Side return extensions in Andover: design, approvals and build
If you live in Andover and want more space without moving, a side return extension is one of the most practical ways to get it. We handle the drawings, approvals and the build.
- Guide price in AndoverFrom £20,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development; party wall notice usual
- Build time10–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsSP10, SP11
Do I need planning permission in Andover?
In England a single-storey side return infill is often permitted development if it stays within the height limits and is no wider than half the width of the original house. Conservation areas, listed buildings and flats always need an application, and the boundary wall usually brings in the Party Wall Act.
Before any drawing is finalised we check whether the house is listed, in a conservation area or subject to an Article 4 direction.
Building over or within 3 m of a public sewer needs the water company's consent, usually through a build-over agreement, before the foundations go in.
Building regulations approval is separate from planning. In England you can use the council's building control team or a registered building control approver; a full plans application gets the drawings checked before work starts, and the inspector signs the work off with a completion certificate.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
Extensions in and around Andover
Site visits are available across Andover (SP10, SP11). The same team covers Winchester (13 miles), Basingstoke (18 miles), Eastleigh (18 miles), Totton (20 miles), all within easy reach.
Homes across the South East range from Victorian terraces in the older town centres to large detached houses on the edges, so the right extension type varies street by street.
What should I budget for a side return extension in Andover?
These guide figures apply our South East England adjustment (×1.12) to national rates. They include VAT at 20% and cover the build itself; design and council fees are listed separately.
Typical rates in Andover: £2,350 to £4,260 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m × 4.5 m 8 m² | £20,000 – £24,000 | £21,500 – £27,000 | £26,500 – £34,500 |
| 2 m × 5.5 m 11 m² | £25,500 – £31,000 | £29,500 – £37,000 | £36,500 – £47,000 |
| 2.2 m × 7 m 15 m² | £35,000 – £42,500 | £40,000 – £50,500 | £50,000 – £64,000 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Who a side return extension suits
- Homes where the garden is too small to lose much depth
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces with a rear outrigger
- Narrow galley kitchens
Light is the design problem. A side return can make the middle of the house darker if the roof is solid, so we model the daylight and usually recommend a glazed slope or a run of rooflights along the boundary edge.
What happens next
Site visits are free and there is no obligation. Where drawings are needed, the design stage is priced in writing before it starts.
Free site visit
A designer visits, takes measurements and photos, and discusses layouts, budget and timing with you.
Design and approvals
Once the layout is agreed, we deal with the council: planning permission or written confirmation that none is needed, plus building control.
Fixed written price
The price is fixed in writing once the design is settled, with a clear programme and payment stages.
Build and sign-off
Our team builds the extension, keeps you updated weekly and finishes with building control sign-off.
Questions people ask about side return extensions
Do you cover all of Andover?
Yes. We cover Andover and the surrounding parts of Hampshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Will my neighbours in Andover be involved?
If a planning application or prior approval is needed, the council notifies neighbours. If the work is on or near a shared boundary, party wall notices may also be needed.
Do I need building regulations approval in Andover?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
How much does a side return extension cost?
Our guide range is about £2,350 to £4,260 per m² including VAT, so a typical 2 m × 5.5 m infill lands around £29,500 to £37,000 at standard spec in Andover, more in London.
Will the kitchen be darker?
Not if the roof is designed well. A glazed roof or a line of rooflights along the boundary usually makes the room brighter than before.
Book a free site visit in Andover
We will measure up, check the planning position and give you honest guide figures.
- Free, no-obligation site visit
- Planning route checked before you spend on drawings
- Written price once the design is agreed
- Building control sign-off at the end
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6341 or .
Book a free site visit
Tell us a little about the project and we will arrange a time.