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The urban landscape of London has a rich stock of residential property. The terraced and semi-detached homes of Edwardian and Victorian origin had their hay day long ago. Now people want change and space for new possibilities that define modern life. Everyone is looking to improve their home, and nothing improves it better than space. Side return extensions London bring out the best in your home with an unprecedented potential for change. All Victorian terraced houses have a pathway that runs along the side, forming an L shaped garden. It is a place usually reserved for the bins and disused and discarded items. Building out on to this strip of land is called a side return extension. By knocking through interior walls, you can create one combined space or leave it separated with an indoor entrance. Whichever you choose, this method offers extra floor space for you to use. Usually, Side Returns are used for kitchen extensions to achieve an open-plan design that integrates the kitchen with a dining area, but your creativity doesn’t have to stop there.

The average time it takes is usually 4-5 months. Once the extension project kicks off, we work continuously until completion. However, delays for the building commencement can result from waiting for planning approval, should you need it, and party wall agreements. Required time also varies according to the size of the Side Return and the complexity of the design. If you are using the new volume as part of the kitchen and needs fitting or using it as a bathroom, there is more work involved than building it as a dining area or a utility room.

A single-storey Side Return is considered a permitted development (PD), which means you do not need planning permission. If your house is in a conservation area or listed, your PD rights may no longer apply. Guidelines also require for the;

  • The extension to be no higher than 4m
  • It covers only half the width of the existing house and half the land area around the house
  • If there are no balconies, verandas, or raised platforms

To avoid violating any building regulations, you need to consult a professional architectural designer. Before we begin our Build phase, we prepare detailed technical drawings with precision structural calculations. You also need Party Wall Agreements to ensure there is no objection from neighbours when making structural changes to boundary walls. We assist you in this regard by working with party wall surveyors, as well as undertaking the planning application process.

Numerous factors determine the construction cost. The average Side Return extension cost stands at £35,000. You will be spending £1500 – £2000 as cost per square metre in London, although this can slightly vary depending on the design of your terraced house. We present you with an accurate estimate at the early stage of the process.

Good Design & Build team is always prepared to guide you through your extension projects with free initial consultation, site visit, and itemised quotes. Call us today to learn more.

Side Returns require structural changes to the boundary wall you share with neighbours, as this becomes your new house wall on that side. With no windows to allow natural light, you are looking at roof lights as an alternative. You can choose a flat or a sloped roof (pitched roof) for the extension. Sloped roofs are often the better choice for durability and rainwater drainage. Using a glass door or window can improve the look with the bonus of views of the garden. Adapting the plumbing is another important task as Manholes, waste downpipes, and rainwater downpipes should stay out of the way and out of sight. You will also need a new floor for the extended area, and if you are using it as an open-plan area, you need to match the new floor to the existing one.

Unlike a rear extension, a Side Return is walled-up on its wider side. Due to this reason, it needs help to stream in light. The roof is the ultimate light giver in this scenario. While a complete glass roof is optional, you can add skylights for natural illumination. A glass wall or ceiling to floor glass doors/windows, too, can contribute to harnessing natural light. Artificial light is also crucial, and you can fix lighting to the ceiling and walls. If you are installing kitchen units in the area, fitting lights underneath wall cabinets and shelves help light up the worktops without overcrowding the walls or roof space. You can fit a light under the extractor fan too. If you have a glass ceiling, long-armed wall lights can provide lighting solutions when there is no option to affix lights to the roof. You can suspend lighting this way, especially when you want to keep the wooden beams of your roof clean or when there is no chance of direct overhead lighting. A comfortable head height allows for pendant lights, especially for dining areas. You can also leave recesses in the ceiling or walls for ambient lighting. White or lighter shades of work surfaces, wall cupboards, shelves, and floor can help brighten up a room.

Downstairs bathroom

A second or a third bathroom never goes to waste when you have a big family. Include a swanky skylight for the shower area, and you might even be looking at a bath if the size permits.

Brick wall

By exposing the brickwork of your new wall or even using fancier bricks for the purpose, you can still retain the garden wall look. Introduce house plants and wall plants along with skylights, and you will create a pleasant outdoorsy feel for dining.

Pave the way

By extending the floor of the extension to the immediate garden area, you are creating an illusion of a larger space. Add a garden table and chairs or a comfy bench in the paved area. Divide the two areas by a glass window or wall with a discreet frame.

Don't move. Extend in style

We can save you the hassle that comes with moving not to mention the heavy stamp duty! Adding an extra loft bedroom or enlarging the living kitchen dining space on ground floor is an economical way of transforming your home to suit growing needs. The projects can range from £40-100K depending on your requirements and can be completed within 8-16 weeks.

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How we deliver projects

Our process is simple and divided into two distinct phases with separate contracts: Design and Build. As a client you only commit to one phase at a time depending on what stage of the process you are in. Each phase consists of three stages as described below.

1. Design

This is the kick-off point for your project. We carry out a complete architectural measured survey of the property. This allows us to create accurate CAD design drawings. This is followed by a design meeting to start discussing your ideas in more detail.

2. Planning

At this stage we finalise the designs with you and start preparing planning applications as needed. We place a high priority on ensuring that plans, designs and schedules are all based on a thorough and detailed understanding of planning guidelines. We co-ordinate with local authorities until the decision is made, and the planning approval is secured.

3. Technical

Once the planning consent is secured, we translate the design drawings into more detailed technical drawings for the purposes of building control and construction. This also includes specifications and structural calculations. At this stage, we will also submit to you our ‘no obligation’ quote for the build phase.

4. Pre-build

90% of our clients decide to stick with us after the design phase is completed. Once the build contract is signed, we kick off the process by making sure all the pre-build processes are complete. These include assistance with party wall agreements, Thames Water build over agreement, submitting building control application, and preparing method statements etc as needed. This stage ends with a pre-start meeting with your foreman before the actual build begins.

5. Build

One of our foremen will be dedicated to your project and will be on-site to manage everyday works. Our project managers will be overseeing the works to make sure they are completed to high standards, within your budget and on time. Throughout the process we will keep you updated with the progress and coordinate the works with third parties such as kitchen or flooring suppliers. We will also advise and guide you to choose any suppliers if needed.

6. Handover

As the build draws to finish, we will help to iron out any ‘snags’ to make sure everything is completed to your satisfaction. We will put together all necessary certificates such as gas, electricity and building control completion along with warranties for glazing, boiler etc. At the final completion meeting, we will hand you these documents, together with the keys to your house. Needless to say, you can contact us any time after this, if you want us to look at something.

This is the kick-off point for your project. We carry out a complete architectural measured survey of the property. This allows us to create accurate CAD design drawings. This is followed by a design meeting to start discussing your ideas in more detail.

At this stage we finalise the designs with you and start preparing planning applications as needed. We place a high priority on ensuring that plans, designs and schedules are all based on a thorough and detailed understanding of planning guidelines. We co-ordinate with local authorities until the decision is made, and the planning approval is secured.

Once the planning consent is secured, we translate the design drawings into more detailed technical drawings for the purposes of building control and construction. This also includes specifications and structural calculations. At this stage, we will also submit to you our ‘no obligation’ quote for the build phase.

90% of our clients decide to stick with us after the design phase is completed. Once the build contract is signed, we kick off the process by making sure all the pre-build processes are complete. These include assistance with party wall agreements, Thames Water build over agreement, submitting building control application, and preparing method statements etc as needed. This stage ends with a pre-start meeting with your foreman before the actual build begins.

One of our foremen will be dedicated to your project and will be on-site to manage everyday works. Our project managers will be overseeing the works to make sure they are completed to high standards, within your budget and on time. Throughout the process we will keep you updated with the progress and coordinate the works with third parties such as kitchen or flooring suppliers. We will also advise and guide you to choose any suppliers if needed.

As the build draws to finish, we will help to iron out any ‘snags’ to make sure everything is completed to your satisfaction. We will put together all necessary certificates such as gas, electricity and building control completion along with warranties for glazing, boiler etc. At the final completion meeting, we will hand you these documents, together with the keys to your house. Needless to say, you can contact us any time after this, if you want us to look at something.

Featured Projects

Fulham

Orbain Road SW6 7JZ

This project was completed in 2023 and the approximate budget was £101,000.

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Kitchen Extension in East Sheen

Lambeth

Hetherington Road SW4

We completed this stunning project for our client Angus in Lambeth.

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Teddington

Station Road SW4 7PA

We completed this exciting project for our clients on Station Road, a quaint residential area in the heart of Teddington.

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Leyton

Windsor Road E10

We completed this kitchen extension on Windsor Road, a charming residential street nestled in the heart of Leyton.

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Clapham

Hydethorpe Road SW12 0JF

We did this kitchen extension project for our clients in Hydethorpe Road SW12.

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What Our Clients Say

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Areas we cover

Chiswick

Acton

Balham

Battersea

Chelsea

Clapham

Croydon

Ealing

Earlsfield

Elmbridge

Epsom

Fulham

Hammersmith

Hampton

Hillingdon

Hounslow

Kensington

Kew

Maida Vale

Mortlake

Putney

Richmond

Sheen

Surrey

Teddington

Tooting

Twickenham

Wandsworth

West London

Build a Quote!

Let's get started with building your own bespoke quote for your dream extension. Tell us as much in detail as possible to get most accurate price.

Get Started

Build a Quote!

Let's get started with building your own bespoke quote for your dream extension. Tell us as much in detail as possible to get most accurate price.

Get Started