Double-storey extensions in Edinburgh
Planning a double-storey extension in Edinburgh? We survey the house, work out the planning route, draw the design and build it, so you deal with one team from the first visit to the completion certificate.
- Guide price in EdinburghFrom £37,000 inc VAT
- PlanningUsually planning permission; building warrant needed
- Build time16–24 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsEH1, EH2, EH3, EH7, EH8
Do I need planning permission in Edinburgh?
In Scotland, householder permitted development rules (Class 1A for single-storey ground-floor extensions and Class 1B for extensions of more than one storey) allow some smaller extensions without a planning application, within limits on depth, height and distance from the boundary. Conservation areas and listed buildings are more restricted.
Homes in conservation areas, national scenic areas and listed buildings have tighter rules, so we always check the property's status and planning history before design starts.
In Scotland a building warrant from the council is needed before work starts on almost any extension, and a completion certificate is issued when the work is accepted. Building standards are set in the Scottish technical handbooks.
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Where work affects a shared wall or a neighbour's land, we agree access, protection and making good with your neighbour in writing before work starts.
Applications are decided by your council as planning authority.
Extensions in and around Edinburgh
Our survey diary covers Edinburgh, including EH1, EH2, EH3, EH7, EH8, EH9. Neighbouring towns we cover include Musselburgh (6 miles), Bonnyrigg (6 miles), Penicuik (8 miles), Broxburn (11 miles).
Kirkcaldy, in Fife, is roughly 11 miles from Edinburgh and also on our list. Across Scotland, extensions follow Scottish planning and building standards, including the building warrant process, which we build into the programme from the start.
Guide prices for Edinburgh
For Edinburgh we adjust our national guide rates by ×0.98, the factor we use for Scotland. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in Edinburgh: £1,520 to £2,940 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m, two floors 24 m² | £37,000 – £44,500 | £42,000 – £55,500 | £54,000 – £71,000 |
| 4 m × 4 m, two floors 32 m² | £48,500 – £58,500 | £56,000 – £74,000 | £72,000 – £94,500 |
| 4 m × 6 m, two floors 48 m² | £72,500 – £87,500 | £84,500 – £111,000 | £108,000 – £141,500 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Is a double-storey extension right for your house?
- 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.
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 Edinburgh home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
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
You receive a written, itemised price and programme. Nothing starts until you are happy with it.
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 Edinburgh
Do I need building regulations approval in Edinburgh?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. In Scotland that means a building warrant before work starts.
How long does a double-storey extension take to build in Edinburgh?
On site, typically 16 to 24 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 8–16 weeks design and approvals.
Do you cover all of Edinburgh?
Yes. We cover Edinburgh and the surrounding parts of Edinburgh and the Lothians. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Is a two-storey extension cheaper per square metre?
Usually. Our guide range is about £1,520 to £2,940 per m² of new floor area including VAT, compared with £1,720 to £3,330 per m² for single-storey work, because the foundations and roof are shared across two floors.
Book a free site visit in Edinburgh
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.