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.
Shirley sits within our coverage for a double-storey extension, as do neighbouring Solihull, Acocks Green and Birmingham. Before giving a price we want to see the property: the condition of what's there now, the access, and anything that might need extra work. The guide range for the West Midlands is £59,000–£118,000 including VAT, and your written quote will spell out exactly what that covers.
- Guide price
- £59,000–£118,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 14–22 weeks on site
- Postcodes
- B27, B28, B90 and B91
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Solihull
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a double-storey extension cost in Shirley?
Every figure below is a guide for a double-storey extension in Shirley, inclusive of VAT. Regional pricing for the West Midlands works out about 2% below the national guide, and the overall span is £59,000–£118,000. The survey costs you nothing, and after it we commit to a firm price for your specification in writing.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Shirley |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
The main things that change the figure:
- 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
What’s included?
- 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
- Building control inspections and completion certificate
Homes in West Midlands
Red-brick Victorian and Edwardian terraces are common in the inner areas of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the Black Country, ringed by large swathes of 1930s semis with bay windows and hipped roofs. You'll also find post-war council estates, some system-built blocks, Coventry's rebuilt centre and larger detached homes in Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.
An inland climate with regular winter frosts means freeze-thaw damage to soft brick and old mortar is a common reason for repointing and render repairs.
These patterns matter for a double-storey extension: older walls, roofs and floors in Shirley can need different materials or extra preparation compared with newer homes.
Planning and building rules in Shirley
Shirley 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
Free site survey
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.
Your fixed price
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.
Plan and prepare
We handle the paperwork side: checking whether planning permission or building control approval is needed, submitting applications where they are, and scheduling the trades and materials around your dates.
The work itself
The work is carried out to the agreed specification, with floors and furniture protected and the site kept tidy. At the end we clean up, walk through the finished job with you and hand over any certificates.
Working with SK Home Improvements
Frequently asked questions
Which postcodes in Shirley do you cover?
We cover B27, B28, B90 and B91, along with the rest of West Midlands. 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.
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 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.
How much will a double-storey extension cost in Shirley?
As a guide, expect to pay £59,000–£118,000 including VAT for a double-storey extension in Shirley. That range is adjusted for the West Midlands, which runs about 2% below the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
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.
Near Shirley
We cover every part of Shirley, including B27, B28, B90 and B91, and nearby Solihull, Acocks Green and Birmingham. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.