Types of House Extension
Here at Simply Extend, we are specialists at building various types of homes extensions all over London and the Greater London area. Before embarking on your building project, it is useful to have a think about what types of house extension would fit into your space and your specific living requirements. If you have a budget in mind, please have a read through our extension costs page or book yourself in for a free no obligation site survey by calling 0800 917 7571 or completing our online enquiry form. Our surveyors are also trained at being able to talk through what options are available for your property so you know what types of extension are suitable.
Here’s just a small selection of the types of extensions you could opt for, including a side return extension, wrap around extension, rear and side extension, kitchen extensions and many more.
You can now download this information in a handy pdf guide
Side Return Extension
What is a side return extension? A side return extension stretches your home into the alleyway at the side of your house and is very typical on Victorian or other types of period properties. Side return extensions are often a relatively small extension, but it can have a great impact on the look and feel of your home. Sometimes clients combine a side return extension with a rear extension to create what is called a wrap-around extension. Either way, a side return extension is fantastic for housing a larger kitchen and dining area. View Side Return Extension Ideas.
Side Return Extension, Exterior View
Interior via of a Side Return Extension
How much is a side return extension?
A side return extension may cost around £44,000 in London. However, depending on the size of the side return extension, it could cost more. Get A Free Quote Now.
Cost effective as well as impactful, a side return extension can be a great way to add some living space to your home if you don’t have a big garden or if a rear extension is not possible. The side alley on most houses is typically dead space that is little used. This type of extension can be utilised on any property that has a side alley, including ground floor flats as well as new builds and investment properties.
Over the years, we have used some innovative techniques to create some amazing spaces such as utilising skylights, lightwells and floor to ceiling windows and bi-folding doors to bring natural light into a room. We have also created a secret courtyard for one client, which is accessed through the side return extension.
Side Return Extension
How long does a side return extension take to build?
The construction time for a side return extension could be around three to four months, but many times we have turned them around faster. For large side return extensions construction could take more than six months.
Side return extensions / side extensions are enjoying a huge growth in popularity amongst London families, due to their cost-effectiveness and the smaller scale nature of the job. They allow people to maximise their home’s space and value by simply using the space in the alleyway area at the side of their property.
Side Return Extension
Grow your home, keep your garden
Many families looking to create a London home extension are often hampered by the fact that their garden space is at a premium and they do not wish to reduce it. A side return extension, however, uses what is often dead space to the side of a property, opening up corridors, under-stairs space or other so-called ‘dead’ areas of the home so as to create one open space. While your home’s side alley may seem small, it can make a big difference to your interior dimensions.
Get the kitchen of your dreams
This makes side return extensions brilliant for creating contemporary open plan kitchen diners, perfect for entertaining and making more living space for a growing family – much more cost effective than moving house in London. It also offers an opportunity to redesign your kitchen (something Simply Extend and their partners can help with). You could opt for a luxury kitchen with a dining and living area that’s perfect for cooking while the kids play – and it’ll add value to your home too.
Side extensions run along the length of the existing room, meaning you can flood the space with light from above using skylights. This means you’ll have a space filled with natural sunlight, making it bright and airy, particularly if you combine it with bi-folding doors or sliding doors that open out on to your patio or garden.
What does a Side Return Extension Cost
Because a side return extension is smaller than other types of home extension, it means that it’s also a much smaller job meaning a smaller side return extension cost – while obviously allowing for variations in individual projects. A side return extension is a great option for London families who are pressed for time and don’t want building work to run on over a long period.
This smaller scale also means that a side return extension is cheaper than other forms of home extension, making it a vastly preferable option to moving house in terms of side return extension cost.
Simply Extend are experts in building side extensions in London so contact us today to discuss your project and arrange a free site survey.
Side Return Extension Ideas
See below for a small handful of side return extension ideas. These are side return extension ideas built from our case studies of work we have carried out.
Side Return Extension Interior Ideas
Side Return Extension Exterior Ideas
Side Return Extension Interior Ideas
Side Return Extension Exterior Ideas
Learn more about Side Return Extensions
Wrap-around Extension
Wrap Around Extension Interior
Wrap Around Extension Interior
This is a side return extension combined with a rear extension. The wrap around extension can provide maximum space and dramatically alter the feeling and shape of your home. If you want to achieve an open plan kitchen, dining area/family room in your home, then a wrap-around extension is the best option for you. Started by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, open plan living has become ever more popular in the UK. This type of space works well for growing families – especially when the children are small.
One of the benefits of the wrap-around extension is the ability to create a stronger connection to the garden. Many of our clients have opted to design indoor-outdoor spaces that bring the outside in. This is achieved by the use of a bi-folding floor to ceiling door, as well as skylights and lightwells which let in plenty of natural light. Another way to achieve flow between your house and garden is to build a deck or patio that is on the same level as your home.
How much does a wrap around extension cost?
A wrap around extension may cost around £65,000 in London. However, depending on the size of the side return extension it will cost more. Get A Free Quote Now.
Wrap around extensions are ideal if you really want to maximise the space available in your London home – perfect if you want a lot more space but don’t want the cost or stress of moving house. They incorporate both a rear extension and a side return extension to create an L-shaped space that wraps around your home, creating additional space on two sides.
Wrap Around Extension
Perfect for large families
If your family is growing and you need more living space, a wrap around extension can give you this by taking a bit of space from your garden and using the dead space in your property’s side alleyway. This helps to create new space while simultaneously making use of otherwise ‘wasted’ space such as corridors or under stairs. This can make a big difference to your home, giving you space for your expanding family as well as for entertaining and socialising.
Open up your kitchen with a wrap around kitchen extension
A wrap around kitchen extension is great if you dream of a large open plan kitchen with dining and living space where the kids can play or do their homework while you get on with cooking dinner. A wrap around kitchen extension could allow you to have space for a high-spec kitchen with an island or breakfast bar and built-in appliances, opening out on to a dining area which in turn leads to a living area with views across your garden from your bi-fold doors.
Since a wrap around kitchen extension creates a lot of new pace, you could even create further rooms in your kitchen area, such as a utility room, a downstairs WC or walk-in storage and really maximise your use of your home’s space.
Wrap Around Kitchen Extension
Light and bright
You’ll have a variety of glazing options to create light in your wrap around extension, from large bi-fold doors to skylights and sun tunnels, there are a lot of ways to flood your London home extension with natural light. In addition to this, you’ll be able to design your extension’s lighting with a choice of contemporary and traditional lighting styles including stylish spotlights and decorative light fittings.
Contact Simply Extend today to discuss your plans for your wrap around extension in London and arrange your free site survey.
Wrap Around Extension Ideas
Wrap Around Extension Exterior
Wrap Around Extension Interior Ideas
Wrap Around Extension Interior Ideas
Wrap Around Extension Interior Ideas
Wrap Around Extension Kitchen Ideas
Rear Extensions
As the name suggests, rear extensions extend out from the back of your property and are typically carried out on properties where there is no side return option or on detached properties. They extend the size of your house and can usually include a dining or living space in addition.
Rear Extension Exterior
A rear extension is a perfect option if you want to create that dream kitchen with an island, as well as achieve an open plan living space. Open plan rooms are not only great for families, but they are also ideal for those that love to entertain. Typically, open plan living spaces are ‘zoned’ into three areas – a kitchen, dining area and a seating area – so when you are entertaining, your friends and family can mingle, choosing which part of the room they want to spend time in.
How much does a rear extension cost?
A rear extension may cost around £55,000 in London. However, depending on the size of the rear kitchen extension it will cost more. Get A Free Quote Now.
Open plan kitchens do have a certain wow factor about them, and with a rear extension, you can impress your friends and family further with show-stopping design features that include the clever use of light through skylights, floor to ceiling windows that frame your garden and through external cladding.
For more information view our rear extensions page.
Double Storey Extensions
Two storey or double storey home extensions in London cost more than other varieties as the building work would need to be completed on two levels and there is double the space to work on. However, on the plus side, a huge amount of space is opened up, meaning that you could potentially add a bigger or additional living space as well as an extra bedroom.
Double storey extensions are a great way to maximise space.Not only can you achieve a fabulous kitchen-diner but you can also add an extra bedroom for you or the kids, create a luxurious family bathroom or use it as a home office or studio. Whatever you choose to do with the space, a double story extension will not only enhance your property but your home and family life too.
For more information view our double storey extensions page.
Double Storey Extensions Exterior
Flat Roof Extensions
Flat Roof Extension Flat roof extensions are a cost effective way to get the most out of your living space. Take a look at our flat roof extension page for more ideas around flat roof extensions.
Kitchen Extensions
Kitchen Extension
Kitchen extensions can be built using any of the above types of extensions such as a side return extension and wrap around extension. Kitchen extensions are the most common type of function that an extension is built for, but that does not mean you shouldn’t build an extension for any other reason. You can make a games room, living room, man cave, and much more.
If you live in the London area, we are ready and waiting to transform your home with one of our fantastic extensions. Call today on 0800 917 7571 for your free, no-obligation quote or send us an enquiry via our Free Site Survey form.
What is a Side Return Extension
A side return extension is slightly different from a standard side extension, it fills in the void between the main property and the L-section at the rear of the house.
Types of house extensions
Rear Extension, Side Return Extension, Wrap-Around Extension, Single-storey extensions, Double-storey extensions, Glass Extensions, Kitchen Extensions, Conservatories
What constitutes a side extension?
Any extension outside the main width of the property, extending from the side and not the rear of the home.
How much does a side extension cost?
A side extension is difficult to give an average price, as it depends on the size of the side extension, the number of structural openings and the glazing choices. Most extensions start at £45k (including VAT) currently.
Can you extend the side of your house?
Yes, you can extend the side of your house. You can have a side return extension, which uses the dead space down the side of your property, increasing the width of your home. For detached homes, you can extend the side of your home by up to 4m under lawful development.
Do you need planning permission for a side extension?
If you are looking to extend outside the main width of the main property, you will need planning permission from your local building authority. If you are filling in a side return extension, you may be able to do so under permitted development restrictions.
How much does a wrap around extension cost UK?
A wrap-around extension will cost approximately £65k (including VAT) upwards, to complete to a plastered finish. If you wish to have a kitchen or bathroom fitted, then this can add additional costs to your total extension cost. Your choice of glazing will also affect the overall price.
Is a wrap around extension more expensive?
Typically, yes, a wrap-around extension will be more expensive than a rear or side return extension, due to the amount of materials required for construction. A wrap-around is a combination of a rear and side extension, connected at the corner, so will naturally cost more than either of these.
Do you need planning permission for wrap around extension?
Yes, typically you will always need planning permission for a wrap-around extension, regardless of property type and size. Planning permission can take up to 8 weeks to receive from your local planning authority. There are no permitted development rights for wrap-around extensions.
What is a wrap around extension?
A wrap-around extension extends from the rear of your house into your back garden, whilst also extending into the dead space down the side of your property. The rear and side extension sections are joined in the corner, making it a wrap-around extension.
Does a side return extension add value?
Yes, but this will depend on the property type and location of your home. The easiest way to find out if an extension will add value is to speak to a local estate agent or look at the price of properties in your area which have extensions compared to your property.
Can I do a side and rear extension?
If you own the space to the side of your property and to the rear of your property, including a garden, you can have a side and rear extension. This type of extension can utilise the dead space down the side of residential properties and use it to add width to the home.
How much does a side return extension cost?
A side return extension can cost from £45k (including VAT), but this cost will depend on the size of the extension, the types of materials used and glazing options. You can get an accurate quote from a surveyor or construction team of your choice.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension?
A side return extension can add lots of space to your home, which is important in rooms like your kitchen if you are a growing family. A side return extension can add significant value to the cost of your home, although this is not guaranteed.
Is it worth doing a side return extension?
A side return extension is a great way of adding width to your home, especially in a kitchen area at the back of your property. It can add significant value to your home and give you more space inside your house. Also, it does not use any valuable garden space.
What is a side return extension?
A side return extension, otherwise known as a side extension, extends the width of your home. It utilises the dead space down the side of your property and does not add any length to your home from the rear of the house.
What is the extension on a house called?
There are three main types of extension; a side return extension, a rear extension and a wrap-around extension. A side return uses the dead space down the side of a property, whereas a rear extension extends into the rear garden space. A wrap-around extension does both.
