As your family grows or your needs change, your house might start to feel a little cramped. House extensions are a fantastic way to add valuable living space without the upheaval of moving entirely. On this page, our domestic builders at Clarus Construction explore four popular extension options: side-return, rear-facing, wraparound, and double-storey extensions, helping you decide which might be the perfect fit for your home.
Our new build contractors are space-creating experts, with our domestic construction work extending to project management, planning permission applications, house renovations, knock-throughs, garage and loft conversions, and professional building services for homeowners in Abingdon, Didcot, and the surrounding Oxfordshire areas.
These utilise the often-unused space along the side of your property, typically a narrow alleyway in terraced or semi-detached houses. They require less building work than larger extensions and are ideal for creating a light, airy kitchen and dining space.
Due to the space available, side-return extensions are generally smaller but will fall under permitted development rules, which is a bonus.
A rear-facing extension extends your house directly outwards, increasing the footprint at the back. Combined with our other building services, they offer the potential to significantly increase your living area and create various rooms, such as a family room, additional bedroom, or even a home office.
Bifold doors can help create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. However, these house renovations will take up some garden space, so our new build contractors suggest you factor this into your plans.
A wraparound extension combines a side-return and a rear house extension, offering our domestic builders’ Abingdon clients a significant additional living area. The interior allows for open-plan living experimentation whilst creating that union between the indoor and outdoor environments.
As a more complex project, wraparounds require careful planning and coordination to ensure smooth domestic construction – which is why we offer full project management. As you would expect, wraparound extensions are generally more expensive.
A double-storey extension adds an extra floor to your existing footprint, maximising interior space and allowing for a wealth of interior design options. They are perfect for larger families looking for additional bedrooms and better communal zones throughout the house.
For garden lovers, these extensions have no further impact on your outdoor area than what has already been considered for a single-storey extension.
Several factors must be considered, and our new build contractors are happy to discuss these with you. For example, rear and wraparound house extensions often require planning permission – which we’re happy to apply for on your behalf – and considerable budgeting and scheduling. Double-storey house renovations require a thorough structural survey to ensure your existing foundations can accommodate the additional weight.
The best extension type depends on your needs, budget, and property constraints. Clarus Construction’s domestic builders offer a full project management service, taking the stress away from our Abingdon clients and overseeing the following building services from start to finish:
