If you’re thinking of increasing the living space in your home and you wish to utilise space on the side, it’s worth considering a side return extension.
Benefit from expert advice and a no obligation architects desktop review of your property
At Brophy Riaz & Partners, our award-winning team of chartered architects specialise in designing exceptional side extensions that transform the way you live, providing additional living space and enhancing the flow and functionality of your home, across properties in Birmingham & the West Midlands.
Prices start from £995.00 + VAT to £2000.00 + VAT (Assumed single storey). Schedule a consultation with us, where we will assess your property, offer expert design insights, identify the most effective approach, and outline any required applications, along with a detailed fee proposal for our services.
Our focus lies in innovative design, practical solutions, and timeless aesthetics. We are dedicated to creating house extensions tailored to your unique needs. With countless possibilities and a range of styles to explore, the choice is entirely yours.
Single storey side extensions, like a many extensions, fall under permitted development (The GDPO).
This means you won’t need to apply for a full planning application, if you meet the stipulated criteria. In this case, you’ll need your project to be signed off by your local authority as proof that it was legal at the time of construction, In these cases we may recommend that you apply for a Certificate of Lawful Development.
Although these criteria are largely the same for all extensions, some exist that apply purely to side extensions due to their structure and position. Permitted development criteria exclusive to side extensions include:
Please note that there are cases where permitted development rights are limited or even withdrawn, and you may still need to apply for full planning permission. These cases may include flats, maisonettes, listed houses, and homes located in conservation areas or areas of outstanding natural beauty.
The process of taking your home extension from inception to realisation can be a daunting for many house holders particularly if you have not appointed the right architects/consultants to support you. Brophy Riaz & Partners are here to help. We’ve got you covered from planning to building regulations and even introducing you to suitable contractors in your area or even tender action and contractor appointment.
Alternatively, a two storey extension will require a planning permission and a building regulations application to the side of your home
Transform your home with a bespoke side extension designed to enhance your living space and maximise its potential.
Before building your side extension, you must apply for building regulations approval either from your local authority service or through an approved inspector — we would be happy to recommend approved inspectors we have worked with before and would recommend.
These building regulations ensure that your extension doesn’t pose any hazards to its inhabitants or the environment and covers functions to include the following:
Plus, much more!
To learn more about building regulations and ensure that your project is compliant, we recommend that you speak to one of our team on 0121 507 1616
At Brophy Riaz & Partners, we advise you of your duties under the CDM Regulations 2015 & Building Safety Act, to ensure you are aware of your duties and how best to manage your risk, should you be minded to appoint us to undertake this element of work.
Please get in touch with us to discuss your enquiry.
A Chartered Architect focuses on creating designs that are both functional and visually appealing, carefully considering your needs and delivering a solution that meets your expectations. They ensure that your plans comply with building regulations and statutory requirements, offering guidance on potential challenges, such as shared public sewers, to help avoid costly delays. With an architect, you gain expert support in navigating the approval process, managing contractors if necessary, and designing a space that is perfectly suited to your requirements, ultimately saving both time and money in the long term. To help you, read our guide on how to choose the right architect for your home project.
Our award-winning architects will discuss your aims, objectives, goals, budget, and preferences. We will carry out a no obligation architects review of your property, where will examine your property from the building envelope, provide some design advice, discuss the feasibility of your/our proposal, determine the best course of action and which applications may be necessary together with a fee quotation for our services. We include a free of charge desktop study.
If you decide to proceed with our quotation provided, we will issue you with a fee acceptance form for your review and completion. On receipt of your fee acceptance form, we will commence work.
Once appointed, we will visit your property to assess the space, existing structures and carry out a detailed measured survey.
We create the initial drawings, explore design options and then refine the plan after collaboration with you, ensuring that you are happy with everything. This is carried out at a meeting with one of our team at a constraints and opportunities meeting, which supports the client in making key decisions about their home and proposed extensions and alterations.
We will assist with determining whether your project falls under permitted development or requires planning permission. We will then prepare and submit the details of your application to the local planning authority for approval. Typically the approval of this process takes 8 weeks in addition to the 4 weeks of design time required by our team. If it is unclear whether your property benefits from permitted development rights, we will advise the submission of a Certificate of Lawful Development application, we would be able to provide you with a steer at the initial consultation if this is required.
During the technical design phase, we develop more detailed drawings with details of structural and specifications. We may coordinate with specialists, such as structural engineers or carry out simple structural calculations in-house, simplifying the process and possibly saving time and costs to the client, to ensure all aspects are accounted for. These technical plans are then submitted for Building Control or an approved inspector for plan checking and approval to confirm compliance with legal standards prior to commencing work on site.
At this point, if needed and Brophy Riaz & Partners are appointed to do so, tender documents to facilitate competitive bidding and help you select a contractor based on their expertise, reputation, and tender returns.
We certify contractor interim payments, this is often following a monthly valuation, of works completed on site, or could be stage payments agreed between client and contractor, to certify that the milestone has been reached and the agreed stage payment due.
Upon completion, a final inspection is conducted to ensure all work meets the required standards and tender information. Once approved, completion certificates are obtained from building control, and you can enjoy moving into your newly extended home.
Appointing an architect helps enhance your living space. Side extensions create bright, open areas filled with natural light, such as a modern kitchen, family room, or home office.
With the flexibility to be tailored to your needs, a side extension can increase your property’s value, improve circulation, and seamlessly integrate with your existing design. Additionally, they provide the chance to optimise underused areas, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, all while offering potential design freedom and functionality.
Start your side extension project today, where we will guide you through every step of the process.
Check your extension potentialNeed some inspiration for your house extension idea? Check out our previous house extension projects that we’ve previously worked on.
Single story kitchen, dining and living room extension to create the heart of the house, with alterations to the garden.
A Grade II Listed Building which involved a contemporary extension, top lit with a vaulted ceiling.
The project involved the extension which increased the building from a 3 bedroom dwelling to a 5 bedroom dwelling.
brp Architects RIBA registered architectural practice has been established for over 28 years. Through our designs, we strive to find the perfect balance between comfort, practicality, and high quality architectural design.
