House Extension Bearsden | Single & Two Storey Extensions G61

House extensions in Bearsden present unique opportunities and challenges. The predominantly 1920s–1950s sandstone properties in G61 offer generous rear gardens suited to single-storey extensions, but older construction requires careful assessment of foundations and wall ties. Home Decor Zone Ltd has worked on sandstone properties throughout Bearsden and Westerton and understands the specific demands of this housing stock.

Extension Types in Bearsden

Single-Storey Rear Extension — from £50,000

The most popular choice in G61. A single-storey rear extension creates an open-plan kitchen-dining-family room that flows to the garden — particularly impactful in Bearsden’s 1930s semis where the original kitchen was often a small separate room at the rear. Bifold or sliding doors across the full rear elevation are the most requested feature. Cost: £2,400–£3,400/m² inc. VAT for mid-to-high spec.

Side Return Extension — from £42,000

Many Bearsden semis have a narrow side passage. A side return extension widens the ground floor, typically to create a larger kitchen or utility area. Often combined with a rear section.

Two-Storey Extension — from £90,000

Adds ground-floor living space plus a first-floor bedroom above. Always requires planning permission from East Dunbartonshire Council. Popular where the house already has a strong rear extension and the priority is adding bedroom count.

Cost Guide — Bearsden House Extensions 2025–26

Type	Cost Inc. VAT	Build Time
Single-storey rear (20m²)	£50,000–£75,000	12–16 weeks
Single-storey rear (30m²)	£75,000–£115,000	14–18 weeks
Side return	£42,000–£70,000	10–14 weeks
Two-storey	£90,000–£148,000	20–26 weeks

Sandstone properties may require additional foundation depth or wall tie replacement — assessed at survey and priced before work starts.

Planning & Building Warrant — East Dunbartonshire Council

Bearsden falls under East Dunbartonshire Council for planning permission and building warrant — not Glasgow City Council. Scotland’s two-track approval system: these are separate applications.

Planning permission: Single-storey rear extensions up to 4m (detached) or 3m (semi) usually qualify as permitted development. Exceptions: Bearsden Cross conservation area; extensions over 4m; two-storey; side extensions beyond 4m. We check conservation area status at survey.
Building warrant: Always required. We manage the full application to East Dunbartonshire Building Standards.
Party walls: The Party Wall Act 1996 does not apply in Scotland. Shared gable walls on Bearsden semis are covered by common law. We advise on neighbourly access and notification before work starts.

Bearsden Sandstone Properties — What to Know

Pre-war sandstone properties in Bearsden have characteristics that differ from modern builds:

Original solid walls (no cavity) — extensions must be properly bonded or tied to the existing structure; thermal bridging must be managed in the new insulated cavity wall junction
Lime mortar throughout — new work must be sympathetically jointed to avoid cracking at the old/new interface
Deeper, narrower strip foundations than modern builds — may require underpinning or deeper foundation design depending on proximity to existing footings
Sandstone window and door reveals — matching the existing stonework in the extension if external walls are exposed

FAQ

Do I need planning permission for a house extension in Bearsden?

A single-storey rear extension up to 4m (detached) or 3m (semi) usually qualifies as permitted development — no planning application required. Properties in Bearsden Cross conservation area and two-storey extensions always need planning permission from East Dunbartonshire Council. A building warrant is always required.

How much does a house extension cost in Bearsden?

A mid-spec 20m² single-storey rear extension in Bearsden costs £50,000–£75,000 inc. VAT. Sandstone properties sometimes require additional foundation or stonework work which is assessed and priced at survey before any commitment is made.