Double-storey extensions in Great Barr

Planning your two-storey extension in Great Barr

Expect to apply to Birmingham City Council, Sandwell Council or Walsall Council (Great Barr straddles all three) for planning permission for a two-storey extension in Great Barr; side extensions over one storey always need it. We prepare the drawings, and the structural work also needs Building Regulations approval.

An upstairs en-suite is simplest when the new bathroom sits close to the existing soil stack.
Scaffolding is usually up for most of the build, so think about access along the side of the house early.
The householder planning fee in England is £548 from April 2026, paid to Birmingham City Council, Sandwell Council or Walsall Council (Great Barr straddles all three) when you apply.

Postcode district: B43
Planning and building control: Birmingham, Sandwell or Walsall
From our West Bromwich base: 3 miles

Options to consider in Great Barr

Combined side and rear

An L-shaped two-storey build wrapping the side and back of the house gives the biggest gain, sometimes two extra bedrooms. It's a substantial project with more steel and a complex roof junction, and it will need a householder planning application. Expect a longer programme and a careful plan for keeping the house secure while the roofs are joined.

Two-storey side extension

Built over the side of the house, often where a driveway or old garage sits. It can create a garage, utility or study downstairs with a double bedroom above. Councils often expect the upper floor to be set back from the front and the roof to sit lower than the main ridge, so the design needs care to win approval.

Guide prices for Great Barr

For a home in Great Barr, our guide range is £52,000–£135,000 depending on size and specification. A two-storey side extension on a three-bed semi, about 32 m² over two floors: usually £68,000–£88,000.

Guide prices for double-storey extensions
Option	Guide price	Good to know
Compact two-storey rear (20–28 m² total)	£52,000 – £72,000	Bigger kitchen below, bedroom or bathroom above
Two-storey side or rear (30–40 m² total)	£68,000 – £98,000	The usual size on a three-bed semi
Large or combined side and rear (45 m²+)	£95,000 – £135,000	More steel, a complex roof and a longer programme

Guide ranges include VAT where it applies. A free survey turns this guide into a fixed, itemised price.

Your questions answered

How long does a double-storey extension take?

Plan on 14–22 weeks on site, depending on size and roof complexity. Before that, allow time for drawings, a planning decision (councils aim to decide householder applications within 8 weeks), Building Regulations drawings and party wall notices. It's worth starting the design well ahead of when you need the space, because the approvals stage can take as long as the build.

How do I book a survey in Great Barr?

Send the form on this page, use the guide-price tool or call 0800 088 6248 free. We'll ask a few questions about your two-storey extension and arrange a time to visit.

What paperwork will I have at the end?

You'll get the building control completion certificate, the electrical installation certificate, your planning decision notice and the manufacturers' guarantee documents for windows, doors and roof products, with their terms set out in your quote. Keep these together, as a buyer's solicitor will ask for them when you sell. Ask us for current insurance details with your quote.

Does the council need to approve my two-storey extension?

Usually both. Most two-storey extensions need a planning application to Birmingham City Council, Sandwell Council or Walsall Council (Great Barr straddles all three), and the structural work needs Building Regulations approval from its building control team or a registered building control approver.

Nearby places we cover

More services in Great Barr

Call 0800 088 6248 or send us your postcode, and we'll arrange a time to look at the house.