Blog
Renovation Advice and Guides for London Homes
Practical advice on planning, building and renovating homes in London: loft conversions, extensions, kitchens, bathrooms, electrics, plumbing and the planning rules that shape them.
-
How to Choose a Builder in London: Checks, Quotes and Red Flags
A practical checklist for choosing a builder in London: company checks, insurance, reviews, registrations, written quotes, payment stages, contracts and red flags.
-
Renovating a Victorian Terrace in South West London: Clapham, Fulham and Wimbledon
A guide to renovating Victorian terraces in South West London: how these houses are built, common problems, keeping original features and planning the order of works.
-
Consumer Unit (Fuse Box) Upgrades: Signs You Need One, Regulations and What to Expect
Signs your fuse box needs replacing, what a modern consumer unit includes, the regulations and certificates involved, and what to expect on the day.
-
Extending a 1930s Semi in Sutton, Wallington and Mitcham: Hip-to-Gable Lofts and Rear Extensions
A local guide to extending and converting 1930s semi-detached houses in Sutton, Wallington, Carshalton and Mitcham, from hip-to-gable loft conversions to rear extensions and kitchen knock-throughs.
-
Do You Need Planning Permission? Permitted Development Rules by London Borough
A practical guide to planning permission and permitted development for London homeowners, with the rules for extensions and loft conversions and a borough-by-borough overview.
-
Party Wall Agreements in London: A Homeowner’s Guide for Extensions and Loft Conversions
A plain-English guide to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 for London homeowners planning a loft conversion or extension: the three notices, timings, surveyors, awards and how to keep neighbours…
-
Upgrading Heating and Plumbing in an Older London Home: Boilers, Water Pressure and Pipework
How to upgrade heating and plumbing in an older London home: choosing between combi, system and heat pump systems, dealing with low pressure, hard water and old pipework.
-
Does Your London Home Need Rewiring? Warning Signs, EICR Checks and What to Expect
Warning signs that a London home needs rewiring, how an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) works, what the codes mean and what to expect from a full or partial rewire.
-
Bathroom Renovation in London: Wet Rooms, Waterproofing and Electrical Safety Zones
A practical guide to bathroom renovations in London homes: wet rooms or shower trays, waterproofing, electrical zones and IP ratings, extraction requirements and solving low water pressure.
-
Planning a Kitchen Renovation in a London Home: Layouts, Services and Order of Works
A step-by-step guide to planning a kitchen renovation in a London home: layouts for terraces and flats, services, ventilation rules and the order in which the work is done.
-
Side-Return, Rear or Wraparound Extension: Which Suits Your London Home?
Which house extension suits your London home? A comparison of side-return, rear, wraparound and two-storey extensions, with permitted development, prior approval and Party Wall rules.
-
Loft Conversion Types for London Homes: Dormer, L-Shaped, Hip-to-Gable or Mansard?
Which loft conversion suits your London home? A comparison of rear dormer, L-shaped, hip-to-gable, mansard and roof light conversions, with head height, planning and Building Regulations explained.
-
Full House Refurbishment in London: Stages, Permissions and Timeline
A practical guide to planning a full house or flat refurbishment in London: the stages of the work, planning and Building Regulations, Party Wall notices, certificates, timelines and budgeting.