Braintree, Essex
Side return extension in Braintree
We plan and build side return extensions for homeowners in Braintree. Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. Start with a free site visit, then a written price once the design is agreed.
We cover Braintree (CM7 and CM77) as part of our Essex work. In Braintree 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.
Book a free site visit
Tell us about the house and we'll call to arrange a free, no-obligation visit.
How much does a side return extension cost in Braintree?
For Braintree we work from the East of England rate: £2,440–£4,030 per square metre of new floor, including VAT, standard specification. East of England prices run slightly above our West Midlands baseline; clay soils near trees are the main foundation variable.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²) | £29,500–£48,500 |
| 2.5 m wide × 7 m deep (17.5 m²) | £42,500–£70,500 |
We put a fixed price in writing once the design is agreed, and explain any provisional sums such as foundations.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension in Braintree?
The planning route for a side return extension in Braintree is set by England's householder rules and your council.
In England the side part of a side return or wraparound must meet the side-extension rules (one storey, under 4 metres high, no more than half the width of the original house), and those rights do not apply on designated land. Because a wraparound combines a side and a rear extension, many need householder planning permission.
Because rear extensions often sit on or near the boundary, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 usually applies in England. Notices go out one or two months before work depending on the type of work, and a surveyor's award is only needed if a neighbour does not consent.
Conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads restrict permitted development, and listed buildings always need listed building consent. Before any drawing we look up the property's history with the council, because earlier extensions and removed rights change the answer.
What are homes in Braintree like to extend?
Post-war semis and newer estates are typical of Braintree, and many have room for a full-width extension. Shrinkable clay is common in the East of England, so foundations near trees and hedges are designed to NHBC-style depth guidance.
How a side return extension in Braintree comes together
Look round and measure
A free visit to see the back of the house, measure it, check the drains and boundaries and hear what you need.
Options and costs
We draw layout options and price each one, so the budget shapes the design rather than surprising you later.
Approvals
Permitted development check, prior approval or planning application, then Building Regulations drawings and structural calculations, plus party wall notices where they apply.
Written price, then build
Once the design and approvals are in place, you get a fixed written price and programme, and we build through to sign-off.
Side return extensions near Braintree
Close by, we work in Halstead, about 5.9 miles away, and Witham, about 6.6 miles away.
- Side return extension in Halstead
- Side return extension in Witham
- Side return extension in Chelmsford
- Side return extension in Maldon
- Side return extension in Sudbury
Other work in Braintree:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Braintree
How much does a side return extension cost in Braintree?
As a guide, £2,440–£4,030 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. For example, 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²): about £29,500–£48,500 at that rate. Your written price follows the survey.
Can you match the brick or stone on my Braintree house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.
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 live at home while the extension is built?
Usually yes. Most of the work is outside until the back wall is opened near the end, and that stage is screened off.
Do you handle building control in Braintree?
Yes. We apply to the council or a registered building control approver and hand over the completion certificate.
Will I need a structural engineer?
Yes for the beam over the new opening and usually the foundations; we arrange them and their calculations go to building control.