Side return extensions across Herne Bay
From the first sketch to final sign-off, we plan and build side return extensions in Herne Bay and the surrounding Kent area.
- Guide price in Herne BayFrom £20,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development; party wall notice usual
- Build time10–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsCT6
Included in a typical project
- Party wall notice support (England and Wales)
- New boundary wall or raised party wall
- Survey of the outrigger, boundary wall and drainage
- Glazed, sloping or flat roof with rooflights
- Removal of the side wall and new steelwork
- Design to keep daylight in the middle of the house
Covering Herne Bay
We cover Herne Bay and the postcode districts CT6. Nearby, we also take on projects in Whitstable (5 miles), Canterbury (7 miles), Faversham (11 miles), Margate (11 miles).
Southend-on-Sea, in Essex, is roughly 21 miles from Herne Bay and also on our list. Homes across the South East range from Victorian terraces in the older town centres to large detached houses on the edges, so the right extension type varies street by street.
Planning rules that apply in Herne Bay
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.
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.
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.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
Guide prices for Herne Bay
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Herne Bay we use our South East England factor (×1.12). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Herne Bay: £2,350 to £4,260 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m × 4.5 m 8 m² | £20,000 – £24,000 | £21,500 – £27,000 | £26,500 – £34,500 |
| 2 m × 5.5 m 11 m² | £25,500 – £31,000 | £29,500 – £37,000 | £36,500 – £47,000 |
| 2.2 m × 7 m 15 m² | £35,000 – £42,500 | £40,000 – £50,500 | £50,000 – £64,000 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
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
Drawings are prepared and agreed with you, then submitted for the right planning route and building regulations approval.
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.
Side return extension questions answered
Do you cover all of Herne Bay?
Yes. We cover Herne Bay and the surrounding parts of Kent. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
How long does a side return extension take to build in Herne Bay?
On site, typically 10 to 14 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 6–12 weeks design and approvals.
Do I need building regulations approval in Herne Bay?
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.
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 Herne Bay
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.