Grays, Essex
Side return extension in Grays
For homes in Grays, a side return extension is often the simplest way to gain space without moving. Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. We take it from survey to completion certificate.
We cover Grays (RM16, RM17 and RM20) as part of our Essex work. Side returns suit the Victorian and Edwardian terraces found across parts of Essex, where the kitchen sits in a narrow back addition.
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 Grays?
A side return extension in Grays is priced at £2,440–£4,030 per square metre including VAT as a guide, before kitchen fit-out and fees. 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 |
These are guide ranges; the written quote after the survey is the figure that counts.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension in Grays?
Whether your side return extension in Grays needs a planning application depends on its size, your house and any local restrictions.
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. We check your house's planning history and any conservation area before drawing, so the route is clear before you spend on plans.
What are homes in Grays like to extend?
Grays mixes Victorian terraces with 1930s semis, so both side returns and full-width kitchen extensions suit houses here.
How a side return extension in Grays comes together
Free site visit
We measure the house and garden, look at the back wall, drainage and boundaries, and talk through what you want from the space.
Design and guide price
Two or three layout options with a guide price for each, so you choose the design knowing what it costs.
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 Grays
We also build side return extensions in nearby Chafford Hundred (1.6 miles) and Tilbury (1.7 miles).
- Side return extension in Chafford Hundred
- Side return extension in Tilbury
- Side return extension in Swanscombe
- Side return extension in South Ockendon
- Side return extension in Gravesend
Other work in Grays:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Grays
How long does a rear extension take to build in Grays?
Most single-storey rear extensions take 10 to 16 weeks on site and two-storey extensions 16 to 26 weeks, after design and approvals.
Can you match the brick or stone on my Grays house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.
Is a side return permitted development?
Sometimes, as a side extension within the width and height limits, but not in conservation areas, and many terraces are in one.
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in Grays?
Often not for a single-storey rear extension of up to 3 metres (4 metres on a detached house) under permitted development, or up to 6 or 8 metres with prior approval, unless the house is in a conservation area or its rights have been removed.
Do I need a party wall agreement?
In England, usually yes if the extension is on or near a shared boundary or the foundations are close to a neighbour's building. We serve the notices.
How much does a side return extension cost in Grays?
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.