Ballymena side return extensions, designed and built
Planning a side return extension in Ballymena? We survey the house, work out the planning route, draw the design and build it, so you deal with one team from the first visit to the completion certificate.
- Guide price in BallymenaFrom £15,000 inc VAT
- PlanningDepends on the NI limits; checked at the survey
- Build time10–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsBT42, BT43
Planning and approvals in Ballymena
In Northern Ireland the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 lets some single-storey rear extensions go ahead without planning permission, up to 3 m on a semi-detached or terraced house and 4 m on a detached house, within height and boundary limits. Larger, side and two-storey extensions normally need planning permission from the council, and building control approval is separate.
In a conservation area or area of townscape character the permitted development rights are more limited, listed homes need listed building consent, and if rights have been removed by a condition, any extension needs an application.
Northern Ireland has no Party Wall Act. Where work is on or close to a shared boundary, we agree access and protection with your neighbour in writing before work starts.
In Northern Ireland building control is run by the councils under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland). We submit full plans or a building notice and book the inspections through to completion.
Applications are decided by your council, which handles local planning in Northern Ireland.
Covering Ballymena
Site visits are available across Ballymena (BT42, BT43). We also work in nearby Antrim (10 miles), Larne (18 miles), Newtownabbey (20 miles), Carrickfergus (21 miles).
Magherafelt, in County Londonderry, is roughly 16 miles from Ballymena and also on our list. In Northern Ireland, extension projects follow the NI planning rules and council building control, which we account for from the first survey.
Guide prices for Ballymena
These guide figures apply our Northern Ireland adjustment (×0.86) to national rates. They include VAT at 20% and cover the build itself; design and council fees are listed separately.
Typical rates in Ballymena: £1,810 to £3,270 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m × 4.5 m 8 m² | £15,000 – £18,500 | £16,500 – £21,000 | £20,500 – £26,500 |
| 2 m × 5.5 m 11 m² | £19,500 – £24,000 | £22,500 – £28,500 | £28,000 – £36,000 |
| 2.2 m × 7 m 15 m² | £27,000 – £32,500 | £30,500 – £39,000 | £38,500 – £49,500 |
For a figure based on your own dimensions, use our guide-price tool.
Who a side return extension suits
- Narrow galley kitchens
- Homes where the garden is too small to lose much depth
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces with a rear outrigger
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.
How the project works
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
We visit your Ballymena home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
Fixed written price
We confirm the build price in writing, based on the approved drawings and the finishes you have chosen.
Build and sign-off
The build is managed from start to finish, inspected at each stage and signed off on completion.
Your questions about a side return extension in Ballymena
How long does a side return extension take to build in Ballymena?
On site, typically 10 to 14 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 6–12 weeks design and approvals.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Ballymena, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Do I need building regulations approval in Ballymena?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Can I combine a side return with a rear extension?
Yes. That combination is a wraparound extension, which adds the most space to a terraced house.
How much does a side return extension cost?
Our guide range is about £1,810 to £3,270 per m² including VAT, so a typical 2 m × 5.5 m infill lands around £22,500 to £28,500 at standard spec in Ballymena, more in London.
Book a free site visit in Ballymena
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.