Side return extensions in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
If you live in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde 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 priceFrom £17,500 inc VAT
- PlanningScottish householder rules; building warrant needed
- Towns covered7
- Site visitFree, no obligation
Extensions in and around Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Towns we cover in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde include Paisley, Greenock, Newton Mearns, Renfrew, Barrhead, Johnstone, Erskine. Scotland's housing includes sandstone villas, terraces and tenements in the cities and plenty of post-war and modern houses and bungalows elsewhere. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
Who a side return extension suits
- Narrow galley kitchens
- Homes where the garden is too small to lose much depth
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces with a rear outrigger
Do I need planning permission in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
In Scotland, householder permitted development rules (Class 1A for single-storey ground-floor extensions and Class 1B for extensions of more than one storey) allow some smaller extensions without a planning application, within limits on depth, height and distance from the boundary. Conservation areas and listed buildings are more restricted.
The planning position for a specific Renfrewshire and Inverclyde address depends on its history and any designations, which is why we check it at the first visit.
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Where work affects a shared wall or a neighbour's land, we agree access, protection and making good with your neighbour in writing before work starts.
In Scotland a building warrant from the council is needed before work starts on almost any extension, and a completion certificate is issued when the work is accepted. Building standards are set in the Scottish technical handbooks.
Applications are decided by your council as planning authority.
Side return extension prices in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Renfrewshire and Inverclyde we use our Scotland factor (×0.98). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde: £2,060 to £3,720 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m × 4.5 m 8 m² | £17,500 – £21,000 | £18,500 – £24,000 | £23,500 – £30,000 |
| 2 m × 5.5 m 11 m² | £22,500 – £27,000 | £25,500 – £32,500 | £32,000 – £41,000 |
| 2.2 m × 7 m 15 m² | £30,500 – £37,000 | £35,000 – £44,500 | £44,000 – £56,000 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
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
We produce the drawings and structural design, and manage the approvals so they are in place before work starts.
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
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Side return extension questions answered
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
How long does a side return extension take to build in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
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 Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
Yes, across the whole of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
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.
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 Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
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.