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 Oakham?
In Oakham, 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. Building costs in the East Midlands run about 5% below the UK average, and the figures for Oakham are adjusted to reflect that. 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 main things that change the cost:
- Glazed roof specification
- Steel beams and propping of the back addition
- Party wall surveyor fees
- Length of the side return
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 Oakham?
The approval route for Oakham is set by planning law 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
On a typical side return extension we handle:
- Floor levelling, heating and electrics
- Drawings and planning or permitted development check
- Party wall advice and notices
- Survey of party walls, drains and the existing back addition
- Building control sign-off
- Steel beams to remove the side wall
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 10 to 14 weeks on site. Before that, surveys, drawings and approvals usually take 3 to 4 months, longer if the council asks for changes.
Building in Oakham
In the East Midlands, many estates built since the 1960s have integral garages that convert well into a study or bedroom.
Oakham sits in Rutland. We cover the whole of Oakham, including postcodes LE15.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about side return extensions in Oakham
Will I need a party wall agreement?
Almost certainly in England and Wales, because side returns sit on or near the boundary. Notices must be served before work starts, and a party wall surveyor may be appointed if the neighbour does not consent.
How do you get materials in?
Mid-terrace houses often have no rear access, so materials come through the house. We protect floors and plan deliveries carefully.
Does a side return extension need planning permission?
It depends on the design and where you live. In England a side return can sometimes be permitted development, but side extensions in conservation areas and on many terraced streets need an application. We check your house’s rights before designing.
How much does a side return extension cost in Oakham?
In Oakham, 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.
Do you build side return extensions in Oakham?
Yes. We build side return extensions across Oakham, including postcodes LE15. Every project starts with a free home visit.