Covering Whitehaven
Alongside Whitehaven, we also cover Workington, Cockermouth (12 miles to the north-east) and Dalbeattie.
Projects in Cumbria are taken on by arrangement, and any travel and accommodation costs for the team are shown openly in the quote.
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 is included in a side return extension in Whitehaven?
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 should I budget for a side return extension?
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 England?
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. Deeper extensions, up to 6 m or 8 m, need prior approval from the council first.
What can affect a side return extension?
- Most side returns touch a shared boundary, so the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 usually applies in England and Wales.
- 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.
- Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.
What people ask before starting
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.
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.
Who deals with the council for a project in Whitehaven?
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 Workington
- Side return extensions in Cockermouth
- Side return extensions in Dalbeattie
- Side return extensions in Ulverston
Learn more about side return extensions, or see every project we cover in Whitehaven.