What is a side return extension?
A side return extension fills the narrow passage that runs alongside the back addition of many Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses. It widens a galley kitchen into a proper kitchen-diner, usually with a sloping glazed roof to keep the room bright.
How much does a side return extension cost in Leominster?
In Leominster, a side return extension typically costs £2,250–£3,200 per m² of floor area, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). For a typical 12 m² project that is roughly £27,000–£38,500. Prices in the West Midlands sit near the national average for this kind of work, and the range for Leominster reflects that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (8 m²) | £18,000–£25,500 |
| Typical project (12 m²) | £27,000–£38,500 |
| Larger project (17 m²) | £38,000–£54,500 |
| Rate per m² | £2,250–£3,200 |
What moves the price most:
- Glazed roof specification
- Moving drains and soil stacks
- Steel beams and propping of the back addition
- Party wall surveyor fees
A guide range is only a starting point: the guide price tool gives an instant figure for your size, and a free survey turns it into a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension in Leominster?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location in England. In England a side return infill is treated as a side extension. It may be permitted development if it is single-storey, no more than 4 metres high and no wider than half the original house, but not in a conservation area. Because side returns sit on the boundary, party wall notices are almost always needed.
Where work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 metres of a neighbour’s building and deeper than its foundations (or within 6 metres for deeper work), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notices must be served before work starts.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Survey of party walls, drains and the existing back addition
- Steel beams to remove the side wall
- Glazed or solid roof with insulation
- Building control sign-off
- Floor levelling, heating and electrics
- Drawings and planning or permitted development check
How long does it take?
Allow 10 to 14 weeks on site. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 3 to 4 months.
Building in Leominster
Across the West Midlands, inter-war and post-war semis make up much of the housing, giving good scope for two-storey side extensions and hip-to-gable lofts.
Leominster sits in Herefordshire, about 12 miles north of Hereford. We cover the whole of Leominster, including postcodes HR6.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Build and handover
Work follows the agreed programme, with inspections along the way and a completion certificate at the end.
Questions about side return extensions in Leominster
Can I stay in the house?
Usually, though the kitchen will be out of action for several weeks. We plan a temporary kitchen area where possible.
How much space does a side return add?
Typically 1.5 to 2.5 metres of width along the back addition. It often turns a narrow galley kitchen into a family kitchen-diner.
How long does a side return extension take in Leominster?
Typically 10 to 14 weeks on site. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 3 to 4 months.
Is a glass roof too hot or cold?
Modern solar-control double or triple glazing reduces glare and heat loss. Building regulations also limit how much glazing you can have unless the design shows it performs well enough.
How much does a side return extension cost in Leominster?
In Leominster, a side return extension typically costs £2,250–£3,200 per m² of floor area, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). A typical 12 m² project comes to roughly £27,000–£38,500. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.