Crystal Palace, Greater London
Side return extension in Crystal Palace
For homes in Crystal Palace, 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.
Crystal Palace is covered from our Greater London round, including SE19, SE20 and SE26. In Crystal Palace 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 Crystal Palace?
For Crystal Palace 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 Crystal Palace?
Whether your side return extension in Crystal Palace 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 Crystal Palace like to extend?
Much of Crystal Palace is Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing with narrow back additions, which suits side returns, wraparounds and 3 metre rear extensions. Many streets are in conservation areas, gardens are short, and almost everything comes through the house or along a rear alley.
How a side return extension in Crystal Palace 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.
Paperwork handled
Planning, prior approval or permitted development, Building Regulations approval, structural design and party wall notices are all handled by us.
Build and sign-off
We build to the approved drawings with regular updates, then hand over the building control completion certificate and any guarantees from suppliers.
Side return extensions near Crystal Palace
Close by, we work in Upper Norwood, about 0.7 miles away, and Gipsy Hill, about 0.8 miles away.
- Side return extension in Upper Norwood
- Side return extension in Gipsy Hill
- Side return extension in South Norwood
- Side return extension in Norbury
- Side return extension in Thornton Heath
Other work in Crystal Palace:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Crystal Palace
How long does a rear extension take to build in Crystal Palace?
Most single-storey rear extensions take 10 to 16 weeks on site and two-storey extensions 16 to 26 weeks, after design and approvals.
Do you handle building control in Crystal Palace?
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 Crystal Palace?
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.
Can you match the brick or stone on my Crystal Palace house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.
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.