Double-storey extensions in Stepney
Thinking about a double-storey extension for your Stepney 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 StepneyFrom £49,000 inc VAT
- PlanningUsually a householder application
- Build time16–24 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsE1W, E1, E2, E3, E14
Local to Stepney
Postcode districts we cover around Stepney include E1W, E1, E2, E3, E14, SE16. Nearby, we also take on projects in Bethnal Green (1 mile), Bow (1 mile), Stratford (2 miles), Canning Town (3 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.
Do I need planning permission in Stepney?
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.
The planning position for a specific Stepney address depends on its history and any designations, which is why we check it at the first visit.
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).
Who a double-storey extension suits
- Homeowners who would otherwise consider moving
- Growing families who need a bedroom as well as a bigger kitchen
- 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.
Double-storey extension prices in Stepney
For Stepney we adjust our national guide rates by ×1.3, the factor we use for London. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in Stepney: £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 |
For a figure based on your own dimensions, use our guide-price tool.
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 Stepney home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
Fixed written price
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
Build and sign-off
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Common questions in Stepney
Do you cover all of Stepney?
Yes. We cover Stepney and the surrounding parts of Greater London. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
How long does a double-storey extension take to build in Stepney?
On site, typically 16 to 24 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 8–16 weeks design and approvals.
Will my neighbours in Stepney 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.
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.
Is a two-storey extension cheaper per square metre?
Usually. Our guide range is about £2,020 to £3,900 per m² of new floor area including VAT, compared with £2,280 to £4,420 per m² for single-storey work, because the foundations and roof are shared across two floors.
Book a free site visit in Stepney
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.