Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Side return extension in Berkhamsted
Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. We design, get the approvals for and build side return extensions in Berkhamsted and the surrounding area, with one contract from the first survey to building control sign-off.
We cover Berkhamsted (HP4) as part of our Hertfordshire work. Side returns suit the Victorian and Edwardian terraces found across parts of Hertfordshire, 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 Berkhamsted?
In Berkhamsted, our guide for a side return extension is £2,440–£4,030 per square metre including VAT for a 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 Berkhamsted?
Planning for a side return extension in Berkhamsted follows the English householder rules.
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 Berkhamsted like to extend?
Post-war semis and newer estates are typical of Berkhamsted, 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 Berkhamsted comes together
Survey visit
We visit free of charge, measure up, check access, drainage and neighbours' extensions, and note what you want the room to do.
Design and guide price
Two or three layout options with a guide price for each, so you choose the design knowing what it costs.
Paperwork handled
Planning, prior approval or permitted development, Building Regulations approval, structural design and party wall notices are all handled by us.
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 Berkhamsted
We also build side return extensions in nearby Chesham (4.4 miles) and Tring (4.6 miles).
- Side return extension in Chesham
- Side return extension in Tring
- Side return extension in Hemel Hempstead
- Side return extension in Amersham on the Hill
- Side return extension in Amersham
Other work in Berkhamsted:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Berkhamsted
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.
Is the site visit in Berkhamsted free?
Yes. We visit, measure up and talk through the options with no cost and no obligation.
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.
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.
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in Berkhamsted?
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.
What postcode areas do you cover around Berkhamsted?
Including HP4, and the surrounding Hertfordshire area.