30/03/2023
Are you a homeowner with a wasted outdoor space alongside your ground floor area? If so, a side-return extension could be the solution to your problem. By building an extension onto the side alleyway, you can create much-needed living space in your home. This type of extension is particularly popular with Victorian terraced properties, which often feature alleyways in their configuration. By filling in the side alleyway, you can square off L-shaped properties and add additional space.
Compared to other common extensions, such as rear extensions, side extensions use up dead space rather than the best parts of your garden. This makes them ideal for homeowners living in areas where green space is at a premium. If you're considering building a side extension, here's everything you need to know:
Cost: A simple side extension design will cost anything from £20,000 to £50,000, depending on your location, the size of the extension, the design complexity, the contractors you use, and the building materials you want. Adding extras like a kitchen or glazed external doors will affect the final cost.
Structural work: Building a side extension involves constructing a new wall on either the boundary between your property and your neighbour's land or solely on your side of the boundary. You'll also need to add a roof (consider a fully glazed design or one with several skylights to flood the interior with light), partially or completely knock through the side wall to the existing rear room (a steel frame may need to be inserted to support the new opening), and put in a new floor, level with the existing floor.
Architect: Some conservatory companies and specialist builders offer a complete design and build package service, which means you don't need to hire an architect or structural engineer. However, experts recommend bringing an architect on board for large-scale home improvement projects. Architects can help guide you through each stage of the pre-construction journey, handle your planning application, maximise and customise the space your project creates, manage budget expectations, and ensure you're never caught out by the costs involved.
Planning permission: You no longer need planning permission for a ground floor side-extension under permitted development, as long as the extension is only single storey, no more than 4m high, and no wider than half the width of the original house. You'll still need to comply with Building Regulations and possibly with the Party Wall Act if you're creating a new boundary wall between you and your neighbour.
Timeline: Plan for at least eight to ten weeks for the structural work, plus more for decorating the interior of the new space. The timing for side returns can vary depending on the complexity of your project, whether you face any planning challenges, and if you need to resolve any tricky party wall matters. However, on average, it takes around 19 weeks to get your project ready for construction and between 10-16 weeks for construction to be completed.
If you're ready to take the next step and build a side extension call us now on 07843414993