Covering Downpatrick
Alongside Downpatrick, we also cover Comber (15 miles to the north), Newtownards and Lisburn.
Homes in County Down
Northern Ireland has a high proportion of detached houses and bungalows outside the cities, which often suit side extensions, rear extensions and upward extensions.
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.
- Planning and building control applications to the council
- Underfloor heating ready screed if wanted
- Plastering and making good to the old house
What will a side return extension cost?
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 |
What approvals does a side return extension need in Northern Ireland?
In Northern Ireland the council handles both planning and building control. Permitted development rules are set by the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015, and there is no party wall act, so we agree access and protection with neighbours in writing.
In Northern Ireland permitted development is set by the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015, and small single-storey rear extensions can often go ahead without an application. Building control approval from the council is still needed.
What should Downpatrick homeowners check first?
- Access is often through the house, so we plan deliveries and protect floors.
- Glazed roofs need careful detailing against the neighbour’s wall.
How does the project run?
- Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
- 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.
- We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.
What people ask before starting
How much does a side return extension cost?
Usually about £3,350 to £4,550 per square metre including VAT, which works out at around £35,000 to £55,000 for a typical side return before the kitchen.
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.
Do you work in Downpatrick?
Yes. Downpatrick is within our coverage for side return extensions, along with nearby Comber and Newtownards.
Side return extensions in nearby towns
- Side return extensions in Comber
- Side return extensions in Newtownards
- Side return extensions in Lisburn
- Side return extensions in Belfast
Learn more about side return extensions, or see every project we cover in Downpatrick.