Covering London
Our side return extensions service in London covers Brent, Islington, Bexley and Barking and more.
Homes in London
Much of London’s housing is Victorian and Edwardian terraces, which is why side return extensions, rear dormers and mansards are so common. Many streets are in conservation areas, and several boroughs use Article 4 directions that remove some permitted development rights.
What does a side return extension involve?
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.
- Glazed or solid roof with rooflights
- Underfloor heating ready screed if wanted
- Plastering and making good to the old house
How much does a side return extension cost in London?
What side return extensions typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.
| 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 England?
In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it 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?
- Most side returns touch a shared boundary, so the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 usually applies in England and Wales.
- Access is often through the house, so we plan deliveries and protect floors.
How does the project run?
- 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.
- Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
Your questions answered
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 London?
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 Brent
- Side return extensions in Islington
- Side return extensions in Bexley
- Side return extensions in Barking
- Side return extensions in Archway
- Side return extensions in Sutton
- Side return extensions in Croydon
- Side return extensions in Ilford
- Side return extensions in Enfield
- Side return extensions in Harrow
- Side return extensions in Tottenham
- Side return extensions in Walthamstow
- Side return extensions in Dagenham
- Side return extensions in Becontree
- Side return extensions in Romford
- Side return extensions in Hayes
- Side return extensions in Wembley
- Side return extensions in Fulham
- Side return extensions in Edmonton
- Side return extensions in Southall
- Side return extensions in Putney
- Side return extensions in Battersea
- Side return extensions in Purley
- Side return extensions in Peckham
- Side return extensions in Chingford
- Side return extensions in Uxbridge
- Side return extensions in Wimbledon
- Side return extensions in Stamford Hill
- Side return extensions in Brixton
- Side return extensions in Hounslow
- Side return extensions in Finchley
- Side return extensions in Cricklewood
- Side return extensions in Mitcham
- Side return extensions in Feltham
- Side return extensions in Acton
- Side return extensions in Beckenham
- Side return extensions in Chelsea
- Side return extensions in Streatham
- Side return extensions in South Croydon
- Side return extensions in Leytonstone
- Side return extensions in Eltham
- Side return extensions in Morden
- Side return extensions in Carshalton
- Side return extensions in Catford
- Side return extensions in Willesden
- Side return extensions in Canning Town
- Side return extensions in Holloway
- Side return extensions in Welling
- Side return extensions in Shepherd's Bush
- Side return extensions in Surbiton
- Side return extensions in Greenford
- Side return extensions in Heston
- Side return extensions in Stratford
- Side return extensions in Chiswick
- Side return extensions in Thamesmead
- Side return extensions in Ruislip
- Side return extensions in Greenwich
- Side return extensions in Barnet
- Side return extensions in Kilburn
- Side return extensions in Wood Green
- Side return extensions in Muswell Hill
- Side return extensions in Bow
- Side return extensions in Highbury
- Side return extensions in Camden Town
- Side return extensions in Northolt
- Side return extensions in Coulsdon
- Side return extensions in Hornchurch
- Side return extensions in Blackheath
- Side return extensions in Isleworth
- Side return extensions in New Malden
- Side return extensions in Hanworth
- Side return extensions in Woodford Green
- Side return extensions in Richmond
- Side return extensions in Barnes
- Side return extensions in Notting Hill
Learn more about side return extensions, or see every project we cover in London.