Potters Bar side return extensions, designed and built
If you live in Potters Bar and want more space without moving, a side return extension is one of the most practical ways to get it. We handle the drawings, approvals and the build.
- Guide price in Potters BarFrom £19,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development; party wall notice usual
- Build time10–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsEN6

Guide prices for Potters Bar
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Potters Bar we use our East of England factor (×1.06). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Potters Bar: £2,230 to £4,030 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m × 4.5 m 8 m² | £19,000 – £23,000 | £20,000 – £25,500 | £25,000 – £32,500 |
| 2 m × 5.5 m 11 m² | £24,000 – £29,500 | £27,500 – £35,000 | £34,500 – £44,500 |
| 2.2 m × 7 m 15 m² | £33,000 – £40,000 | £38,000 – £48,000 | £47,500 – £60,500 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Who a side return extension suits
- Homes where the garden is too small to lose much depth
- Narrow galley kitchens
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces with a rear outrigger
Do I need planning permission in Potters Bar?
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.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
Extensions in and around Potters Bar
We cover Potters Bar and the postcode districts EN6. The same team covers Borehamwood (5 miles), Hatfield (5 miles), Cheshunt (6 miles), Welwyn Garden City (8 miles), all within easy reach.
For homes towards Greater London, Barnet is around 3 miles away. The East of England mixes market-town terraces, inter-war semis and modern estates. Clay soils are common in parts of the region, which can affect foundation design.
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
We visit your Potters Bar home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
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
We build it with one project manager, book the building control inspections and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions people ask about side return extensions
How long does a side return extension take to build in Potters Bar?
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 Potters Bar?
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.
Do you cover all of Potters Bar?
Yes. We cover Potters Bar and the surrounding parts of Hertfordshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Do side return extensions need planning permission?
In England many single-storey side returns fit within permitted development if they stay within the height limits and are no wider than half the width of the original house. Conservation areas, listed buildings and flats need an application. Other UK nations have their own rules, which we check.
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 Potters Bar
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.