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 live in Lowestoft and are weighing up a double-storey extension, the starting point is a visit to measure up and talk through what you want, which costs nothing. We cover homes across NR32 and NR33, and a typical project of this kind in the East of England lands somewhere in the £63,000–£126,000 bracket, including VAT. The exact figure depends on size, access and the finish you choose.
- Guide price
- £63,000–£126,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 14–22 weeks on site
- Postcodes
- NR32 and NR33
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Suffolk
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a double-storey extension in Lowestoft?
Use the table to gauge the cost of a double-storey extension in Lowestoft before we visit. Figures include VAT and are scaled for the East of England, coming out about 5% above the national guide, which gives £63,000–£126,000 overall. After a free survey, you receive a fixed written price.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Lowestoft |
|---|---|---|
| Small (15–20m² total) | A compact rear or side extension adding a small room on each floor. | £42,000–£68,000 |
| Typical (30–40m² total) | A larger kitchen or living room below with a double bedroom or en-suite above. | £63,000–£126,000 |
| Large (50m² plus total) | Wide or deep extensions, often with a new bathroom, steelwork and high-spec glazing. | £105,000–£189,000 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- 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
What do you get?
- 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
What are homes like around Lowestoft?
Suffolk villages are full of timber-framed cottages, many limewashed in traditional colours such as Suffolk pink, with pargeting and thatch in places. Flint and pale gault brick are common too. Ipswich has Victorian terraces and interwar estates, Bury St Edmunds has Georgian streets, and Lowestoft and Felixstowe mix Victorian seaside housing with newer estates.
Timber-framed buildings need breathable lime plaster and render, and roof repairs that suit the original materials. Terraces suit loft conversions and rear extensions, while newer homes commonly take garage conversions and porches.
So when we survey a Lowestoft 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 Lowestoft
As Lowestoft is in England, read the following with that system of planning and building control in mind. We check what applies to your house with the council before you receive a 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
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.
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.
Booking the work
With the quote agreed, we book the work in and handle preparation: permissions where needed, building control notifications, material orders and access arrangements for your Lowestoft property.
Build and hand over
The job proceeds in the order set out in the programme, with dust and debris kept under control. Finally we tidy away, inspect the work together and pass the finished project over to you with its paperwork.
Working with SK Home Improvements
Double-storey extensions in Lowestoft: questions
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.
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.
How is the new roof joined to the existing house?
The new roof is usually tied into the existing roof so the two read as one. On a rear extension this often means a lower ridge or a hipped end, with valleys where the slopes meet. We strip back some existing tiles, fix new rafters and battens, and lay matching tiles or slates. Lead or proprietary flashings seal the junctions so water runs off properly.
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.
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.
Nearby towns
Whether you're in the centre of Lowestoft or on its outskirts, NR32 and NR33 addresses are covered. We extend the same service, and the same fixed-price approach, to Great Yarmouth, Norwich and Bowthorpe.