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.
Homeowners in Larkhall usually consider a double-storey extension for one of a few reasons: something has worn out, the house no longer suits the way they live, or they are getting it ready to sell. We visit, agree a specification and put a fixed price in writing. Most jobs like this take 14–22 weeks on site, and we work across Lanarkshire, including Dalserf, Meikle Earnock and Wishaw.
- Guide price
- £58,000–£115,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 14–22 weeks on site
- Postcodes
- ML9
- Planning rules
- Scotland
- Local area
- South Lanarkshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a double-storey extension in Larkhall?
Below is a breakdown of typical costs for a double-storey extension in Larkhall. Because rates in Scotland are about 4% below the national guide, the overall guide comes to £58,000–£115,000, including VAT. Size, materials and access move the figure, and a free-of-charge survey settles it.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Larkhall |
|---|---|---|
| Small (15–20m² total) | A compact rear or side extension adding a small room on each floor. | £38,500–£62,000 |
| Typical (30–40m² total) | A larger kitchen or living room below with a double bedroom or en-suite above. | £58,000–£115,000 |
| Large (50m² plus total) | Wide or deep extensions, often with a new bathroom, steelwork and high-spec glazing. | £96,000–£173,000 |
The main things that change the figure:
- 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
Scope of the work
- Groundworks, foundations and below-ground drainage
- Insulated cavity walls with brick or render to match the house
- 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
- Building control inspections and completion certificate
What are homes like around Larkhall?
Lanarkshire mixes sandstone tenements and terraces in Hamilton, Motherwell, Airdrie and Coatbridge with former miners' rows and large post-war estates, many finished in roughcast. East Kilbride and Cumbernauld were developed as post-war new towns, and newer private estates surround most towns.
Roughcast homes commonly need re-rendering, window replacement and roof work. Semis and bungalows suit extensions and loft conversions, and new-town houses often take garage conversions and driveways.
If your house in Larkhall fits one of these patterns, it helps us anticipate what a double-storey extension will involve, though we always confirm the details on site.
Permissions for a double-storey extension in Larkhall
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. Larkhall comes under Scotland, covered below, and we raise any questions with the council before your quote is finalised.
In Scotland, extensions of more than one storey are only permitted development in narrow cases (Class 1B, well away from the boundary they face and outside conservation areas), so most need planning permission.
A building warrant is required before work starts. Scotland has no Party Wall Act; neighbour and title issues are handled under general law.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
The four stages
Survey and measure
Book a visit and we'll come to you. The survey covers measurements, the state of what's there now and any obvious constraints, so the price that follows is based on your actual home, not an average.
Quote in writing
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.
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.
Build and hand over
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
Double-storey extensions in Larkhall: questions
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.
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.
Is the price fixed?
Yes, for the specification we agree. Your written quote sets out exactly what is included at a fixed price. It only changes if you ask for something different, or if a problem the survey could not reasonably reveal later needs extra work. In either case we explain the change and confirm it in writing before going ahead.
Who do I deal with during the job?
One point of contact manages your project from survey to handover. They schedule the trades working under our contract, keep you updated on progress, and are the person to call with any question. You don't need to coordinate builders, electricians or decorators separately, because that is part of what we do.
Can the new upstairs room have its own bathroom?
A new upstairs room can usually have an en-suite, provided waste pipes can reach the soil stack or a new one can be installed. Running the waste pipe to the right falls is the main design question, and a pumped system is an option where gravity will not work. We plan bathroom positions at the design stage so pipes, ventilation and insulation are built in rather than added later.
Also covering areas around Larkhall
We welcome enquiries from all ML9 postcodes in Larkhall, plus Dalserf, Meikle Earnock and Wishaw. Each one gets the same survey at no charge and a written price fixed for the work described.