Double-storey extensions in Wickford: design, approvals and build
Our design and build teams take on double-storey extensions in Wickford, from the first measured survey through planning and building control to the finished room.
- Guide price in WickfordFrom £40,000 inc VAT
- PlanningUsually a householder application
- Build time16–24 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsSS11, SS12
Working in Wickford
Across SS11, SS12, we can visit, measure and advise. The same team covers Rayleigh (4 miles), Basildon (4 miles), Benfleet (4 miles), Billericay (5 miles), all within easy reach.
Gravesend, in Kent, is roughly 13 miles from Wickford and also on our list. Across the East of England many houses sit on generous plots, and single-storey and wraparound extensions are a natural fit.
Will the council need to approve it?
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 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.
If the work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 m (sometimes 6 m) of a neighbour's building, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notice must be served before work starts: two months for work to a party wall, one month for new walls on the boundary and for excavations.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
What should I budget for a double-storey extension in Wickford?
These guide figures apply our East of England adjustment (×1.06) to national rates. They include VAT at 20% and cover the build itself; design and council fees are listed separately.
Typical rates in Wickford: £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 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
What we take care of
- Householder planning application where needed
- Foundations sized for two floors
- Building regulations drawings and structural design
- Measured survey, design and planning drawings
- Insulation, plastering, electrics and plumbing to 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 Wickford home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
Design and approvals
Drawings are prepared and agreed with you, then submitted for the right planning route and building regulations approval.
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 Wickford
Will my neighbours in Wickford 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.
Do you cover all of Wickford?
Yes. We cover Wickford and the surrounding parts of Essex. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
How long does a double-storey extension take to build in Wickford?
On site, typically 16 to 24 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 8–16 weeks design and approvals.
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.
Is a two-storey extension cheaper per square metre?
Usually. Our guide range is about £1,640 to £3,180 per m² of new floor area including VAT, compared with £1,860 to £3,600 per m² for single-storey work, because the foundations and roof are shared across two floors.
Book a free site visit in Wickford
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.