Double storey house extensions in and around Manchester by expert architectural designers
Double Storey Extensions
CK Architectural Manchester offers double storey house extensions across the whole of the Greater Manchester area, ranging from places like Manchester and Bolton right through to Rochdale and Stockport.
Double or two storey extensions as they are also popularly known are an incredible way to maximise your home space for a much lower cost than other renovations, and can really make a huge difference to the life you can have without having to move home.
We’re here to help you with every step of your build, from initial designs and consultations all the way through to project management and bringing your build to life with our expertise and years of experience ensuring the utmost efficiency and minimal costs.
For more information on how we can help you create your perfect home, contact us today and speak with our architectural experts who can give you everything you need, all for free with no commitment required.
Pre Design Considerations
Because of the size and shapes of these incredible, large and visible two storey extensions, it’s essential to take lots into consideration when looking at the architectural design. The additional spaces will be the same on both floors and the regulations are stricter than a single storey extension, specifically about fire escape and structure.
Making the first-floor bedroom bigger, for example, might create unneeded space on the ground floor, and the roof must harmonise well. Bedrooms need to have light, ventilation and means of escape. With two stories the planning limitations require that size and scale fit with its environment. Consider what you want to gain from the build, what you are willing to sacrifice and what your budget is.
We will perform a thorough walk over survey before we advise you on the next steps. At the onsite survey, we will be looking at issues such as shared boundaries, party walls, sewers, listed buildings and conservation areas.
Design Options
With something as intricate and practical as a double extension, it’s also important to make sure that time is taken to really understand the options at hand that you have available and the impact they will have on the build as well as the rooms when in use.
To put this into context, once you know the room sizes required, you need to plan how to access and ventilate them. Then, you need to make the external of the new building work well with the existing house. There are limitations in the planning guide for two storey extensions as they have more impact on their surroundings.
In addition to this, we also need to think about the appearance and style of the double extension too. We like to work with and enhance existing areas where possible as this means less new building, cost and impact to you. A double side extension needs to look subservient to the house. Typically, this is achieved by pulling the front wall back. Gaining a good balance is important. If the need for an additional bedroom is the prime motivator, you need to consider how best to use the additional space on the ground floor.
Double rear extensions must consider the overshadowing and loss of amenity or outlook from the neighbours near the boundary.
Planning Permission for Double Storey Extensions
Double storey extensions generally need planning permission, unlike most single storey extensions that have permitted development rights. There are many things to consider before submitting a planning application. Planners want to know how it impacts the street scene, does it enhance character, does it have a negative effect on the neighbours, does it affect light/privacy/amenity?
Our design consultants will advise how to achieve your requirements with the best opportunity of securing planning approval. We prepare and submit the application on your behalf, then act as your agent, talking directly with the council throughout the application.
See our full planning guide for everything you need to know before designing.
Building Regulations for a Double Storey Extension
You will most certainly need a building certificate from a building control body – which is either the local authority or a private building inspector – for a double-storey extension. We advise gaining the planning permission before paying for the detailed building regulations drawings.
Our detailed building regulations plans and specification drawings will include any necessary detail such as structure, passage of sound, disabled access (if needed), drainage, resistance to moisture, collision, impact, heat loss, ventilation, light, emergency escape and much more.
Our specification demonstrates the new double extension can and will be built in accordance with the building regulations approved documents above all else. These will then be submitted for a full plan check, amended if necessary, and once approved, they will be the standard that is built to and inspected against.
You can use these drawings for gaining quotations from builders.
Given the additional complexity of the building regulations for a two-storey extension, it is essential that your get the plans approved prior to commencing.
Project management for your double storey extension
Once you have all of your drawings and approvals, it’s time to move on to completing the project and approaching builders to provide quotations and prices. We offer project management across the whole of York and Harrogate if you’re looking for expert management, but if you choose to do it solo, we’re still here to offer some advice:
Choose a builder that you can trust to carry out the work and ideally has a good track record.
Remember that only half of the building works will be outside; you should plan and phase exclusion zones with your builder.
Check that any quotation you consider will be written up clearly and with good detail. You will need to know exactly what is priced for and any additional costs should unforeseen issues arise.
Use our drawings in line with the quotation and any additional information we don’t provide such as plumbing and electrics is agreed in detail before the first fix goes in. It will be costly to change things once the initial preparation has been built.
Building and Builders for Your Project
When choosing your builder, ensure that you choose someone with lots of specific and relevant experience and most importantly, choose someone you’ll feel comfortable working with and talking to about concerns – they are going to be in your life and home for a substantial amount of time. Be clear about your timescale expectations and specific finishes.
Quotations should be clear and easy to read with reference to our detailed approved building regulations drawings. Ask who will be doing the work, will it be their company, or will they be sub-contracting and who is managing the process. Make sure you discuss payment dates and check their payment structure and be comfortable with it. Don’t always go with the references they give you, it’s not hard to find out where else they may have been working.
We try to add as many construction details as possible, but some assumptions must be made, and certain areas investigated with the builder before moving forward. Ensure that you are happy with everything before proceeding. We offer help throughout for both you and the builder, and we will come to the site if help is required.
Remember when you finally do come to build, only half of the building work will be outside. You should plan and phase exclusion zones with your builder.
Book your call today
In our calls, you’ll chat with a friendly member of our design team. We’ll cover everything about your project, like the project brief, budget, design limitations, and advice on planning and building regulations, and much more.
