Chelsea, Greater London
Side return extension in Chelsea
For homes in Chelsea, 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 Chelsea (SW3, SW7 and SW10) as part of our Greater London work. In Chelsea 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 Chelsea?
For Chelsea we work from the London rate: £2,990–£4,940 per square metre of new floor, including VAT, standard specification. London prices sit at the top of our range because of labour rates, access through the house, parking suspensions and skip licences.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²) | £36,000–£59,500 |
| 2.5 m wide × 7 m deep (17.5 m²) | £52,500–£86,500 |
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 Chelsea?
Here is how the rules in England apply to a side return extension in Chelsea.
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 Chelsea like to extend?
Period terraces in Chelsea sit alongside flats, and the difference matters: houses usually keep permitted development rights, while flats and maisonettes need planning permission for any rear extension.
How a side return extension in Chelsea 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.
Options and costs
We draw layout options and price each one, so the budget shapes the design rather than surprising you later.
Planning and regulations
We take the design through the right planning route, then produce the construction drawings and engineer's calculations for building control.
Fixed price and build
A written price for the agreed design, a start date and a named contact through the build, ending with the building control completion certificate.
Side return extensions near Chelsea
From Chelsea, the nearest places we also cover are Battersea (1.1 miles) and Fulham (1.4 miles).
- Side return extension in Battersea
- Side return extension in Fulham
- Side return extension in Pimlico
- Side return extension in Notting Hill
- Side return extension in Shepherds Bush
Other work in Chelsea:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Chelsea
What postcode areas do you cover around Chelsea?
Including SW3, SW7 and SW10, and the surrounding Greater London area.
Do you handle building control in Chelsea?
Yes. We apply to the council or a registered building control approver and hand over the completion certificate.
Where does the drainage go?
Side passages often carry the soil and rainwater pipes. We survey them first and reroute them under the new floor where needed.
How much does a side return extension cost in Chelsea?
As a guide, £2,990–£4,940 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. For example, 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²): about £36,000–£59,500 at that rate. Your written price follows the survey.
Is the site visit in Chelsea free?
Yes. We visit, measure up and talk through the options with no cost and no obligation.
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.