Covering Lisburn
Alongside Lisburn, we also cover Belfast, Newtownabbey (11 miles to the north-east) and Holywood.
Homes in County Antrim
Across Northern Ireland you find city terraces, suburban semis and rural bungalows and farmhouses, so the right approach depends on the plot and the planning history.
What is 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
- Drainage and new gully positions
- Plastering and making good to the old house
How much should I budget for a side return extension?
Typical ranges for side return extensions. Ground conditions, access and specification move the final figure, which we fix in writing before work starts.
| 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 Lisburn?
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.
What can affect a side return extension?
- Glazed roofs need careful detailing against the neighbour’s wall.
- Many terraces sit in conservation areas, where side extensions need planning permission.
From first call to completion
- Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
- We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
- Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
Questions about a side return extension in Lisburn
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.
How long does a side return take?
About 10 to 14 weeks on site.
Who deals with the council for a project in Lisburn?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Side return extensions in nearby towns
- Side return extensions in Belfast
- Side return extensions in Newtownabbey
- Side return extensions in Holywood
- Side return extensions in Comber
Learn more about side return extensions, or see every project we cover in Lisburn.