Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
Side return extension in Rickmansworth
For homes in Rickmansworth, 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.
Rickmansworth and its postcode districts WD1, WD3 and WD18 are part of our Hertfordshire coverage. Side return projects in Rickmansworth 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 Rickmansworth?
For Rickmansworth we work from the East of England rate: £2,440–£4,030 per square metre of new floor, including VAT, 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 |
Ground conditions, glazing, the roof and how far the house is opened up move the final figure within the range.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension in Rickmansworth?
Here is how the rules in England apply to a side return extension in Rickmansworth.
Side return infills and the side leg of a wraparound are treated as side extensions in England: single-storey, no more than 4 metres high and no wider than half the original house. They are not permitted development in conservation areas, National Parks or National Landscapes, and a joined wraparound often needs a planning application because the side and rear rules apply together.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies in England: you serve notice two months before work to a shared wall, and one month before digging foundations within 3 metres (or 6 metres for deeper foundations) of a neighbour's building. Neighbours can agree in writing; if they dissent, surveyors agree an award.
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 Rickmansworth like to extend?
Post-war semis and newer estates are typical of Rickmansworth, 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 Rickmansworth 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.
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 Rickmansworth
Neighbouring places we cover include Batchworth (0.7 miles) and Croxley Green (1.2 miles).
- Side return extension in Batchworth
- Side return extension in Croxley Green
- Side return extension in Chorleywood
- Side return extension in West Watford
- Side return extension in Northwood
Other work in Rickmansworth:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Rickmansworth
How long does a rear extension take to build in Rickmansworth?
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 the site visit in Rickmansworth free?
Yes. We visit, measure up and talk through the options with no cost and no obligation.
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 you handle building control in Rickmansworth?
Yes. We apply to the council or a registered building control approver and hand over the completion certificate.
Can you match the brick or stone on my Rickmansworth house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.
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.