Side return extensions in Manchester

Covering Manchester

We work in Manchester (M1, M2, M3) and the places around it, including Salford, Old Trafford and Droylsden.

Homes in the North West

Across the North West, Victorian terraces, inter-war semis and modern estates all feature, and brick or stone matching is chosen to suit each street.

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.

Party wall notices and surveyor liaison
Structural steel to remove the side wall
Plastering and making good to the old house

How much should I budget for a side return extension?

Indicative costs for side return extensions. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.

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

Do you need permission for a side return extension in Manchester?

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 should I think about before starting?

Access is often through the house, so we plan deliveries and protect floors.
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.
We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

Side return extensions: common questions

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.

Will I need a party wall agreement?

Most likely, because the new wall usually sits on or near the boundary. We serve the notices and work with your neighbour’s surveyor if one is appointed.

Do you work in Manchester?

Yes. Manchester is within our coverage for side return extensions, along with nearby Salford and Old Trafford.

Also covering

Learn more about side return extensions, or see every project we cover in Manchester.