Edinburgh and the Lothians
Side return extensions in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. We design and build rear extensions across Edinburgh and the Lothians, from Edinburgh and Livingston to Musselburgh, covering single-storey kitchen extensions, two-storey additions, side returns and wraparounds.
In Edinburgh we check the boundary line and the neighbour's gutter before drawing a side return, because a few centimetres decide whether the wall goes on or beside the boundary. Edinburgh and the Lothians has sandstone villas and terraces, post-war semis and four-in-a-block flats. Flats need planning permission for an extension, and every project needs a building warrant before work starts.
How much does a side return extension cost in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
A side return extension in Edinburgh and the Lothians is priced at £2,180–£3,610 per square metre including VAT as a guide, before kitchen fit-out and fees. Prices in Scotland sit a little below our West Midlands baseline; building warrant fees and drawings are budgeted separately.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²) | £26,000–£43,500 |
| 2.5 m wide × 7 m deep (17.5 m²) | £38,000–£63,000 |
These are guide ranges; the written quote after the survey is the figure that counts.
Do you need planning permission in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Scottish householder rights treat the side part of a wraparound or side infill more strictly than a plain rear extension, so most need planning permission, and all need a building warrant.
There is no Party Wall Act in Scotland; neighbour matters are handled through the title deeds, common law and written agreement before work starts.
Classes 1A and 1B do not apply in conservation areas, and listed buildings need listed building consent.
Where in Edinburgh and the Lothians do we work?
FAQ
Questions people ask
How much space does a side return add?
Typically 8 to 18 square metres, enough to turn a galley kitchen into a kitchen-diner with an island.
Can I combine a side return with a rear extension?
Yes; that is a wraparound extension, and it gives the biggest open-plan room a terrace can have.
Glass roof or solid roof with rooflights?
A glass roof gives the most light; a solid roof with long rooflights is warmer and quieter in rain. Both work.
Do you cover all of Edinburgh and the Lothians?
We cover 14 towns and districts in Edinburgh and the Lothians, including Edinburgh, Livingston and Musselburgh.
Who builds the extension?
Vetted building teams working under contract to us; your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.