| How to build a side return extension | | | | You'll still have to comply with Building Regulations and |
| Turn wasted outdoor space into a flexible living area | | | | possibly with the Party Wall Act if you're creating a |
| For many homeowners, the side-return area - the | | | | new boundary wall between you and your neighbour, |
| pathway that runs alongside the ground floor area of | | | | so speak to your local council's planning office for |
| the house - is a redundant space. But by building on to | | | | details. |
| it, you can make your home bigger and better. | | | | How much will it cost and how long will it take |
| We're here to answer those all-important questions. | | | | A simple side extension will cost from £20,000. |
| What structural Work is involved | | | | Extra internal work, such as adding a new kitchen, and |
| 1) A new wall is built on either the boundary of you and | | | | the style of the extension - for example adding glazed |
| your neighbour's land, or solely on your side of the | | | | external doors - will affect the final figure. |
| boundary. | | | | Plan for at least eight to ten weeks for the structural |
| 2) A roof is added (consider a fully glazed design or | | | | work, plus more for decorating the interior of the new |
| one with several skylights to flood the interior with light). | | | | space. |
| 3) The side wall to the existing rear room is either | | | | How do I use the space |
| completely or partially knocked through. A steel frame | | | | Don't need a bigger kitchen? Why not consider these |
| may need to be inserted in the wall to support this | | | | other options? |
| new opening. | | | | Flexible living room |
| 4) A new floor is usually put in, level with the existing | | | | Keeping the new space flexible means it will appeal to |
| floor | | | | a wider cross section of buyers when it's time to sell, |
| Will I need an architect? | | | | so add a sofa and create a haven for chilling out. |
| Not necessarily. Some conservatory companies and | | | | Children's playroom |
| specialist builders offer a complete 'design and build' | | | | Free your main living space of the kids' toys and gear |
| package service, which saves paying extra fees to | | | | by making the extension a place for the children to |
| architects or structural engineers for drawing up plans. | | | | play, watch TV and do their homework. |
| Do I need planning permission? | | | | Laundry room |
| Council rules changed in October 2008, so you no | | | | With a side extension usually next to the kitchen, a |
| longer need planning permission for a ground floor | | | | laundry room is a great option as it means you can |
| side-extension as long as the extension is only single | | | | move the appliances out of the kitchen - creating more |
| storey, no more than 4m high and no wider than half | | | | space in there. |
| the width of the original house. | | | | |