Covering County Durham
Our side return extensions service in County Durham covers Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and Durham and more.
Homes in the North East
The North East has terraced housing including Tyneside flats, inter-war semis and post-war estates, so loft conversions, rear extensions and layout changes are popular ways to add space.
What goes into a side return extension?
A side return extension builds over the narrow passage that runs beside the back of many Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, widening the kitchen or dining room by a metre or two. It is usually combined with a glazed or part-glazed roof so the deeper room still gets daylight.
- Party wall notices and surveyor liaison
- Drainage and new gully positions
- Underfloor heating ready screed if wanted
How much does a side return extension cost in County Durham?
Use these ranges to budget for side return extensions; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.
| Side return extensions | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Standard specification | £3,350 to £3,700 per m² |
| Good specification | £3,700 to £4,150 per m² |
| High specification | £4,150 to £4,550 per m² |
How is a side return extension approved in County Durham?
Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies.
In England a single-storey rear extension can often go ahead under permitted development: up to 3 m deep on an attached house or 4 m on a detached one, no higher than 4 m, with eaves no higher than 3 m within 2 m of a boundary.
What can change the price or programme?
- Access is often through the house, so we plan deliveries and protect floors.
- Glazed roofs need careful detailing against the neighbour’s wall.
What are the steps?
- Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
- Survey at your house. We look at the existing structure, services and access, and agree what the design needs to achieve.
- Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
- Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.
Side return extensions: common questions
Is a glazed roof too hot in summer?
Modern solar-control glass and a mix of glazed and solid roof keep it comfortable. We advise on the balance during design.
How long does a side return take?
About 10 to 14 weeks on site.
Do you work in County Durham?
Yes. County Durham is within our coverage for side return extensions, along with nearby Darlington and Hartlepool.
Also covering
- Side return extensions in Darlington
- Side return extensions in Hartlepool
- Side return extensions in Stockton-on-Tees
- Side return extensions in Durham
- Side return extensions in Chester-le-Street
- Side return extensions in Billingham
- Side return extensions in Stanley
- Side return extensions in Consett
- Side return extensions in Newton Aycliffe
- Side return extensions in Bishop Auckland
- Side return extensions in Seaham
Learn more about side return extensions, or see every project we cover in County Durham.