Rear and side return extensions in North London
Rear and side return extensions add bright, open-plan space to the back of your home, turning a cramped kitchen or dark galley into a wide, light-filled family room. As a guide for North London in 2026, prices are around £55,000-£95,000. Kev Construct designs and builds them across Edgware, North London, Barnet, Enfield and Watford, rated 9.67/10 across 50+ verified Checkatrade reviews - and every quote is fixed and fully itemised, with no hidden fees.
Recent rear & side-return extensions
Open up the back of your home
Many North London homes, especially Victorian and Edwardian terraces, have an unused side alley and a small, dark kitchen at the back. A rear or side return extension fills in that wasted space and reworks the ground floor into the open, sociable layout modern families want. Kev Construct Ltd has built many of these, and we will make the whole process clear and calm.
Rear, side return or wrap-around?
The two are closely related, and many projects combine both. Understanding the difference helps you picture what will work best for your home and garden. We will help you choose the approach that makes the most of your home, your garden and your light.
Rear extension
Extends the back of the house out towards the garden, adding depth to the ground floor for a bigger kitchen or family room.
Side return
Fills in the narrow side alley that runs alongside the back of many terraced homes, adding width and letting light flood in.
Wrap-around
Combines both, extending to the rear and filling the side return to create a large, L-shaped open-plan space.
What can a rear or side return extension give you?
By opening up the back of the house, these extensions transform how the ground floor feels and functions. They are one of the most rewarding ways to improve a period home.
- A wide, open-plan kitchen diner that becomes the heart of the home.
- Far more natural light, thanks to roof lanterns, skylights and large glazed doors.
- A better connection to the garden through bifold or sliding doors.
- A more usable ground floor that suits how families actually live today.
A simple, predictable process.
You always know what happens next, who's on site, and exactly what it costs.
Free home visit
We come to you, look at your kitchen, side alley and garden, and talk through what you want the space to do.
Fixed quotation
Marian prepares a clear, itemised quote in writing with no hidden fees.
Design & planning
We prepare drawings and structural calcs, and handle any planning or building-regs approval.
The build
John, Dan and Niko carry out the work, keep the site tidy and stick to the schedule.
Completion
We hand over your finished room with its certification and workmanship guarantee.
How much does a rear or side return extension cost?
As a guide for North London in 2026, a rear or side return extension costs around £55,000-£95,000. Side returns can carry a little extra cost because of the structural work involved in opening up the side wall, but the light and space they add are well worth it. We give you a fixed, itemised written price after a free visit.
Guide ranges for North London, 2026 - not fixed quotes. Your final figure depends on size, glazing, finishes and structural work such as steel beams. For a full breakdown of what drives the price, see our house extension cost page. We put the final figure in writing before any work begins.
How long does it take, and do I need permission?
A rear or side return extension typically takes around 8-12 weeks on site once work starts, weather and materials permitting. Many single storey rear extensions fall under permitted development, though side returns and homes in conservation areas often need planning permission. We will tell you honestly where your project stands.
Whatever route applies, the work needs building regulations approval, and because these extensions sit right against boundaries, the Party Wall Act usually applies too. We handle the guidance and work with building control and your neighbours' surveyors. John keeps the site tidy and safe, and you can usually stay at home while we build. See our planning permission guide.
What our customers say.
“John and the whole crew were a pleasure to work with. Fast, great communication, finished on time and to a high quality.”
“Dan and Niko put real care into the work; Marian set everything out clearly with no hidden fees. They went above and beyond.”
“We're an architecture practice and have worked with Kev Construct for years. Reliable, trustworthy, excellent finishes.”
Good to know.
Is a side return extension worth the extra cost?
For most period terraces, yes. That narrow side alley is usually wasted space, and filling it in adds real width to your kitchen and lets daylight pour in through a glazed roof. The result is a room that feels far larger and brighter than the numbers alone suggest. We will show you the options and price them clearly so you can decide.
Will a rear extension take up my whole garden?
No. A good design balances new indoor space against keeping a usable garden. Many rear extensions project only a few metres, leaving plenty of outdoor space, and large glazed doors make the garden feel part of the room. We will talk through the right depth for your home so you gain space inside without losing the garden you enjoy.
Can you combine a rear and side return into a wrap-around?
Yes. A wrap-around extension fills the side return and extends to the rear at the same time, creating a large, L-shaped open-plan space. It is a superb way to transform the ground floor of a terraced home. It usually needs planning permission and careful structural design, and we will guide you through both from the start.
How much disruption should we expect?
There will be noise and dust while we build, but we keep it to a minimum. The new structure goes up before we break through into the existing house, so your kitchen stays usable for as long as possible. There will be a spell without a working kitchen near the end, which we plan around with you. John keeps the site clean and safe throughout.
Do these extensions let in enough light?
Yes, and light is often the biggest improvement people notice. Roof lanterns, skylights and large glazed doors turn a dark, poky back room into a bright, welcoming space. Because side returns open up a wall that used to be blocked by the alley, they are especially good at bringing daylight deep into the middle of the house. We will design the glazing to suit your home.
Ready to add the space
your family needs?
Tell us about your extension and we'll arrange a free home visit. You'll get a clear, fixed price in writing - with no pressure and no hidden fees.
- Free home visit & survey
- Fixed price in writing - no surprises
- Local Edgware team · rated 9.67/10 on Checkatrade
Prefer to talk? 07838 662 225