Tonbridge, Kent
Side return extension in Tonbridge
Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. We design, get the approvals for and build side return extensions in Tonbridge and the surrounding area, with one contract from the first survey to building control sign-off.
Tonbridge is covered from our Kent round, including TN9, TN10 and TN11. In Tonbridge 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 Tonbridge?
For Tonbridge we work from the South East England rate: £2,580–£4,260 per square metre of new floor, including VAT, 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 |
We put a fixed price in writing once the design is agreed, and explain any provisional sums such as foundations.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension in Tonbridge?
Here is how the rules in England apply to a side return extension in Tonbridge.
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. 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 Tonbridge like to extend?
Tonbridge 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 Tonbridge 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 Tonbridge
From Tonbridge, the nearest places we also cover are Royal Tunbridge Wells (4.3 miles) and Sevenoaks (6.5 miles).
- Side return extension in Royal Tunbridge Wells
- Side return extension in Sevenoaks
- Side return extension in Crowborough
- Side return extension in Maidstone
- Side return extension in Snodland
Other work in Tonbridge:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Tonbridge
How long does a rear extension take to build in Tonbridge?
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 Tonbridge free?
Yes. We visit, measure up and talk through the options with no cost and no obligation.
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.
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.
What postcode areas do you cover around Tonbridge?
Including TN9, TN10 and TN11, and the surrounding Kent area.
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.