Side return extensions in Dundee and Angus

Covering Dundee and Angus

We cover Dundee and Angus, including Dundee, Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose, and the towns around them.

Homes in Dundee and Angus

In Scotland many families extend bungalows and semis, while tenement flats bring shared ownership of roofs and walls that needs agreeing early.

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.

Building warrant application and completion certificate
Structural steel to remove the side wall
Glazed or solid roof with rooflights

What is the guide price for a side return extension in Dundee and Angus?

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 Scotland?

Projects in Scotland need a building warrant from the council before any building work starts, and a completion certificate once it is finished. Planning permission is a separate decision. The Party Wall etc. Act does not apply in Scotland; shared walls are governed by title deeds and the law of the tenement where relevant.

Scotland has its own householder permitted development rules, and small single-storey rear extensions are often covered.

What should Dundee and Angus homeowners check first?

Glazed roofs need careful detailing against the neighbour’s wall.
Many terraces sit in conservation areas, where side extensions need planning permission.

What are the steps?

Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
Free site visit. We measure up, look at access, drains and the structure, and talk through options and budget.
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.

What people ask before starting

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.

Who deals with the council for a project in Dundee and Angus?

We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.

Also covering

Learn more about side return extensions, or see every project we cover in Dundee and Angus.