Covering Nairn
Nairn sits 15 miles north-east of Inverness, with Forres 10 miles to the east and Inverness 15 miles to the south-west.
Projects in the Highlands are taken on by arrangement, and any travel and accommodation costs for the team are shown openly in the quote.
Homes in the Highlands
Housing in Scotland includes tenements in the cities, sandstone villas, inter-war and post-war semis and a large number of bungalows, which often suit dormer and upward extensions.
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.
- Building warrant application and completion certificate
- 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?
Guide prices for side return extensions, including VAT where it applies. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing after the survey.
| 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 Nairn?
Scottish projects follow a different process from England: the council issues a building warrant before work starts and accepts a completion certificate at the end, alongside any planning permission needed. We prepare both applications.
Scotland has its own householder permitted development rules, and small single-storey rear extensions are often covered.
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
- 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.
- 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.
Side return extensions: common questions
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.
Do you work in Nairn?
Yes. Nairn is within our coverage for side return extensions, along with nearby Forres and Inverness.
Other towns nearby
- Side return extensions in Forres
- Side return extensions in Inverness
- Side return extensions in Dingwall
- Side return extensions in Elgin
Learn more about side return extensions, or see every project we cover in Nairn.