If you'd like to extend your home but you are working with minimal space, a side return extension may provide you with the additional room you need. A side return extension typically refers to an extension built between semi-detached homes which have a gap running between the two houses for storing bikes, bins, and more.

A side return extension makes use of a disused area of the home, creating additional room inside without taking away valuable space from the garden. This can be particularly helpful if your garden is small and you'd like to retain as much of it as possible.

In some cases, adding a side return extension can be an effective way to introduce additional light into the home, as skylights can be added to the roof to create a more airy, spacious feel indoors.

In desirable, built-up areas where floorspace is a sought-after commodity, adding a side return extension has the potential to increase the value of your property and increase buyer interest.

Although there are many benefits to adding a side return extension to your home, there are also some potential drawbacks that are worth considering. Extensions of this kind can be complicated in nature; there is limited space for works to be performed, which can present challenges and it more complicated for labour to be performed. As a result of this, the costs of this build can sometimes be higher than other extension types (although this will vary from property to property).

Additionally, a side return extension may reduce ease of access to the garden, so it is important to consider how you will store items like bins which are usually brought through this passageway.

Permitted development rights allow homeowners to perform certain alterations to their property without the need for a full planning application. In some cases, a side return extension will qualify for permitted development.

In some instances, a full planning application might be required for your extension. For example, this might be required in conservation areas, on listed buildings, or areas otherwise facing restrictions on new developments/ extensions. If you're unsure as to whether your property will qualify for permitted development, we can provide advice on how best to proceed in this situation.

Since you are performing works on a shared boundary, you will need to issue a party wall notice to any affected neighbours at least 2 months before your project begins. Your neighbour may either consent to this notice, meaning that your works can begin as anticipated, or dissent, meaning that you will need a party wall surveyor to perform the procedures set out by the Party Wall Act 1996.

Your extension will need to comply with building control regulations. These regulations are in place to ensure that your safe is structurally sound and safe, helping you and any future buyers of your home to have peace of mind about the structure. Failure to comply with these regulations will land you in serious legal trouble. It's important, therefore, to ensure that you've taken all of the necessary steps to verify that your new structure will be safe and properly constructed.

Your building regulation drawings and structural designs will provide important information about your project. It often contains important information about your structure's stability, damp proofing, load bearing capacity, thermal efficiency, proximity to nearby structures, trees, and more.

Need help creating drawings Building Regulation Drawings and Structural Designs for your project? At Punchard Group, we are able to help you create the drawings you need to keep your project moving forward. We offer a free initial consultation to help you get clear on the drawings you need.

The cost of your side return extension will vary depending upon how many storeys you intend to build, how accessible the area is for the labour to be performed, the materials you intend to use, the soundness of the existing structure, the amenities you need, and more. Generally, a build like this may cost anywhere between £23,000 and £50,000+.

The short answer is yes, it is possible to build a side return extension without knocking through walls. This would result in a long, corridor-like room. However, you will still need to create a doorway to access your new room from. The feasibility of creating an extension like this will depend on the size of the gap, the surrounding structure, the placement of windows, and more. It's important to consider the amount of room that will be taken up by the walls, insulation, etc, as these will eat into the gap significantly.

One of the risks of creating a room like this is that it may negatively impact the light in the attached room, especially if you will be removing windows to make room for it. Additionally, open-plan living spaces are generally more desirable, meaning that your extension may bring less of a return than it would if you had expanded an existing room when you come to sell your house.

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Since you will be working with a limited amount of space, it's important to carefully consider where you'll place openings. Adding windows strategically can help you bring as much light as possible into your space and prevent it from feeling enclosed. Similarly, it's important to consider where to place your doors to ensure that the room flows seamlessly with the rest of the house.

Your side return extension will likely be close to a neighbouring property. To ensure that your new space is private and respects the privacy of your neighbours, you may want to consider using frosted glass in areas where it is needed (such as roof lights overlooked by a neighbouring window).

Another factor to consider is how your side return extension will affect your access to your back garden. This can impact where you will store your bins and how you will access bikes, among other things. It's generally a good idea to maintain a strip of land to access the back garden where possible.

Overall, a side return extension is a great way to create more space in your home. If you're unsure whether it's a good fit for your property or if you're ready to start the process, our team is here to assist you. We'll discuss your goals with you and suggest any other potential possibilities for your property if you'd like to weigh up the options for your home.

To find out more, enter your information on our contact page, and our team will contact you to schedule your free initial consultation.