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 Nottinghamshire?
In Nottinghamshire, a side return extension typically costs £2,200–£3,150 per m² of floor area, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). For a typical 12 m² project that is roughly £26,500–£38,000. We start from a UK-wide guide and adjust it for the East Midlands, where labour and materials are typically about 5% below average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (8 m²) | £17,500–£25,000 |
| Typical project (12 m²) | £26,500–£38,000 |
| Larger project (17 m²) | £37,500–£53,500 |
| Rate per m² | £2,200–£3,150 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Access through the house for materials
- Glazed roof specification
- Moving drains and soil stacks
- Party wall surveyor fees
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension in Nottinghamshire?
Before anything is built in Nottinghamshire, we confirm which approvals apply 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.
If the answer is not clear-cut, we can apply for formal confirmation before you commit to the build.
What we handle
From survey to sign-off, the job normally involves:
- Steel beams to remove the side wall
- Drawings and planning or permitted development check
- Building control sign-off
- Foundations and drainage, including any build-over agreement
- Floor levelling, heating and electrics
- Survey of party walls, drains and the existing back addition
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 10 to 14 weeks on site. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 3 to 4 months.
Building in Nottinghamshire
In the East Midlands, many estates built since the 1960s have integral garages that convert well into a study or bedroom.
Towns we cover in Nottinghamshire include Nottingham, Mansfield, Worksop, Newark on Trent, Arnold and West Bridgford.
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 pricing
Design options, then a fixed quote based on the chosen drawings and specification.
- 03
Approvals in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 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 Nottinghamshire
How much does a side return extension cost in Nottinghamshire?
In Nottinghamshire, a side return extension typically costs £2,200–£3,150 per m² of floor area, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). A typical 12 m² project comes to roughly £26,500–£38,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
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.
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.
Who approves a side return extension in Nottinghamshire?
Planning matters in Nottinghamshire go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.