Shortlands · Greater London

Two-storey wraparound extensions in Shortlands

Want to stay in Shortlands but need more space? A two-storey wraparound extension adds floor area on two levels without giving up much garden. Here's what's involved.

Useful details for planning a two-storey wraparound extension in Shortlands.

Postcode districts
BR2
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
Bromley (0.6 miles), Beckenham (1.4 miles), Bickley (1.8 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 postcode district BR2 in and around Shortlands, along with neighbouring Bromley, Beckenham and Bickley.

What it costs in Shortlands

In London, which includes Shortlands, we'd expect a two-storey wraparound extension to cost 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), or £2,580–£3,540 per m² including VAT. We'll give you a written design-stage price first, then a fixed build price once the drawings are agreed.

SpecPer m²An 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 Shortlands

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 Shortlands 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

  1. Measure and listen

    A visit to Shortlands to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.

  2. Plans, then approval

    Measured survey, design, then the right approval route for your house. We explain each step before we take it.

  3. Detail and price

    Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.

  4. 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 Shortlands

Who handles building regulations for a project in Shortlands?

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.

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

Shortlands 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.

Is a wraparound extension better than separate side and rear extensions?

Building both at once usually costs less than two separate projects, because you pay for one set-up, one scaffold, one roof junction and one set of approvals. It also lets the layout be designed as a whole. The trade-off is a larger single outlay and a longer build, often 16 to 24 weeks at this size.

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

Other towns near Shortlands:

Other extensions in Shortlands

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

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.

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