Edinburgh and the Lothians
Rear extensions for semi-detached houses in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Single or two-storey extensions for semi-detached houses, with side access and one party wall. Rear extensions in Edinburgh and the Lothians: we cover 14 towns including Edinburgh, Livingston and Musselburgh, with design, approvals and the build under one contract.

Where an Edinburgh semi already has a small lean-to at the back, we usually replace it rather than extend it. Edinburgh and the Lothians has sandstone villas and terraces, post-war semis and four-in-a-block flats. Flats need planning permission for an extension, and every project needs a building warrant before work starts.
How much does a semi-detached rear extension cost in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
A semi-detached rear extension in Edinburgh and the Lothians is priced at £1,800–£2,940 per square metre including VAT as a guide, before kitchen fit-out and fees. Prices in Scotland sit a little below our West Midlands baseline; building warrant fees and drawings are budgeted separately.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 3 m wide × 4 m deep (12 m²) | £21,500–£35,500 |
| 4 m wide × 5 m deep (20 m²) | £36,000–£59,000 |
| 4 m wide × 6 m deep (24 m²) | £43,500–£70,500 |
Your written price follows a measured survey and an agreed design, so it reflects your house, not an average.
Do you need planning permission in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Scottish householder permitted development (Class 1A) covers many single-storey rear extensions, with a 3 metre eaves limit, a 4 metre height limit and, within 1 metre of a boundary, a depth limit of 3 metres for terraced houses or 4 metres for others. Conservation areas are excluded, and you need a building warrant whatever the planning position.
Scottish Class 1B rights for extensions of more than one storey need a 10 metre gap to every boundary, which few gardens have. Expect a planning application as well as a building warrant for a double-storey rear extension.
Scotland has no larger-extension prior approval route; extensions beyond permitted development need a planning application.
Classes 1A and 1B do not apply in conservation areas, and listed buildings need listed building consent.
Where in Edinburgh and the Lothians do we work?
FAQ
Questions people ask
Can I match pebbledash or render?
Yes. Many semis are refinished with new render across the whole back elevation so old and new match.
Single or two-storey on a semi?
Two-storey if you need bedrooms, single-storey if you need a bigger kitchen. Planning risk is lower for single-storey.
What if my neighbour has already extended?
That can make a matching depth easier to justify. We measure theirs at the survey.
Do you cover all of Edinburgh and the Lothians?
We cover 14 towns and districts in Edinburgh and the Lothians, including Edinburgh, Livingston and Musselburgh.
Who builds the extension?
Vetted building teams working under contract to us; your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.