²	£97,500–£133,500
Standard	£1,890–£2,600 per m²	£106,000–£145,500
Premium	£2,270–£3,120 per m²	£127,000–£174,500

Planning and building control in Belfast

In Northern Ireland, the permitted development allowance for two-storey extensions covers rear extensions of up to 3 m that stay 7 m from the rear boundary. A wraparound adds a side element on two floors, so it normally needs a planning application. The fee is £347 per dwelling, and councils aim for an average of 15 weeks for local applications.

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 Belfast homes

Two roofs that meet

A wraparound needs the side roof and rear roof to join cleanly, often with a valley or hip where they meet. Getting pitches and ridge heights right keeps rainwater moving and avoids a bulky mass at the back corner, which neighbours and planners notice.

The corner post

At the outside corner of the L, there is no existing wall to carry the floor above. Opening the ground floor fully usually means a steel frame or a corner post, and the engineer's design sets how slim it can be. We decide early whether you want a clear corner or a visible post.

How we'd run your project

Measure and listen
A visit to Belfast 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, then consent
We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in Northern Ireland, and take it through the right consent with the council.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.
Build it
The new structure goes up first, then we open into the house, finish inside and get the completion certificate.

Questions about two-storey wraparound extensions in Belfast

Who handles building control for a project in Belfast?

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.

How long does a two-storey wraparound 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.

Do I need planning permission for a two-storey wraparound extension in Belfast?

Belfast is in Northern Ireland. Planning permission is usually needed.

How much floor space does a wraparound extension add?

It depends on the width of the side plot and the depth at the rear. Our guide prices are based on a typical wraparound with an L-shaped footprint of about 28 m² wrapping the side and rear, on two floors (56 m² of new floor space). Yours may be larger or smaller, and the measured survey shows what your plot can take.

Can I stay at home during a wraparound extension?

Many people do, but a wraparound affects two sides of the house and usually the kitchen, so there will be weeks without a full kitchen. We plan a temporary kitchen, keep a route through the house and seal off the work area. For some families, moving out while the rear wall is opened up is easier.

Nearby

We also cover places near Belfast, including:

Other extensions in Belfast

All two-storey extension services in Belfast · Two-storey wraparound extensions across County Antrim

Ready to talk it through? Call us or send the form and we'll arrange a visit to your home in Belfast.