Services / Upward extensions
Upward extensions
Add a whole floor rather than squeezing space into the loft. We check whether your house can be extended upwards, design the extra storey and take it through prior approval or a planning application.
- FreeInitial consultationA conversation about your project, and a first view of what's possible, before any fee is agreed.
- FixedFee for each stageEvery stage is priced in writing before it starts. No hourly billing.
- 3DSee the design firstYour design is shown in 3D before it's submitted, while changes are still easy.
- FreeResubmissionIf planning is refused, we revise and resubmit at no extra design fee. Conditions
What we do
Extra storey on a house
A new floor on a detached, semi-detached or terraced house, matched to the street.
Mansard roof extensions
A traditional mansard, common on London terraces, usually by planning application.
Prior approval route
Some houses can add storeys under permitted development, subject to the council's prior approval.
Structure and foundations
Checks that the walls and foundations can carry the new floor, with engineers in the group.
Upward extensions
What's included
Priced once we have checked the house and the best planning route.
- Check of the planning route for your house
- Measured survey and design in 3D
- Prior approval or planning application
- Structural checks and building regulations drawings
Before you start
What we need, and what sits outside our fee
- From you: the property address, a few photos, and any existing drawings, planning approvals or surveys you have. We arrange the measured survey with you.
- Not in our fee: council planning and building control fees, and specialist reports a council asks for, such as a tree survey or flood risk assessment, unless your fee proposal lists them.
- Your fee proposal sets out exactly what is included for your project before any work starts.
- Want it built too? Green Code Developers, the group's construction company, can build it under a separate contract, with one project lead throughout. How design and build works.
Timescales
How long it takes
We give you a timetable for our work in your fee proposal. Council and other statutory timings start once an application is validated.
- Prior approval for extra storeys
- Councils normally have 8 weeks to decide
- Householder planning application
- Target of 8 weeks after validation
Common questions
Can I add a storey without planning permission?
Some houses can, under permitted development with the council's prior approval. The house must meet conditions, including when it was built and not being in a conservation area, and the council still looks at the effect on neighbours and the street. Otherwise, a planning application is needed.
Is an upward extension the same as a loft conversion?
No. A loft conversion uses the existing roof space; an upward extension adds new walls and a new roof to create a full storey.
Other services
- Free planning check
- House extensions
- Loft conversions
- Renovations and internal alterations
- Basement conversions
- Planning permission
- Lawful development certificates
- Pre-application advice
- Building regulations drawings
- Building control applications
- Structural calculations
- Structural surveys and letters of comfort
- Flat conversions
- Lease plans and licence to alter
- Change of use
- New builds
- Interior design
- 3D visualisation
- Energy and retrofit
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
- Accessible home adaptations
- Commercial fit-outs and shopfronts
- Design consultations
- Party wall surveys
- Build over agreements and drainage
- Planning reports and statements
- Amendments, conditions and regularisation
- Planning appeals
- Conservation areas and listed buildings
- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
- HMO planning and licensing
- Feasibility and site checks
- Measured surveys
- Building surveys
- Drawing reviews and second opinions
- Location and block plans
- Tender and construction support
- Principal designer (CDM and building regulations)
- Cost management
- Project management
- Contract administration
- Design and build
- Turnkey projects
- Landscape design
Where we work
Upward extensions across London
Local planning points for the boroughs closest to our Cricklewood studio: Ealing, Harrow, Brent, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Haringey, Enfield, Barnet, Camden, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea. See all 33 boroughs.