Side return extensions in Carrickfergus
We design and build side return extensions for houses in Carrickfergus, with a written price once the survey and design are done and one point of contact throughout.
- Guide price in CarrickfergusFrom £15,000 inc VAT
- PlanningDepends on the NI limits; checked at the survey
- Build time10–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsBT38
When a side return extension makes sense
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces with a rear outrigger
- Homes where the garden is too small to lose much depth
- 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.
Planning rules that apply in Carrickfergus
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.
Homes in conservation areas, areas of townscape character and listed buildings have tighter rules, so we always check the property's status and planning history before design 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.
Building close to a public sewer needs the agreement of NI Water, which we check during design.
Applications are decided by your council, which handles local planning in Northern Ireland.
Working in Carrickfergus
Postcode districts we cover around Carrickfergus include BT38. We also work in nearby Newtownabbey (6 miles), Larne (9 miles), Belfast (10 miles), Castlereagh (10 miles).
Northern Ireland's housing ranges from city terraces to large numbers of detached houses and bungalows on rural plots, many in render, where single-storey extensions fit easily.
What should I budget for a side return extension in Carrickfergus?
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Carrickfergus we use our Northern Ireland factor (×0.86). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Carrickfergus: £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.
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
First, a site visit: we look at the house, garden, access and drains and listen to what you need.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
Fixed written price
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
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 I need building regulations approval in Carrickfergus?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Do you cover all of Carrickfergus?
Yes. We cover Carrickfergus and the surrounding parts of County Antrim. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Will my neighbours in Carrickfergus be involved?
If a planning application is needed, the council notifies neighbours. Where work is close to a shared boundary, we agree access and protection with them in writing.
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 Carrickfergus, more in London.
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.
Book a free site visit in Carrickfergus
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.