Double-storey extensions in Acton: design, approvals and build
If you live in Acton and want more space without moving, a double-storey extension is one of the most practical ways to get it. We handle the drawings, approvals and the build.
- Guide price in ActonFrom £49,000 inc VAT
- PlanningUsually a householder application
- Build time16–24 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsTW8, W3, W4, W5, W12
Planning and approvals in Acton
In England a two-storey rear extension is permitted development only if it projects no more than 3 m from the original rear wall, sits at least 7 m from the rear boundary, matches the roof pitch and uses obscure, non-opening side windows upstairs. Most two-storey extensions therefore go through a householder planning application, which costs £548 from 1 April 2026 and normally takes about 8 weeks.
In a conservation area, national park, National Landscape, the Broads or a World Heritage Site the permitted development limits are tighter (no side or two-storey extensions without an application). Listed homes need listed building consent, and if permitted development rights have been removed, any extension needs an application.
Building regulations approval is separate from planning. In England you can use the council's building control team or a registered building control approver; a full plans application gets the drawings checked before work starts, and the inspector signs the work off with a completion certificate.
Building over or within 3 m of a public sewer needs the water company's consent, usually through a build-over agreement, before the foundations go in.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
What should I budget for a double-storey extension in Acton?
Prices below are for Acton, using the London factor of ×1.3. They are guide ranges including VAT for the build only, not a quote.
Typical rates in Acton: £2,020 to £3,900 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m, two floors 24 m² | £49,000 – £59,000 | £56,000 – £73,500 | £71,500 – £94,000 |
| 4 m × 4 m, two floors 32 m² | £64,000 – £77,000 | £74,500 – £98,000 | £95,500 – £125,000 |
| 4 m × 6 m, two floors 48 m² | £96,500 – £115,500 | £112,000 – £147,000 | £143,500 – £187,500 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Is a double-storey extension right for your house?
- Growing families who need a bedroom as well as a bigger kitchen
- Houses with enough distance to the rear or side boundary
- Homeowners who would otherwise consider moving
Extensions in and around Acton
Postcode districts we cover around Acton include TW8, W3, W4, W5, W12, W13. We also work in nearby Chiswick (1 mile), Harlesden (2 miles), Shepherds Bush (2 miles), Willesden (2 miles).
Across London, terraced houses with narrow side returns and tight access are the norm, which shapes everything from party wall notices to how materials reach the back garden.
How the project works
Site visits are free and there is no obligation. Where drawings are needed, the design stage is priced in writing before it starts.
Free site visit
First, a site visit: we look at the house, garden, access and drains and listen to what you need.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
Fixed written price
You receive a written, itemised price and programme. Nothing starts until you are happy with it.
Build and sign-off
We build it with one project manager, book the building control inspections and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions people ask about double-storey extensions
Do you cover all of Acton?
Yes. We cover Acton and the surrounding parts of Greater London. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Will my neighbours in Acton be involved?
If a planning application or prior approval is needed, the council notifies neighbours. If the work is on or near a shared boundary, party wall notices may also be needed.
Who do I contract with for a double-storey extension in Acton?
Your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, which designs and manages the project and the build teams who carry it out.
Does a double-storey extension need planning permission?
Often, yes. In England a two-storey rear extension can be permitted development only if it projects no more than 3 m and sits at least 7 m from the rear boundary, with matching roof pitch and obscure side windows. Side extensions over one storey always need planning permission. We confirm the route at the survey.
Do I need a Party Wall Agreement?
If you are in England or Wales and the work involves a shared wall or digging foundations close to a neighbour, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notices must be served before work starts. We tell you which notices are needed.
Book a free site visit in Acton
We will measure up, check the planning position and give you honest guide figures.
- Free, no-obligation site visit
- Planning route checked before you spend on drawings
- Written price once the design is agreed
- Building control sign-off at the end
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6341 or .
Book a free site visit
Tell us a little about the project and we will arrange a time.