A double-storey extension adds two floors of new space to your house in one build, typically a larger kitchen or living room downstairs with an extra bedroom, bathroom or en-suite above, sharing one set of foundations and one roof.
We take on a double-storey extension throughout Gloucester and the surrounding GL1, GL2 and GL4 postcodes, as well as in Cheltenham, Stroud and Tewkesbury. The guide range for this work in the South West is £61,000–£122,000 including VAT; where your project falls depends on its size, the materials you pick and how easy the site is to reach. A free survey turns that range into a fixed figure.
- Guide price
- £61,000–£122,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 14–22 weeks on site
- Postcodes
- GL1, GL2 and GL4
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Gloucestershire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a double-storey extension cost in Gloucester?
No two jobs cost exactly the same, but the ranges below give a fair picture of a double-storey extension in Gloucester. Pricing for the South West runs about 2% above the national guide, and the overall guide is £61,000–£122,000 with VAT included. We'll confirm your figure after surveying the property for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Gloucester |
|---|---|---|
| Small (15–20m² total) | A compact rear or side extension adding a small room on each floor. | £41,000–£66,000 |
| Typical (30–40m² total) | A larger kitchen or living room below with a double bedroom or en-suite above. | £61,000–£122,000 |
| Large (50m² plus total) | Wide or deep extensions, often with a new bathroom, steelwork and high-spec glazing. | £102,000–£184,000 |
What moves the price up or down:
- Combined floor area across both storeys
- Bathrooms, en-suites and plumbing on the upper floor
- Foundation depth, ground conditions and drains to divert
- Scaffolding duration, access and the level of finishes
Scope of the work
- Groundworks, foundations and below-ground drainage
- Insulated cavity walls with brick or render to match the house
- First-floor joists, stud walls and new openings upstairs
- Roof structure tied into the existing roof, tiled to match
- Electrics, plumbing and heating by qualified trades, with certificates
- Windows, external doors, plastering and internal doors
Homes in Gloucestershire
Golden Cotswold limestone defines towns and villages such as Cirencester, Stow and Tetbury, often with stone-slate roofs. Cheltenham is known for Regency stucco terraces and villas, Gloucester has Victorian brick terraces and interwar estates, the Stroud valleys have mill-era stone cottages, and the Forest of Dean uses its own sandstone.
The Cotswold escarpment is exposed to wind and rain, while low ground along the Severn has a well-known flood risk.
So when we survey a Gloucester property for a double-storey extension, the first step is working out how it was built and what has been changed since.
Permissions for a double-storey extension in Gloucester
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. Gloucester comes under England, covered below, and we raise any questions with the council before your quote is finalised.
In England, a two-storey rear extension can only be permitted development if it is no more than 3 m deep, at least 7 m from the rear boundary and finished to match the house. Most double-storey and all two-storey side extensions need full planning permission.
Building Regulations approval is needed, with structural calculations for beams, foundations and the roof. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 often applies on semi-detached and terraced houses.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
From survey to handover
We look at the job
It starts with a survey at the property, free of charge. We check condition, access and services, ask how you want the finished result to look, and answer any questions you have about a double-storey extension.
Your fixed price
You get the price in writing, itemised so you can see where the money goes. As long as the specification stays the same, that is the price you pay for a double-storey extension.
Dates and permissions
Once you accept, we agree start dates, order materials and deal with any planning, building control or neighbour notices the job needs. You'll know who is coming and when before work begins.
The work itself
On site, the agreed plan is followed and any change is put in writing first. At completion we do a final clean, go through the snagging list with you and leave you with the relevant documents.
Why homeowners choose us
Questions about a double-storey extension in Gloucester
What happens at the survey?
We visit your home at a time that suits you, look at the area involved, take measurements and check access, condition and any services that might be affected. We talk through what you want from a double-storey extension, explain the options and answer questions. There is no charge and no obligation; afterwards we send a written quote.
Will the extension affect my neighbours?
A double-storey extension can affect neighbours' light, outlook and privacy, which is why planning departments look closely at height, depth and window positions. Side windows facing neighbours often need obscure glass. Work near a shared wall may also need party wall notices; the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies in England and Wales only. We talk through these points early so the design is realistic.
How long will a double-storey extension take?
On a typical home, allow 14–22 weeks on site. Larger projects, older buildings and extra work found once things are opened up can extend that, while simpler jobs may be shorter. Your quote includes an estimate of time on site, and your point of contact keeps you updated on the programme as the work progresses.
Do I need planning permission for a two-storey extension?
Most two-storey extensions need planning permission, but it depends on the size, height and position, your home's location, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you are in. In England, a two-storey rear extension can sometimes be built under permitted development if it is no deeper than 3m and at least 7m from the rear boundary. We check what applies before quoting.
How much does a double-storey extension cost?
A typical double-storey extension of 30–40m² across both floors costs £61,000–£122,000, built to a plastered finish. As a rough guide, allow around £1,400–£2,600 per square metre plus fixed costs for groundworks, scaffolding and fees. The second storey usually costs less per square metre than the first, because foundations and roof are shared. Bathrooms upstairs and a complex roof add most. We confirm a fixed price after the survey.
Also covering areas around Gloucester
Homes across GL1, GL2 and GL4 in Gloucester are within our coverage, as are those in Cheltenham, Stroud and Tewkesbury. If you are just outside these areas, ask anyway, because we work right across the UK.