Side return extensions in Bathgate: design, approvals and build
A side return extension in Bathgate starts with the right design and the right approval route. We take care of both, then build it with our own project management.
- Guide price in BathgateFrom £17,500 inc VAT
- PlanningScottish householder rules; building warrant needed
- Build time10–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsEH48

Is a side return extension right for your house?
- 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.
Local to Bathgate
Postcode districts we cover around Bathgate include EH48. We also work in nearby Livingston (5 miles), Broxburn (7 miles), Penicuik (17 miles), Edinburgh (18 miles).
Scotland's housing includes sandstone villas, terraces and tenements in the cities and plenty of post-war and modern houses and bungalows elsewhere. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
How much does a side return extension cost in Bathgate?
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Bathgate we use our Scotland factor (×0.98). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Bathgate: £2,060 to £3,720 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m × 4.5 m 8 m² | £17,500 – £21,000 | £18,500 – £24,000 | £23,500 – £30,000 |
| 2 m × 5.5 m 11 m² | £22,500 – £27,000 | £25,500 – £32,500 | £32,000 – £41,000 |
| 2.2 m × 7 m 15 m² | £30,500 – £37,000 | £35,000 – £44,500 | £44,000 – £56,000 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Planning and approvals in Bathgate
In Scotland, householder permitted development rules (Class 1A for single-storey ground-floor extensions and Class 1B for extensions of more than one storey) allow some smaller extensions without a planning application, within limits on depth, height and distance from the boundary. Conservation areas and listed buildings are more restricted.
In a conservation area or national scenic area the householder permitted development rights are more limited, listed homes need listed building consent, and if rights have been removed by a condition or direction, any extension needs an application.
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Where work affects a shared wall or a neighbour's land, we agree access, protection and making good with your neighbour in writing before work starts.
In Scotland a building warrant from the council is needed before work starts on almost any extension, and a completion certificate is issued when the work is accepted. Building standards are set in the Scottish technical handbooks.
Applications are decided by your council as planning authority.
From first visit to completion
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
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
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
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 Bathgate
Do you cover all of Bathgate?
Yes. We cover Bathgate and the surrounding parts of Edinburgh and the Lothians. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
How long does a side return extension take to build in Bathgate?
On site, typically 10 to 14 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 6–12 weeks design and approvals.
Who do I contract with for a side return extension in Bathgate?
Your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, which designs and manages the project and the build teams who carry it out.
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.
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 Bathgate
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.