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.
If you have a double-storey extension on your list for a property in Altrincham, we can help from the first measurements to the final clean-up. For a typical home, plan for 14–22 weeks on site, though larger or more complex jobs take longer. We cover postcodes M33, WA14 and WA15 and nearby Sale, Urmston and Stretford, and every quote we send is fixed for the scope described in it.
- Guide price
- £57,000–£114,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 14–22 weeks on site
- Postcodes
- M33, WA14 and WA15
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Trafford
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a double-storey extension cost in Altrincham?
The table below shows guide prices for a double-storey extension in Altrincham. They are based on rates in the North West, which run about 5% below the national guide, giving an overall range of £57,000–£114,000. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Altrincham |
|---|---|---|
| Small (15–20m² total) | A compact rear or side extension adding a small room on each floor. | £38,000–£62,000 |
| Typical (30–40m² total) | A larger kitchen or living room below with a double bedroom or en-suite above. | £57,000–£114,000 |
| Large (50m² plus total) | Wide or deep extensions, often with a new bathroom, steelwork and high-spec glazing. | £95,000–£171,000 |
What moves the price up or down:
- Combined floor area across both storeys
- How the new roof joins the existing roof
- Bathrooms, en-suites and plumbing on the upper floor
- Scaffolding duration, access and the level of finishes
What does the job include in Altrincham?
- Insulated cavity walls with brick or render to match the house
- Roof structure tied into the existing roof, tiled to match
- Scaffolding for the full build, erected and inspected
- Electrics, plumbing and heating by qualified trades, with certificates
- Windows, external doors, plastering and internal doors
- Building control inspections and completion certificate
Building in Altrincham
Rows of Victorian red-brick terraces fill much of Manchester, Salford and the mill towns, with stone terraces in the Pennine fringes around Oldham and Saddleworth. South Manchester has Edwardian semis and villas, Wythenshawe was built as a large interwar garden suburb, and city-centre apartments and new estates continue to grow.
Two-up two-down terraces commonly suit loft conversions, kitchen extensions and kitchen refits. Many need repointing and roof work, while semis in the suburbs often take side extensions, driveways and replacement windows.
So when we survey a Altrincham property for a double-storey extension, the first step is working out how it was built and what has been changed since.
Planning and building rules in Altrincham
The notes below cover England, which is where Altrincham sits. Rules change and every property is different, so we speak to the council before pricing your job.
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
Survey and measure
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price a double-storey extension properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Quote in writing
After the survey we send a quote for a double-storey extension that fixes the price for the scope we've agreed. If you want to change materials or scope, we revise it in writing before anything is booked.
Dates and permissions
Preparation matters as much as the build. We agree access, parking and working hours with you, order materials in good time, and confirm any permissions so the job isn't held up once it starts.
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.
What you can expect from us
Common questions
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.
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.
Is a double-storey extension better value than single-storey?
A double-storey extension usually gives better value per square metre than a single-storey one, because the same foundations and roof serve twice the floor area. The overall cost is higher, and planning can be harder because of the effect on neighbours. If you might want an extra bedroom later, building both floors now avoids a second round of disruption and scaffolding.
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.
Do I need planning permission in Altrincham?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Altrincham is in England, so England's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
Also covering areas around Altrincham
Addresses in M33, WA14 and WA15 are all covered for Altrincham, along with Sale, Urmston and Stretford close by. Give us your postcode when you get in touch and we will confirm the details.

