Kitchen Extensions in London
We build rear extensions, side returns, and wraparounds that turn cramped London kitchens into the open-plan spaces families actually want to live in. One team handles everything from planning applications to the final coat of paint.
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Why London Kitchens Need Extending
London houses weren’t built for how families live now. The kitchen was a working room at the back, not the centre of the home.
Most London kitchens share the same problem. Victorian terraces have a small galley at the rear. Edwardian semis have a slightly larger one, but still separate from where you actually want to spend time. Even 1930s houses were designed when kitchens were for cooking, not living.
The result is that families end up squeezed into a corridor-shaped room while the dining room sits empty most of the week. Kids do homework in bedrooms because there’s nowhere to spread out downstairs. Hosting anything more than a couple of friends feels impossible.
A kitchen extension fixes this. Not by adding a token bit of space, but by fundamentally changing how your ground floor works. Knock through to the dining room, extend out into the garden, and you get a single room that handles cooking, eating, working, playing, and living. The space families actually use.
We’ve been building kitchen extensions across London for over a decade. From side returns on Victorian terraces in Dulwich to large rear extensions on Edwardian houses in Lewisham, we know what works in London properties and what creates problems. We also know the planning rules, the building regulations, and how to deal with party wall agreements without it turning into a neighbour dispute.
Both need sorting, just in different ways.
We’ve renovated bathrooms across Putney for years. The period houses climbing up towards Putney Heath where every bathroom has a story. The mansion blocks along Upper Richmond Road that have seen better decades. The riverside developments near the bridge where the bathrooms looked great on the showroom CGI but started falling apart within five years.
Each property type has its quirks. Victorian plumbing that’s been extended and patched for a century. New-build bathrooms where saving money meant skimping on waterproofing. Mansion blocks with managing agents who have opinions about everything. We know what to expect and how to deal with it.
Types of Kitchen Extension
Different houses need different approaches. Here’s what we build.
Single-Storey Rear Extensions
The most common type. Extend straight out from the back of the house, typically 3–6 metres into the garden. Creates a larger kitchen or a kitchen-diner that opens onto the garden through bi-fold or sliding doors. Most can be built under Permitted Development without a full planning application.
Side Return Extensions
That narrow passage down the side of a Victorian or Edwardian terrace? It’s usually wasted space. A side return extension fills it in, making the kitchen significantly wider. Often combined with a small rear extension. Perfect for properties where garden depth is limited.
Wraparound Extensions
Combines a rear extension and side return into one L-shaped or U-shaped design. Creates the largest possible kitchen space. Works well on corner plots or end-of-terrace properties. Usually requires planning permission but delivers the most dramatic transformation.
Wet Room Conversions
Sometimes you don’t need to extend at all. Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room, installing a structural steel beam, and reconfiguring the layout can create open-plan living without the cost of an extension. Often a sensible first step before deciding if you need more.
10-15%
Added to property value (RICS)
89%
Planning approval rate (DLUHC)
10-14
Weeks typical build time
78%
Of homeowners prefer extending to moving
"We'd been putting off extending for years because the whole process seemed overwhelming. Joel and his team made it straightforward. They handled the structural calculations, the party wall agreement with our neighbours, all the Building Control inspections. The kitchen is exactly what we wanted and the build came in on budget. I keep thinking we should have done it years ago."
Kitchen Extension Costs in London
Honest pricing so you know what to budget before we visit.
| Project Type | Typical Size | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Side return extension |
10-15m2 |
£35,000 – £55,000 |
|
Single-storey rear extension |
15-25m2 |
£55,000 – £85,000 |
|
Wraparound extension |
25-40m2 |
£80,000 – £120,000 |
|
Kitchen-diner conversion (no extension) |
Existing space |
£12,000 – £25,000 |
|
Two-storey rear extension |
30-50m2 (total) |
£95,000-£150,000 |
How It Works
From first conversation to moving into your new kitchen, here’s the process.
Common Questions
Kitchen extensions in London typically cost £50,000 to £120,000 depending on size and specification. A standard 20m² single-storey rear extension runs £55,000–£75,000, while larger wraparound projects with high-end finishes can exceed £100,000. London prices are roughly 10–20% higher than the national average due to labour costs and site access challenges. We provide itemised quotes after surveying your property so there are no surprises.
Many single-storey rear extensions fall under Permitted Development and don’t require planning permission. You can typically extend up to 3m from the original rear wall (4m for detached properties) without a full application. However, conservation areas, listed buildings, Article 4 areas, and flats have different rules. Some extensions also require a Lawful Development Certificate, which we can arrange. We assess your specific situation during the consultation and handle all necessary applications.
If your extension is built up to or on the boundary with a neighbour, you’ll need a Party Wall Agreement under the Party Wall Act 1996. You serve notice on your neighbours at least two months before starting work. Most neighbours consent quickly and the process is straightforward. If they don’t respond or dissent, both parties appoint surveyors to agree terms. We handle the notices and can recommend surveyors. Factor in 4–8 weeks and £700–£1,500 per neighbour if surveyors are needed.
Most kitchen extensions take 10–14 weeks from breaking ground to completion. Smaller side returns might finish in 8 weeks, while complex wraparounds can take 16 weeks. Add 8–12 weeks beforehand for planning permission (if required), Building Regulations approval, and party wall agreements. We provide a detailed timeline at the quote stage and keep you updated throughout. Weather and unexpected site conditions can sometimes cause delays, but we build contingency into our schedules.
Yes, most families stay in the house throughout. There will be disruption, noise during working hours, and dust despite our best efforts. Your kitchen will be out of action for several weeks, so you’ll need a temporary cooking setup somewhere else in the house. We try to maintain access to a working toilet throughout. For larger projects that affect more of the house, some clients prefer to move out temporarily, but it’s not essential.
We’re NICEIC approved for all electrical work, which means our electrical installations are independently inspected and certified. We’re FENSA registered for window and door installations, so your new bi-fold doors are automatically notified to Building Control. We hold CHAS accreditation for health and safety and carry £1 million public liability insurance. Every extension receives a Building Control completion certificate, plus electrical and glazing certificates where applicable.
Areas We Cover
We build kitchen extensions across London and the South East. Based in Anerley, we’re well placed to serve these areas:
Bromley
Croydon
Lewisham
Greenwich
Dulwich
Crystal Palace
Forest Hill
Sydenham
Penge
Beckenham
Eltham
Bromley
Blackheath
Clapham
Battersea
Balham
Building Extensions in London
London houses have their own quirks. Victorian terraces are everywhere south of the river, with their narrow plots, shallow foundations, and that unused side passage begging to become a side return. Edwardian semis often have bay windows and original features that need respecting. 1930s houses have better proportions but smaller gardens than you might expect.
Then there’s the planning context. Some boroughs are stricter than others. Lewisham and Greenwich tend to be relatively straightforward for rear extensions. Bromley has more conservation areas to navigate. Southwark can be unpredictable. We’ve worked with planning departments across South London and know what gets approved and what gets refused.
Access is often the biggest practical challenge. Terraced houses with no side access mean materials come through the house or over the roof. Parking restrictions affect delivery times. Neighbours are close, so party wall agreements matter. Skip permits take longer than you’d think.
We’ve built extensions across South East London for over a decade. We know which building suppliers deliver reliably, which skip companies turn up on time, and which Building Control inspectors will be visiting your site. It makes the whole process smoother than working with someone who doesn’t know the area.
Ready to Discuss Your Extension?
Get a free consultation with no obligation. We’ll visit your property, discuss the options, and give you an honest assessment of what’s possible.