Two-storey wraparound extensions in Orpington

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

Postcode districts: BR5 and BR6
County / area: Greater London, England
Price region: London
Guide price: £144,500–£198,000 (£2,580–£3,540 per m²)
Approval route: Planning permission is needed: the side part takes it outside permitted development in England.
Nearest towns: Farnborough (Greater London) (1.6 miles), Chelsfield (1.7 miles), Bickley (2.9 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. In England it needs planning permission, because the side part is more than one storey.

We cover Orpington (BR5 and BR6) and the places around it, including Farnborough (Greater London) (1.6 miles), Chelsfield (1.7 miles) and Bickley.

What it costs in Orpington

Expect a two-storey wraparound extension in Orpington to land somewhere around £144,500–£198,000 for an L-shaped footprint of about 28 m² wrapping the side and rear, on two floors (56 m² of new floor space). Our London guide rate is £2,580–£3,540 per m², including VAT. Steelwork for wide openings is the item most likely to move the figure; we'll know once the engineer has designed it.

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	£2,370–£3,260 per m²	£133,000–£182,500
Standard	£2,580–£3,540 per m²	£144,500–£198,000
Premium	£3,100–£4,250 per m²	£173,500–£238,000

Planning and building regulations in Orpington

In England, a two-storey wraparound extension needs householder planning permission, because any extension beyond a side wall must be single storey to be permitted development. The application costs £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026). Councils weigh the side part against the street scene and the rear part against neighbours' light and outlook, and should decide within 8 weeks of validation.

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 Orpington 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.

Daylight to the middle

A deep L-shaped plan can leave the middle of the ground floor dark, because the old rear rooms are now enclosed. We use wide rear openings, a well-placed stair and, where part of the extension is single storey, roof lights, while keeping total glazing within the Part L allowance.

How we'd run your project

Look at the house
We start in Orpington with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Drawings, then consent
We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in England, and take it through the right consent with the council.
Fixed price in writing
With approved drawings and calculations, we give you a fixed build price and a programme you can plan around.
Build
Foundations, walls, floor, roof, windows, then first and second fix. We break through into the house as late as we can.

Questions about two-storey wraparound extensions in Orpington

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

Orpington is in England, so England planning rules apply. Planning permission is needed: the side part takes it outside permitted development in England. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

How long does a two-storey wraparound 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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Orpington?

We cover Orpington (BR5 and BR6) and nearby places including Farnborough (Greater London), Chelsfield and Bickley, plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.

Does a wraparound extension need steel?

Almost always. Opening the corner of the house and the old rear wall to make one open-plan space means steel beams, and often a steel post or frame at the outside corner. The structural engineer sizes these, and the steel is ordered once the design is fixed, which is one reason a wraparound needs careful sequencing.

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 Orpington, including:

Other extensions in Orpington

All two-storey extension services in Orpington · Two-storey wraparound extensions across Greater London

Book a free site visit in Orpington and we'll tell you what's possible, what approvals you need and what the design stage would cost.