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.
For a homeowner in Hereford, planning a double-storey extension tends to begin with two questions: what will it cost, and how disruptive will it be? Our guide range is £59,000–£118,000 including VAT, and a typical job runs to 14–22 weeks on site. Both numbers firm up once we have seen the property, measured up and agreed exactly what is included.
- Guide price
- £59,000–£118,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 14–22 weeks on site
- Postcodes
- HR1
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Herefordshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Double-storey extensions prices in Hereford
Use the table to gauge the cost of a double-storey extension in Hereford before we visit. Figures include VAT and are scaled for the West Midlands, coming out about 2% below the national guide, which gives £59,000–£118,000 overall. After a free survey, you receive a fixed written price.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Hereford |
|---|---|---|
| Small (15–20m² total) | A compact rear or side extension adding a small room on each floor. | £39,000–£64,000 |
| Typical (30–40m² total) | A larger kitchen or living room below with a double bedroom or en-suite above. | £59,000–£118,000 |
| Large (50m² plus total) | Wide or deep extensions, often with a new bathroom, steelwork and high-spec glazing. | £98,000–£176,000 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- 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
- 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
- Scaffolding for the full build, erected and inspected
- Windows, external doors, plastering and internal doors
- Building control inspections and completion certificate
Homes in Herefordshire
Herefordshire is known for black-and-white timber-framed buildings, especially in villages around Weobley, Pembridge and Eardisland. Old Red Sandstone is used widely in churches, farmhouses and walls, Hereford has Victorian terraces and interwar suburbs, and market towns such as Leominster, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye mix historic centres with newer estates.
Timber-framed and sandstone properties often need lime plaster, breathable finishes and careful roof repairs. Town terraces suit loft conversions and rear extensions, and rural homes commonly add porches, driveways and fencing.
Whatever era your Hereford home dates from, we plan a double-storey extension around how it is actually built rather than a one-size-fits-all specification.
Permissions for a double-storey extension in Hereford
Hereford is in England, so the planning and building rules set out below are the ones that apply. We confirm the details with the council before we quote.
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
We begin by looking at the job in person. During the free survey we discuss options, materials and budget for a double-storey extension, and photograph or measure anything the quote needs to reflect.
Price and scope agreed
We put everything into a written, fixed-price quote: the specification, what's excluded, staged payments and the expected time on site. Take whatever time you need to decide; there's no pressure to commit.
Getting ready
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.
Finish and handover
Our trades complete a double-storey extension while your point of contact keeps you updated. When everything is finished, we clear the site, take away waste and go through the result with you before handover.
How we work
Double-storey extensions in Hereford: questions
How long does a double-storey extension take?
A double-storey extension typically takes 14–22 weeks on site, depending on size, roof design and weather. Foundations and ground-floor walls come first, then the first-floor joists, upper walls and roof. Once it is weathertight, electrics, plumbing, plastering and finishes follow. Allow extra time beforehand for drawings, calculations and approvals. We give you a stage-by-stage programme with your quote.
Can we live at home while it is built?
Most families stay at home during a double-storey extension. The new structure is built outside first, and we only break through into the existing rooms near the end, usually one floor at a time. Upstairs, this may mean a bedroom is out of use for a week or two. We fit dust screens, protect floors and stairs, and plan any time without water or power in advance.
Can you combine a double-storey extension with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan a double-storey extension alongside other work on your Hereford home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
Do I need planning permission in Hereford?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Hereford 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.
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.
Near Hereford
We welcome enquiries from all HR1 postcodes in Hereford, plus Ross-on-Wye, Leominster and Ledbury. Each one gets the same survey at no charge and a written price fixed for the work described.