Side return extensions for homes in Golders Green
From the first sketch to final sign-off, we plan and build side return extensions in Golders Green and the surrounding Greater London area.
- Guide price in Golders GreenFrom £23,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development; party wall notice usual
- Build time10–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsN2, N3, NW2, NW4, NW11
What we take care of
- Design to keep daylight in the middle of the house
- Kitchen-ready shell or full finish
- Survey of the outrigger, boundary wall and drainage
- Glazed, sloping or flat roof with rooflights
- Party wall notice support (England and Wales)
- Removal of the side wall and new steelwork
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 Golders Green
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.
Homes in conservation areas, national parks, National Landscapes (formerly AONBs), the Broads and World Heritage Sites have tighter rules, so we always check the property's status and planning history before design starts.
If the work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 m (sometimes 6 m) of a neighbour's building, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notice must be served before work starts: two months for work to a party wall, one month for new walls on the boundary and for excavations.
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.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
What should I budget for a side return extension in Golders Green?
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Golders Green we use our London factor (×1.3). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Golders Green: £2,730 to £4,940 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m × 4.5 m 8 m² | £23,000 – £28,000 | £24,500 – £31,500 | £31,000 – £40,000 |
| 2 m × 5.5 m 11 m² | £30,000 – £36,000 | £34,000 – £43,000 | £42,500 – £54,500 |
| 2.2 m × 7 m 15 m² | £40,500 – £49,000 | £46,500 – £58,500 | £58,500 – £74,500 |
For a figure based on your own dimensions, use our guide-price tool.
Local to Golders Green
Site visits are available across Golders Green (N2, N3, NW2, NW4, NW11). The same team covers Cricklewood (2 miles), Kilburn (2 miles), Finchley (2 miles), Muswell Hill (3 miles), all within easy reach.
Borehamwood, in Hertfordshire, is roughly 6 miles from Golders Green and also on our list. London's housing is dominated by Victorian and Edwardian terraces, many with a rear outrigger and a side return, and 1930s semis in the outer boroughs. Conservation areas are common, so the planning check comes first.
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
First, a site visit: we look at the house, garden, access and drains and listen to what you need.
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
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
Build and sign-off
The build is managed from start to finish, inspected at each stage and signed off on completion.
Common questions in Golders Green
Do I need building regulations approval in Golders Green?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Who do I contract with for a side return extension in Golders Green?
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.
How long does a side return extension take to build in Golders Green?
On site, typically 10 to 14 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 6–12 weeks design and approvals.
How much does a side return extension cost?
Our guide range is about £2,730 to £4,940 per m² including VAT, so a typical 2 m × 5.5 m infill lands around £34,000 to £43,000 at standard spec in Golders Green, 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 Golders Green
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.