Double-storey extensions in Benfleet: design, approvals and build
We design and build double-storey extensions for houses in Benfleet, with a written price once the survey and design are done and one point of contact throughout.
- Guide price in BenfleetFrom £40,000 inc VAT
- PlanningUsually a householder application
- Build time16–24 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsSS7, SS8, SS13
Covering Benfleet
We cover Benfleet and the postcode districts SS7, SS8, SS13. The same team covers Hadleigh (2 miles), Canvey Island (2 miles), Rayleigh (3 miles), Wickford (4 miles), all within easy reach.
Gravesend, in Kent, is roughly 11 miles from Benfleet and also on our list. The East of England mixes market-town terraces, inter-war semis and modern estates. Clay soils are common in parts of the region, which can affect foundation design.
Planning and approvals in Benfleet
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.
Homes in conservation areas, national parks, National Landscapes (formerly AONBs), the Broads and World Heritage Sites have tighter rules, so we always check the property's status and planning history before design starts.
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).
Who a double-storey extension suits
- Growing families who need a bedroom as well as a bigger kitchen
- Homeowners who would otherwise consider moving
- Houses with enough distance to the rear or side boundary
The roof is what makes a two-storey extension look right or wrong. We match the pitch and materials of the main house wherever possible and plan the upstairs layout around the existing landing so the new rooms feel original rather than bolted on.
Guide prices for Benfleet
For Benfleet we adjust our national guide rates by ×1.06, the factor we use for East of England. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in Benfleet: £1,640 to £3,180 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m, two floors 24 m² | £40,000 – £48,500 | £45,500 – £60,000 | £58,500 – £76,500 |
| 4 m × 4 m, two floors 32 m² | £52,500 – £63,000 | £61,000 – £80,000 | £78,000 – £102,000 |
| 4 m × 6 m, two floors 48 m² | £78,500 – £94,500 | £91,500 – £120,000 | £117,000 – £153,000 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
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
We visit your Benfleet home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
Design and approvals
We produce the drawings and structural design, and manage the approvals so they are in place before work starts.
Fixed written price
We confirm the build price in writing, based on the approved drawings and the finishes you have chosen.
Build and sign-off
The build is managed from start to finish, inspected at each stage and signed off on completion.
Your questions about a double-storey extension in Benfleet
Will my neighbours in Benfleet 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.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Benfleet, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Do I need building regulations approval in Benfleet?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
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.
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.
Book a free site visit in Benfleet
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.