House renovations and refurbishment in London
Whole-house refurbishments, structural alterations and period restoration, managed by one contractor on one programme.
Renovations
From a single knock-through to the whole house.
London houses are mostly old houses. Behind the plaster there is often tired wiring, lead or galvanised pipework, damp, and structural changes made by previous owners. A renovation is the chance to put all of that right at once.
We take on the full scope: structural alterations, basements, re-wiring and re-plumbing, new floors and staircases, plastering and decoration. One team sequences the trades, so the job keeps moving.
What a renovation can include
Full house refurbishment
Strip back, renew the services, re-plaster and refit every room, in one programme.
Structural alterations
Removing walls, forming new openings with steel beams, new staircases and concrete work.
Basements
Structural shells, drainage and waterproofing for new or existing basements.
Period restoration
Matched brickwork, timber frames, stonework and mouldings repaired in keeping with the original house.
The process
How a renovation runs.
Survey and written quote
We go through the house room by room, agree the scope with you, and send an itemised written estimate.
Approvals and planning the work
Structural calculations, building control and any party wall notices are dealt with, and the trades are sequenced.
Strip-out and structure
The house is opened up, structural work is completed and inspected, and new wiring and pipework are run.
Finishes and handover
Plastering, joinery, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and decoration, then a walk-round to pick up any snags.
Our work
Recent jobs like this.
Common questions
Renovations: what people ask us.
Can we live in the house during a renovation?
For a room-by-room refurbishment, usually yes. We seal off the working area and keep a kitchen and bathroom in use wherever we can. For a full strip-out with re-wiring and re-plumbing, moving out is normally quicker and safer.
Do I need approval to remove an internal wall?
If the wall is load-bearing, yes. A structural engineer has to design the beam and building control has to approve and inspect the work. Removing a non-load-bearing partition does not usually need approval, but it has to be checked first.
What about listed buildings and conservation areas?
Work to a listed building needs listed building consent, inside as well as outside. In a conservation area, external changes such as windows, roofs and brickwork are more tightly controlled. We will tell you what we think applies to your house.
What happens if you find something unexpected?
It is common in older houses. If we open up a wall or floor and find a problem, we show you, explain the options, and agree any change in price before doing the work.
Other services
What else we do.
Planning this kind of work?
Tell us about the job and we'll come out, measure up and send a free written quote, with no obligation.