Side return extensions in Cornwall
We design and build side return extensions for houses in Cornwall, with a written price once the survey and design are done and one point of contact throughout.
- Guide priceFrom £18,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development; party wall notice usual
- Towns covered9
- Site visitFree, no obligation
Working in Cornwall
Towns we cover in Cornwall include Redruth, Falmouth, St Austell, Truro, Camborne, Newquay, Penzance, Bodmin. In the South West, local stone, render and brick vary from town to town, so matching materials is a big part of designing an extension that looks right.
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
Will the council need to approve it?
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).
Guide prices for Cornwall
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Cornwall we use our South West England factor (×1.02). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Cornwall: £2,140 to £3,880 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m × 4.5 m 8 m² | £18,000 – £22,000 | £19,500 – £24,500 | £24,000 – £31,500 |
| 2 m × 5.5 m 11 m² | £23,500 – £28,500 | £26,500 – £34,000 | £33,500 – £43,000 |
| 2.2 m × 7 m 15 m² | £32,000 – £38,500 | £36,500 – £46,000 | £45,500 – £58,500 |
For a figure based on your own dimensions, use our guide-price tool.
Our process, step by step
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
The price is fixed in writing once the design is settled, with a clear programme and payment stages.
Build and sign-off
We build it with one project manager, book the building control inspections and hand over the completion certificate.
Common questions in Cornwall
How long does a side return extension take to build in Cornwall?
On site, typically 10 to 14 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 6–12 weeks design and approvals.
Do you cover all of Cornwall?
Yes, across the whole of Cornwall. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Will my neighbours in Cornwall 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.
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.
How much does a side return extension cost?
Our guide range is about £2,140 to £3,880 per m² including VAT, so a typical 2 m × 5.5 m infill lands around £26,500 to £34,000 at standard spec in Cornwall, more in London.
Book a free site visit in Cornwall
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.