Highlands and Islands
Side return extensions in the Highlands and Islands
Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. Across the Highlands and Islands we handle the whole rear extension: survey, drawings, the planning route, building control and the build. Towns we cover here include Inverness, Elgin and Nairn.
Island and remote addresses in the Highlands and Islands are by arrangement: we confirm whether we can take the job, and agree any travel costs, before the first visit.
Side return projects in Inverness usually start with a drainage survey of the side passage. Highlands and Islands has older stone houses, post-war homes and many detached houses and bungalows on larger plots. Wind and rain shape the design: roof pitch, cladding and glazing are chosen for the weather, and every extension needs a building warrant.
How much does a side return extension cost in the Highlands and Islands?
In the Highlands and Islands, our guide for a side return extension is £2,180–£3,610 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. Prices in Scotland sit a little below our West Midlands baseline; building warrant fees and drawings are budgeted separately.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²) | £26,000–£43,500 |
| 2.5 m wide × 7 m deep (17.5 m²) | £38,000–£63,000 |
These are guide ranges; the written quote after the survey is the figure that counts.
Do you need planning permission in the Highlands and Islands?
In Scotland side extensions are more restricted than rear ones under householder permitted development, and wraparounds generally need planning permission. A building warrant is required before work starts.
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Work to shared walls is governed by property law and the title deeds, so we agree access and protection with neighbours in writing before work begins.
Classes 1A and 1B do not apply in conservation areas, and listed buildings need listed building consent.
Where in the Highlands and Islands do we work?
FAQ
Questions people ask
How much space does a side return add?
Typically 8 to 18 square metres, enough to turn a galley kitchen into a kitchen-diner with an island.
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.
Glass roof or solid roof with rooflights?
A glass roof gives the most light; a solid roof with long rooflights is warmer and quieter in rain. Both work.
Do you cover all of the Highlands and Islands?
We cover 5 towns and districts in the Highlands and Islands, including Inverness, Elgin and Nairn. Remote and island addresses are by arrangement.
Who builds the extension?
Vetted building teams working under contract to us; your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.