Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Side return extension in Hemel Hempstead
Thinking about a side return extension in Hemel Hempstead? Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. Our team handles the drawings, the planning route and the build, and your contract is with one company throughout.
Hemel Hempstead and its postcode districts HP1, HP2 and HP3 are part of our Hertfordshire coverage. Side return projects in Hemel Hempstead usually start with a drainage survey of the side passage.
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 Hemel Hempstead?
In Hemel Hempstead, 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 |
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 Hemel Hempstead?
Planning for a side return extension in Hemel Hempstead 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. At the first visit we measure what is there now and tell you which route fits: permitted development, prior approval or a planning application.
What are homes in Hemel Hempstead like to extend?
Post-war semis and newer estates are typical of Hemel Hempstead, 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 Hemel Hempstead 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.
Drawings and budget
Floor plans and elevations for the options, each with a guide price.
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 Hemel Hempstead
From Hemel Hempstead, the nearest places we also cover are Abbots Langley (3.6 miles) and Berkhamsted (5.0 miles).
- Side return extension in Abbots Langley
- Side return extension in Berkhamsted
- Side return extension in St Albans
- Side return extension in North Watford
- Side return extension in Harpenden
Other work in Hemel Hempstead:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Hemel Hempstead
Do you handle building control in Hemel Hempstead?
Yes. We apply to the council or a registered building control approver and hand over the completion certificate.
How long does a rear extension take to build in Hemel Hempstead?
Most single-storey rear extensions take 10 to 16 weeks on site and two-storey extensions 16 to 26 weeks, after design and approvals.
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.
Can you match the brick or stone on my Hemel Hempstead house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.
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.
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.