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.
Homes across South Glamorgan vary a great deal, so we price a double-storey extension only after seeing the property. Our coverage takes in Cardiff, Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major and the surrounding districts. As a guide, expect £55,000–£110,000 including VAT in Wales; the final figure depends on size, materials and access. Any permissions are checked against the rules for Wales before we quote.
- Guide price
- £55,000–£110,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 14–22 weeks on site
- Planning rules
- Wales
- Price level
- About 8% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a double-storey extension cost in South Glamorgan?
To help you plan, we show what a double-storey extension typically costs in South Glamorgan instead of holding figures back for a sales call. The range is £55,000–£110,000 with VAT, using rates in Wales that are about 8% below the national guide. A free survey then fixes your actual price.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in South Glamorgan |
|---|---|---|
| Small (15–20m² total) | A compact rear or side extension adding a small room on each floor. | £37,000–£60,000 |
| Typical (30–40m² total) | A larger kitchen or living room below with a double bedroom or en-suite above. | £55,000–£110,000 |
| Large (50m² plus total) | Wide or deep extensions, often with a new bathroom, steelwork and high-spec glazing. | £92,000–£166,000 |
The main things that change the figure:
- How the new roof joins the existing roof
- 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
- 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
- Electrics, plumbing and heating by qualified trades, with certificates
- Windows, external doors, plastering and internal doors
Homes in South Glamorgan
Cardiff has large areas of bay-fronted Victorian and Edwardian terraces in districts such as Roath, Canton and Cathays, plus interwar suburbs, post-war estates and modern flats around Cardiff Bay. Penarth has Victorian villas, Barry mixes terraces with newer estates, and Vale of Glamorgan villages are often built of local limestone.
Terraces commonly suit loft conversions, side-return and rear extensions, and bay window renewal. Suburban semis take side extensions and driveways, and stone village homes need lime-based repairs.
Mild but wet, with coastal exposure along the Severn estuary and Bristol Channel affecting render, roofline and windows.
Do you need permission in South Glamorgan?
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. South Glamorgan comes under Wales, covered below, and we raise any questions with the council before your quote is finalised.
In Wales, two-storey extensions are tightly limited under permitted development, including distance to the rear boundary, so most need planning permission.
Building Regulations approval is needed in Wales, and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies to work on or near shared walls.
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
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.
Written quote
Next you receive a written quote with a fixed price for the agreed specification. It lists what is included, what is not, and how payments are staged, so you can compare it properly.
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.
Build and hand over
During the work we protect the areas around it and tidy up at the end of each day. Once complete, we check the finish, remove our materials and hand over paperwork such as building control sign-off where it applies.
What you can expect from us
Frequently asked questions
Do you cover Cardiff, Barry and Penarth?
Yes. As well as South Glamorgan, we cover Cardiff, Barry and Penarth and the rest of South Glamorgan. Our coverage is UK-wide, so the process is the same wherever you are: a free site survey, a quote in writing that fixes the price for the agreed scope, and one point of contact while the work is planned and carried out.
How much does a double-storey extension cost?
A typical double-storey extension of 30–40m² across both floors costs £55,000–£110,000, 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.
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.
Which postcodes in South Glamorgan do you cover?
We cover CF10, CF62, CF64 and CF61, along with the rest of South Glamorgan. If your postcode is not listed, get in touch anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, and we can usually arrange a survey wherever you live. Enter your postcode in the guide-price tool or contact form and we will confirm.
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.
Towns in South Glamorgan
We offer a double-storey extension in each of the towns below, all within South Glamorgan. Select yours for guide prices, postcodes covered and nearby places.