Canterbury, Kent
Side return extension in Canterbury
We plan and build side return extensions for homeowners in Canterbury. Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. Start with a free site visit, then a written price once the design is agreed.
Canterbury and its postcode districts CT1, CT2, CT5 and CT6 are part of our Kent coverage. In Canterbury 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 Canterbury?
In Canterbury, our guide for a side return extension is £2,580–£4,260 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. South East prices run above our West Midlands baseline, mainly on labour rates and clay-soil foundations.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²) | £31,000–£51,000 |
| 2.5 m wide × 7 m deep (17.5 m²) | £45,000–£74,500 |
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 Canterbury?
Whether your side return extension in Canterbury needs a planning application depends on its size, your house and any local restrictions.
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 Canterbury like to extend?
Canterbury has a mix of Victorian terraces near the centre and larger Edwardian and inter-war houses further out. Clay soils across much of the South East mean deeper foundations near trees, which we plan for at the survey.
How a side return extension in Canterbury 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.
Options and costs
We draw layout options and price each one, so the budget shapes the design rather than surprising you later.
Planning and regulations
We take the design through the right planning route, then produce the construction drawings and engineer's calculations for building control.
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 Canterbury
Close by, we work in Whitstable, about 6.1 miles away, and Herne Bay, about 6.8 miles away.
- Side return extension in Whitstable
- Side return extension in Herne Bay
- Side return extension in Faversham
- Side return extension in Ashford
- Side return extension in Folkestone
Other work in Canterbury:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Canterbury
How long does a rear extension take to build in Canterbury?
Most single-storey rear extensions take 10 to 16 weeks on site and two-storey extensions 16 to 26 weeks, after design and approvals.
What postcode areas do you cover around Canterbury?
Including CT1, CT2, CT5 and CT6, and the surrounding Kent area.
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.
Do you handle building control in Canterbury?
Yes. We apply to the council or a registered building control approver and hand over the completion certificate.
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 you match the brick or stone on my Canterbury house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.