Double-storey extensions in Chester-le-Street
Thinking about a double-storey extension for your Chester-le-Street home? Start with a free site visit: we measure up, check what the council will allow and give you honest guide figures on the day.
- Guide price in Chester-le-StreetFrom £34,500 inc VAT
- PlanningUsually a householder application
- Build time16–24 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsDH2, DH3
Covering Chester-le-Street
Our survey diary covers Chester-le-Street, including DH2, DH3. The same team covers Stanley (5 miles), Durham (6 miles), Seaham (9 miles), Consett (10 miles), all within easy reach.
For homes towards Tyne and Wear, Washington is around 4 miles away. Across the North East, houses often have rear yards or modest gardens, so compact, well-lit single-storey extensions make the biggest difference.
Planning and approvals in Chester-le-Street
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).
When a double-storey extension makes sense
- Houses with enough distance to the rear or side boundary
- Homeowners who would otherwise consider moving
- Growing families who need a bedroom as well as a bigger kitchen
Double-storey extension prices in Chester-le-Street
Prices below are for Chester-le-Street, using the North East England factor of ×0.91. They are guide ranges including VAT for the build only, not a quote.
Typical rates in Chester-le-Street: £1,410 to £2,730 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m, two floors 24 m² | £34,500 – £41,500 | £39,000 – £51,500 | £50,000 – £66,000 |
| 4 m × 4 m, two floors 32 m² | £45,000 – £54,000 | £52,000 – £68,500 | £66,500 – £87,500 |
| 4 m × 6 m, two floors 48 m² | £67,500 – £81,000 | £78,500 – £103,000 | £100,000 – £131,500 |
For a figure based on your own dimensions, use our guide-price tool.
From first visit to completion
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
Once the layout is agreed, we deal with the council: planning permission or written confirmation that none is needed, plus building control.
Fixed written price
The price is fixed in writing once the design is settled, with a clear programme and payment stages.
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
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Chester-le-Street, 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 Chester-le-Street?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Do you cover all of Chester-le-Street?
Yes. We cover Chester-le-Street and the surrounding parts of County Durham. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
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 Chester-le-Street
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.