Dover, Kent
Side return extension in Dover
We plan and build side return extensions for homeowners in Dover. 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.
We cover Dover (CT14, CT16 and CT17) as part of our Kent work. In Dover 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 Dover?
A side return extension in Dover is priced at £2,580–£4,260 per square metre including VAT as a guide, before kitchen fit-out and fees. 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 |
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 Dover?
The planning route for a side return extension in Dover is set by England's householder rules and your council.
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. We check your house's planning history and any conservation area before drawing, so the route is clear before you spend on plans.
What are homes in Dover like to extend?
Dover 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 Dover comes together
Look round and measure
A free visit to see the back of the house, measure it, check the drains and boundaries and hear what you need.
Options and costs
We draw layout options and price each one, so the budget shapes the design rather than surprising you later.
Approvals
Permitted development check, prior approval or planning application, then Building Regulations drawings and structural calculations, plus party wall notices where they apply.
Build and sign-off
We build to the approved drawings with regular updates, then hand over the building control completion certificate and any guarantees from suppliers.
Side return extensions near Dover
From Dover, the nearest places we also cover are Folkestone (7.0 miles) and Deal (7.8 miles).
- Side return extension in Folkestone
- Side return extension in Deal
- Side return extension in Hythe
- Side return extension in Canterbury
- Side return extension in Ramsgate
Other work in Dover:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Dover
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.
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.
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.
Can I get a price without a visit?
Our online guide-price tool gives a range in a couple of minutes. A written price needs a survey.
How much does a side return extension cost in Dover?
As a guide, £2,580–£4,260 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. For example, 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²): about £31,000–£51,000 at that rate. Your written price follows the survey.
Can you match the brick or stone on my Dover house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.