Two-storey wraparound extensions in Helensburgh

The basics for Helensburgh at a glance.

Postcode districts: G84
County / area: Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Price region: Scotland
Guide price: £113,000–£155,500 (£2,020–£2,770 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: Greenock (4.2 miles), Gourock (4.7 miles), Port Glasgow (5.1 miles)
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a two-storey wraparound extension

A two-storey wraparound extension is an L-shaped addition that extends both the side and the rear of your house, on two floors. It gives one of the largest gains in floor space of any extension, typically a big open-plan kitchen and living area below and two or more bedrooms or bathrooms above.

We cover postcode district G84 in and around Helensburgh, along with neighbouring Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow.

What it costs in Helensburgh

In Scotland, which includes Helensburgh, we'd expect a two-storey wraparound extension to cost around £113,000–£155,500 for an L-shaped footprint of about 28 m² wrapping the side and rear, on two floors (56 m² of new floor space), or £2,020–£2,770 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	£1,860–£2,550 per m²	£104,000–£143,000
Standard	£2,020–£2,770 per m²	£113,000–£155,500
Premium	£2,430–£3,330 per m²	£136,000–£186,500

Planning and building standards in Helensburgh

In Scotland, a two-storey wraparound would need to be at least 10 m from every boundary to be permitted development under Class 1B, and not on an elevation fronting a road. That is rarely possible, so plan for a householder planning application, which costs £371 and is decided within two months, followed by a building warrant 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 Helensburgh homes

Phasing the build

A wraparound touches two sides of the house at once, so the kitchen and often the rear rooms are out of use for part of the build. We plan the sequence so you keep a working kitchen and bathroom for as long as possible, or advise when moving out briefly makes sense.

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

Start at your house
We come to your home in Helensburgh, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Helensburgh and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Technical design
We prepare the building warrant drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.
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 Helensburgh

Who handles building standards for a project in Helensburgh?

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.

How long does a two-storey wraparound 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.

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

Helensburgh 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 a wraparound extension be part single, part two-storey?

Yes. Many wraparounds keep the rear part single storey with roof lights over the kitchen and put the two-storey part to the side. This can reduce the effect on neighbours and the cost. We set out both options at the design stage, so you can compare floor space against price before choosing.

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.

Nearby

The same service in neighbouring towns:

Other extensions in Helensburgh

All two-storey extension services in Helensburgh · Two-storey wraparound extensions across Argyll and Bute

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