Godalming, Surrey
Side return extension in Godalming
Side return extension in Godalming: infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. We measure the house, show you what the rules allow, price it in writing and build it.
Godalming and its postcode districts GU7 are part of our Surrey coverage. Side returns suit the Victorian and Edwardian terraces found across parts of Surrey, where the kitchen sits in a narrow back addition.
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 Godalming?
For Godalming 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 |
Your written price follows a measured survey and an agreed design, so it reflects your house, not an average.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension in Godalming?
Whether your side return extension in Godalming needs a planning application depends on its size, your house and any local restrictions.
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. 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 Godalming like to extend?
Around Godalming the housing ranges from inter-war semis to 1960s and 1970s estates with good-sized gardens. Many of the newer estates had permitted development rights removed by condition, so we check the planning history before anything is drawn.
How a side return extension in Godalming comes together
Survey visit
We visit free of charge, measure up, check access, drainage and neighbours' extensions, and note what you want the room to do.
Design and guide price
Two or three layout options with a guide price for each, so you choose the design knowing what it costs.
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 Godalming
From Godalming, the nearest places we also cover are Guildford (3.8 miles) and Cranleigh (6.4 miles).
- Side return extension in Guildford
- Side return extension in Cranleigh
- Side return extension in Haslemere
- Side return extension in Aldershot
- Side return extension in Hale
Other work in Godalming:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Godalming
What postcode areas do you cover around Godalming?
Including GU7, and the surrounding Surrey area.
Do you handle building control in Godalming?
Yes. We apply to the council or a registered building control approver and hand over the completion certificate.
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.
How long does a rear extension take to build in Godalming?
Most single-storey rear extensions take 10 to 16 weeks on site and two-storey extensions 16 to 26 weeks, after design and approvals.
How much does a side return extension cost in Godalming?
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 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.