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Victorian terraced houses offer homeowners an incredible space to set up a home and are prized for their unique design and architecture.

And with many of them featuring an often-unused side alley, they provide the perfect opportunity to expand and extend. This is particularly important for homeowners looking to create more space within their home without having to resort to moving houses.

This is what makes Victorian side return extensions the go-to option for creating more space and value to your home, as it combines elegant design with beautiful modern styles to maximise the potential of your home.

A Victorian side return extension utilises the area that runs along the side of your property and a portion of the rear. As a side alley is a common fixture in most Victorian terraced properties, this extension style is often synonymous with extensions done on Victorian homes, but do not differ much from regular side return extensions.

Victorian side returns are immensely popular as they do not use up too much of the valuable rear area and are much more budget-friendly compared to rear extensions or wraparound extensions.

This expansion to create more living space also allows you to add incredible value to your home.

Many side return extensions do not need planning permission provided they fall under permitted developments. This means that the extension must meet certain specific limitations regarding the size and height of the extension, the building materials used, and the location of your property.

This is because extensions done on homes that are located in conservation areas require planning permission even if they meet the size and height specifications.

For a full understanding on the criteria for permitted developments, you can refer the planning portal.

Fortunately, Good Design and Build oversees the entire process of applying for and securing planning permission. This includes surveying the location, submitting detailed diagrams of the proposed extension, coordinating with the local authority, and securing planning permission.

In addition to planning permission, Good Design and Build helps homeowners secure building regulations approval. This is a requisite for all extensions to ensure the build meets the planning guidelines and regulations.

Another important agreement to take into consideration is the party wall agreement. This is especially important if the proposed extension falls close to or on the boundary wall. Keeping neighbours informed and getting consent before initiating the extension can go a long way in saving you from hassle and further costs.

The simple answer is Yes.

Victorian side return extensions are complementary to almost all terraced or semi-detached homes that feature an area or alley to the side of your home, or a small rear space.

Not only are side return extensions one of the most cost-effective extension styles, they also use up minimal valuable garden space.

Most side returns do not require planning permission which makes them even more appealing. In addition to that, they are incredibly versatile and can be designed to create exceptional rooms that optimise the space and natural light.

Best of all, side return extensions not only add space to your home, but can also increase the value of your property by up to 10%!

If all of this sounds good to you, then a side return extension is absolutely right for you!

Victorian side returns can be the perfect solution to any space problems you face if they are created with careful planning while focusing on beauty and functionality.

One way of achieving this is by designing the side return to create a kitchen extension or even a larger dining area. Kitchen extensions enable you to convert small, dark kitchens into warm and inviting areas complete with the latest fittings that are more suited to modern homes and lifestyles.

Another way of optimising the space created by side returns is to design a two-storey extension. Though more complex than the traditional single-storey extension, multi-storey extensions essentially double the square footage of your extension while leaving the excavation and roofing costs unchanged.

Multi-storey extensions also offer incredible options to homeowners to create more rooms or even high-ceilinged dining areas.

Victorian side return extensions can also be utilised in the creation of larger living areas with the integration of open-floor plans.

Perhaps the best characteristic of a side return extension is the amount of natural light it can bring into a room. This can be achieved by designing indoor-outdoor connections complete with bi-folding doors, the installation of glazed roof lights, or floor-to-ceiling windows.

All of this allows you to design and build the perfect side return extension that creates larger, brighter living spaces within your home.

Victorian side return extensions can have many variables. As such, the cost of these extensions can range from a conservative £35,000 to a more elaborate £130,000.

Of course, the cost of side return extensions depends on a number of factors including:

  • The size of the extension
  • The complexity of the extension
  • Location
  • Groundwork
  • Building materials
  • Fittings and fixtures
  • Specialists’ fees

To get a better idea, Good Design and Build offer free, no-obligations consultations and quotations for proposed extensions.

In this way, you can design your extension around your budget and not the other way around.

Owning a Victorian terraced home is an incredible honour and any extension constructed must be carefully planned and designed so that it seamlessly integrates with the architecture of the original house.

This is where Good Design and Build come in.

We specialise in creating bespoke extensions in Victorian homes because we understand the value of combining modern features with traditional design. This helps us to design and build exceptional extensions that create more space in your home while keeping the integrity of the original structure intact.

Our team combines passion, expertise, and experience to provide you with full project management from planning to completion. This includes design work, contractual work, and daily on-site management of the build.

Our team comprises of surveyors, architects, builders, technicians, and project managers who ensure that every part of the design and build meets your specifications and exceeds your expectations.

We are the primary extension specialists because we create beautiful, elegant extensions that add space and value to your home.

Don't move. Extend in style

We can save you the hassle that comes with moving not to mention the heavy stamp duty! Adding an extra loft bedroom or enlarging the living kitchen dining space on ground floor is an economical way of transforming your home to suit growing needs. The projects can range from £40-100K depending on your requirements and can be completed within 8-16 weeks.

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How we deliver projects

Our process is simple and divided into two distinct phases with separate contracts: Design and Build. As a client you only commit to one phase at a time depending on what stage of the process you are in. Each phase consists of three stages as described below.

1. Design

This is the kick-off point for your project. We carry out a complete architectural measured survey of the property. This allows us to create accurate CAD design drawings. This is followed by a design meeting to start discussing your ideas in more detail.

2. Planning

At this stage we finalise the designs with you and start preparing planning applications as needed. We place a high priority on ensuring that plans, designs and schedules are all based on a thorough and detailed understanding of planning guidelines. We co-ordinate with local authorities until the decision is made, and the planning approval is secured.

3. Technical

Once the planning consent is secured, we translate the design drawings into more detailed technical drawings for the purposes of building control and construction. This also includes specifications and structural calculations. At this stage, we will also submit to you our ‘no obligation’ quote for the build phase.

4. Pre-build

90% of our clients decide to stick with us after the design phase is completed. Once the build contract is signed, we kick off the process by making sure all the pre-build processes are complete. These include assistance with party wall agreements, Thames Water build over agreement, submitting building control application, and preparing method statements etc as needed. This stage ends with a pre-start meeting with your foreman before the actual build begins.

5. Build

One of our foremen will be dedicated to your project and will be on-site to manage everyday works. Our project managers will be overseeing the works to make sure they are completed to high standards, within your budget and on time. Throughout the process we will keep you updated with the progress and coordinate the works with third parties such as kitchen or flooring suppliers. We will also advise and guide you to choose any suppliers if needed.

6. Handover

As the build draws to finish, we will help to iron out any ‘snags’ to make sure everything is completed to your satisfaction. We will put together all necessary certificates such as gas, electricity and building control completion along with warranties for glazing, boiler etc. At the final completion meeting, we will hand you these documents, together with the keys to your house. Needless to say, you can contact us any time after this, if you want us to look at something.

This is the kick-off point for your project. We carry out a complete architectural measured survey of the property. This allows us to create accurate CAD design drawings. This is followed by a design meeting to start discussing your ideas in more detail.

At this stage we finalise the designs with you and start preparing planning applications as needed. We place a high priority on ensuring that plans, designs and schedules are all based on a thorough and detailed understanding of planning guidelines. We co-ordinate with local authorities until the decision is made, and the planning approval is secured.

Once the planning consent is secured, we translate the design drawings into more detailed technical drawings for the purposes of building control and construction. This also includes specifications and structural calculations. At this stage, we will also submit to you our ‘no obligation’ quote for the build phase.

90% of our clients decide to stick with us after the design phase is completed. Once the build contract is signed, we kick off the process by making sure all the pre-build processes are complete. These include assistance with party wall agreements, Thames Water build over agreement, submitting building control application, and preparing method statements etc as needed. This stage ends with a pre-start meeting with your foreman before the actual build begins.

One of our foremen will be dedicated to your project and will be on-site to manage everyday works. Our project managers will be overseeing the works to make sure they are completed to high standards, within your budget and on time. Throughout the process we will keep you updated with the progress and coordinate the works with third parties such as kitchen or flooring suppliers. We will also advise and guide you to choose any suppliers if needed.

As the build draws to finish, we will help to iron out any ‘snags’ to make sure everything is completed to your satisfaction. We will put together all necessary certificates such as gas, electricity and building control completion along with warranties for glazing, boiler etc. At the final completion meeting, we will hand you these documents, together with the keys to your house. Needless to say, you can contact us any time after this, if you want us to look at something.

Featured Projects

Interior View - Sellons Ave Project

Harlesden

Sellons Ave NW10 4HJ

The project included creating a master bedroom in the loft with an adjoining terrace.

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Fulham

Orbain Road SW6 7JZ

This project was completed in 2023 and the approximate budget was £101,000.

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Kitchen Extension in East Sheen

Lambeth

Hetherington Road SW4

We completed this stunning project for our client Angus in Lambeth.

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Teddington

Station Road SW4 7PA

We completed this exciting project for our clients on Station Road, a quaint residential area in the heart of Teddington.

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Leyton

Windsor Road E10

We completed this kitchen extension on Windsor Road, a charming residential street nestled in the heart of Leyton.

Learn more

What Our Clients Say

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Build a Quote!

Let's get started with building your own bespoke quote for your dream extension. Tell us as much in detail as possible to get most accurate price.

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Build a Quote!

Let's get started with building your own bespoke quote for your dream extension. Tell us as much in detail as possible to get most accurate price.

Get Started