Swiss Cottage · NW3 · Heritage-Led Renovation

Victorian Renovation
in Swiss Cottage, NW3

Architects, Engineers, Surveyors & Builders Under One Roof.

Surveyor-led refurbishment advice via Hampstead Chartered Surveyors →

One Studio. One Contract. One Team.

We deliver Swiss Cottage victorian renovation with heritage-led design and construction specialists for Swiss Cottage NW3 - conservation detailing, planning strategy, structural input, material matching, specialist trades, Building Control and final handover through one accountable team.

4.9 rating · £10M insurance · RIBA architectural team · Swiss Cottage specialists
103+
Completed Projects
RIBA
In-House Chartered Architects
Structural
Engineering Calculations
Planning
Applications & Consents
Building
Control
Compliance Support
Leasehold
Licence for Alteration
£10M
Fully Insured
RICS
Chartered Surveyors

Victorian Renovation in Swiss Cottage: What You Need to Know

Every victorian renovation project in Swiss Cottage is designed to respect the Swiss Cottage Conservation Area and the character of Italianate Victorian villas, period conversions, mansion blocks. Our in-house RIBA architects handle Camden planning applications, our chartered structural engineers specify any load-bearing work, and our directly-employed trades deliver the build under one fixed-price contract. We coordinate Building Control, Party Wall awards where needed, and all certifications through to handover.

Refurbishment projects in Swiss Cottage may require planning permission for external changes. Internal renovations typically proceed under building regulations. We manage all approvals.

Well-connected north London area around the iconic Swiss Cottage pub. Mix of period properties and post-war developments with excellent transport links and the Hampstead Theatre.

Swiss Cottage Planning Considerations for Victorian Renovation

Camden · NW3

Planning Requirements in Swiss Cottage

Full Refurbishment projects in Swiss Cottage may require Camden planning permission depending on the scope of work. Our planning team assesses requirements at the initial consultation and manages all applications.

Camden Building Regulations

All full refurbishment work in Swiss Cottage must comply with building regulations. We manage the building control process, from initial notice through inspections to the completion certificate. Our in-house engineers ensure all structural work meets current standards.

Design Standards

Our RIBA architects design full refurbishment projects in Swiss Cottage that respect the character of victorian terraces, mansion blocks, post-war estates, converted period houses and modern apartments. We balance contemporary living requirements with the architectural heritage of the area.

Project Management

Every full refurbishment project in Swiss Cottage is managed by a dedicated project manager from design through to completion. We coordinate all trades, manage Camden inspections and keep you informed with weekly progress reports. Our fixed-price contracts mean no surprises.

Our in-house planning team handles applications across Camden. View our planning track record →

Frequently Asked Questions About Victorian Renovation in Swiss Cottage

Camden · NW3

Victorian Renovation in Swiss Cottage typically costs £650–£1,250/sqm. The final price depends on the scope, specification and complexity of the project. We provide a detailed fixed-price quotation after the initial consultation and design phase.

Whether planning permission is required in Swiss Cottage depends on the scope of work. Our team assesses planning requirements at the initial consultation and manages all necessary applications.

Victorian Renovation projects in Swiss Cottage typically take 12-20 weeks. Including design and any planning approvals, the total programme depends on project complexity. We provide a detailed timeline at the consultation stage.

We're specialists in victorian terraces, mansion blocks, post-war estates, converted period houses and modern apartments, with extensive experience in Swiss Cottage and across Camden. Our in-house team of RIBA architects, structural engineers and build crews delivers every project under one fixed-price contract — from design through to completion.

Whole-House Transformation

Refurbishment & Interiors

Strip it back, reimagine it, rebuild it beautifully. Our full refurbishment service takes a tired or dated London home and transforms every room — reconfiguring layouts, upgrading all services, installing new kitchens and bathrooms and delivering a cohesive interior design that unifies the entire property. One team, one contract, one vision.

RIBA ArchitectsLayout & interior design
Interior DesignersIn-house design studio
Fixed-PriceFrom £650/sqm
Full Refurbishment Includes
Every discipline under one fixed-price contract
Layout redesign & 3D rendersIncluded
Structural engineering-led alterationsIncluded
Full rewire & replumbIncluded
Kitchen & bathroomsIncluded
Flooring, joinery & decorationIncluded
Interior design & specificationIncluded
Typical project time12–24 weeks
Last updated: March 2026
Design Studio: 250 Finchley Road, NW3
Open Mon–Fri 9am – 6pm
Material library & finish samples on display
15+ Years Experience
RIBA Chartered Architects
RICS Surveying Oversight
£10M Insurance Cover
Fixed-Price Contracts
103+
Completed Projects
RIBA
In-House Chartered Architects
Structural
Engineering Calculations
Planning
Applications & Consents
Building
Control
Compliance Support
Leasehold
Licence for Alteration
10M
Fully Insured
RICS
Chartered Surveyors

Whole-House Renovation for London's Period Homes

A whole-house Victorian renovation in Swiss Cottage begins with the fabric rather than the finishes. The very large Victorian houses this part of NW3 is known for — the Italianate and gabled villas on Eton Avenue, Buckland Crescent and Adamson Road — were built in solid brick with no cavity, bedded in lime mortar and finished internally in lime plaster on riven lath. That construction is designed to take on moisture and give it up again. Treat it as though it were a modern cavity wall and it fails: cement pointing traps water behind the brick face, gypsum skim on a cold flank wall blows within a season or two, and impermeable masonry paint over stucco holds moisture in the render until it hollows and comes away.

The survey work that matters at the start is therefore fabric survey work. Lifting a length of skirting to look at joist ends where they bear into the external wall; taking up a board to see whether the subfloor void still has a clear run of air from front to back; checking whether airbricks have been rendered over or buried by a raised path; reading the roof for slipped slates, tired valley gutters and open parapet flashings; and working out which internal walls are original and which are later partitions left over from the flat conversions much of the local stock has been through.

The programme that follows is simple in principle: make the house watertight, let it breathe, make the structure sound, then rebuild the interior around whatever has survived. Cornices, ceiling roses, panelled doors, deep skirtings, encaustic hall tiling and original box sashes are scheduled as items to retain and repair, not as obstacles to clear before fit-out begins.

A full refurbishment goes far deeper than new paint and replacement kitchens. It addresses everything behind the walls — rewiring electrical systems that haven't been updated since the 1960s, replacing lead plumbing with copper and plastic, insulating solid walls that leak heat through every brick, and reconfiguring floor plans designed for a Victorian household with live-in servants, not a contemporary family.

Our approach starts with the layout. Before selecting a single tile or paint colour, our architects redesign the floor plan — opening up cramped ground floors, relocating bathrooms, creating en-suites, adding utility rooms, improving circulation and sight-lines, and ensuring every square metre works harder.

Once the layout is resolved, our interior designers develop a cohesive design language that runs through every room — material palettes, joinery profiles, ironmongery, lighting schemes, tile specifications and colour stories developed as a unified whole. The result is a home that feels intentional throughout.

Every refurbishment is delivered under a single fixed-price contract covering design, structural alterations, full M&E, kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, joinery, decoration and all finishes. We don't quote for building work then add extras for interiors — it's all one price.

Every Room, Every System, Every Detail

A full refurbishment touches every element of your home.

Layout Reconfiguration

Removing and repositioning internal walls, creating open-plan spaces, adding en-suites, reconfiguring staircases and improving circulation. Our architects redesign the entire floor plan before a single trade enters the building.

Electrical Rewire

Complete consumer unit replacement, new circuits, contemporary socket layouts with USB charging, dimmer circuits, smart home pre-wiring and lighting design circuits. Certified to BS 7671 18th Edition.

Plumbing & Heating

Full replumb replacing lead pipework. New condensing boiler or heat pump, radiator upgrade or underfloor heating, pressurised hot water systems and new waste connections.

Kitchen & Bathrooms

Bespoke kitchen design with premium cabinetry and appliances. Bathroom fit-outs with wall-hung sanitary ware, walk-in showers, freestanding baths and underfloor heating.

Flooring & Joinery

Engineered oak, natural stone, porcelain, encaustic tile — specified room by room. Bespoke skirting, architraves, wardrobes, bookcases, window seats and alcove units designed to the property's character.

Lighting & Smart Home

Architectural lighting schemes layering ambient, task and accent lighting. Smart control (Lutron, Rako), multi-room audio pre-wiring, automated blinds and centralised home control.

Room-by-Room Refurbishment Guide

Victorian houses were planned as a sequence of discrete rooms, and restoration reads more clearly when it follows that plan rather than fighting it.

  • Hall and staircase — the geometric or encaustic path and hall floor is often still there under carpet or a later screed. Tiles are lifted, cleaned and reset, with missing units matched by pattern, size and body colour rather than the floor being taken up wholesale. Stained glass in the front door and fanlight is re-leaded in place, and the original string, newel and turned balusters are repaired in matching timber.
  • Front and back parlour — the two principal rooms sit either side of the chimney breasts. Where they are opened into one, the cornice is run in situ to match the existing profile, the ceiling roses stay on the original room centres even though they then read off-centre, and the opening is formed with designed structural support rather than by taking the breast away.
  • Rear addition — the narrow back wing that usually carries the kitchen is the more vulnerable part of the house: thinner walls, a lower or solid floor, and an exposed junction where the wing meets the main rear elevation.
  • Bedrooms — box sashes and their shutter boxes, blocked fireplaces that still need a vent to keep the flue dry, and lath-and-plaster ceilings that are usually consolidated from above rather than pulled down.
  • Bathrooms — nearly always later insertions over suspended timber floors, so joist notching, deflection under a filled bath and moisture control all need working out before the sanitaryware is chosen.

In the many villa conversions around Buckland Crescent, Adamson Road and Belsize Road that room list sits inside a single flat, and the surviving period detail is often concentrated in only one or two rooms of the original plan.

Every room in a full refurbishment has its own technical requirements, specification decisions and sequencing considerations. Here is what is involved in each.

Kitchen

A full kitchen refurbishment begins with complete strip-out of existing units, flooring, wall finishes, electrics and plumbing. The space is then rewired with dedicated circuits for oven, hob, extraction, fridge-freezer and dishwasher, plus general socket circuits with USB provision. Plumbing is re-run in copper and plastic to new locations. The layout is redesigned for workflow efficiency — our kitchen designers follow the work-triangle principle while adapting to the specific proportions of your room. New installations include bespoke or premium cabinetry, stone or composite worktops, integrated appliances, feature lighting (under-cabinet, pendant, recessed), splashback tiling or glass, and engineered timber or stone flooring. Extraction is ducted to the outside. Underfloor heating is fitted beneath the finished floor.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms require the most intensive waterproofing of any room in the house. We strip out all existing fittings, tiles and substrate, then apply tanking membrane to all wet areas (shower enclosures, bath surrounds, floors) before tiling. Underfloor heating is installed beneath porcelain or natural stone tiles. Plumbing is re-run to accommodate the new layout, often including relocation of waste stacks and soil pipes. Sanitaryware selection includes wall-hung WCs (for easier cleaning and a more spacious feel), freestanding or built-in baths, walk-in or wetroom showers with frameless glass enclosures, and twin basin vanity units. Heated towel rails, anti-mist mirrors, recessed LED lighting and extractor fans complete the specification.

Living Spaces

Living rooms and reception rooms often involve structural alterations — removing load-bearing walls to create open-plan spaces, installing steel beams to support the floor above, and widening doorways to improve flow between rooms. Flooring is selected for acoustics and durability: engineered oak, natural stone or high-quality LVT. Lighting design layers ambient (recessed downlights or pendant fittings), task (reading lamps, desk lighting) and accent (picture lights, LED strips, uplighters) circuits on separate dimmer controls. Bespoke joinery — alcove shelving, window seats, media walls, fireplace surrounds — is designed to the proportions of each room. Walls are re-plastered to a smooth finish, and period features (cornicing, ceiling roses, dado rails) are restored or replicated where appropriate.

Bedrooms

Bedroom refurbishment focuses on creating calm, well-organised spaces. Built-in wardrobes are designed floor-to-ceiling with internal fittings (hanging rails, shelving, drawers, shoe racks, lighting) tailored to how you dress. Acoustic insulation is installed in party walls and floors — particularly important in converted flats and terraced properties — using acoustic mineral wool and resilient bars to achieve meaningful sound reduction. Windows are overhauled or replaced: secondary glazing for listed properties, slim-profile double glazing for conservation areas, or high-performance triple glazing where planning allows. Blackout blinds, layered lighting (bedside, wardrobe, ambient) and smart controls complete a restful environment.

Hallways & Stairs

The hallway sets the tone for the entire house. In period properties, we restore original encaustic or geometric floor tiles, repair and French-polish timber balustrades, rebuild newel posts and reinstate panelled wainscoting or dado rails. Where the original features have been lost, we commission faithful reproductions from specialist joiners. Stair treads are repaired and finished in matching timber, with runners fitted for noise reduction and grip. Lighting is critical: a combination of pendant or lantern fittings, wall sconces and recessed lighting creates depth and warmth. Storage is built into dead space beneath staircases. Doorbells, entry systems, coat hooks, shoe storage and radiator covers are all specified as part of the design.

Utility & Storage

A dedicated utility room is one of the most requested additions in a full refurbishment. We create space for washing machine, tumble dryer (or washer-dryer), sink, drying rack, ironing station and cleaning supply storage. Plumbing and extraction are run to the utility room during first fix. Where space permits, a separate pantry with open shelving, cold storage and counter space significantly improves kitchen functionality. Plant rooms house the boiler (or heat pump indoor unit), hot water cylinder, consumer unit and any home automation hardware — keeping services accessible for maintenance while hidden from living spaces. Every cupboard and storage area is fitted with lighting and considered as part of the overall design.

Refurbish vs Rebuild

On a Victorian property the decision is rarely whole-house; it is taken element by element, and it is usually a choice between repairing original fabric and swapping in a modern equivalent.

Sash windows. A box sash that has gone at the cill or the bottom rail is a joinery repair — the decayed section is cut out and spliced with matched timber, pulleys and weights are overhauled, new cords are fitted, and brush seals are let into the staff and parting beads. That recovers most of the draught performance while keeping the original glass and the slim glazing bars. Slim-profile double glazing can sometimes be taken into a repaired frame, but around Swiss Cottage the Belsize Conservation Area and the South Hampstead Conservation Area — the renamed designation that Camden's adopted appraisal register carries in place of a Swiss Cottage one — plus Camden's Article 4 controls mean external change is scrutinised. Replacement is a consent question long before it is a specification question.

Plaster and pointing. Sound lime plaster on lath is kept and patched; stripping back to brick and re-boarding loses reveal depth, buries cornice margins and puts a vapour-tight skin on a wall that was never meant to have one. Cement pointing is raked out and replaced in a lime mix that is softer than the brick.

Roof and stacks. Patching slates and re-dressing a failed valley gutter buys a season or two; stripping, re-battening, re-slating and re-forming the valleys and parapet flashings is the durable answer. Chimney breast removal is the one item that is genuinely a rebuild rather than a repair — the stack above has to be picked up on designed support, and on a shared stack the neighbour's interest is engaged as well.

Not every property is best served by refurbishment. Here is how to decide whether to refurbish the existing structure or demolish and rebuild.

When Refurbishment Makes Sense

Refurbishment is the right choice when the existing structure is fundamentally sound — solid walls, stable foundations, a serviceable roof. It is also the preferred route when the property has period features worth preserving (original cornicing, ceiling roses, fireplaces, panelled doors, timber floors), when planning restrictions make demolition difficult or impossible (listed buildings, conservation areas), or when budget constraints favour working with the existing shell rather than starting from scratch. Most London period properties — Victorian terraces, Georgian townhouses, Edwardian semis — fall firmly into the refurbishment category.

When Rebuild Is Better

Demolition and rebuild is justified when the existing structure has significant defects — severe subsidence, failed foundations, widespread dry rot affecting the structural timber, or extensive asbestos contamination that makes strip-out more expensive than demolition. It may also make sense when the desired layout is so radically different from the existing building that the structural alterations required would cost more than rebuilding. In some cases, a Whole Energy Retrofit analysis may show that the existing building fabric is so thermally poor that a new build to current standards offers better long-term value.

Cost Comparison

A comprehensive refurbishment typically costs £650–£1,250/sqm depending on specification level. A demolition and rebuild (excluding land value) costs substantially more per square metre. However, the rebuild figure includes foundations, superstructure, roof, external walls and all services — elements that already exist in a refurbishment. The decision should be made on a case-by-case basis following a thorough structural survey. We provide honest advice on which route offers the best outcome for your specific property.

Sequencing Your Refurbishment

The order of work on a period house is set by moisture and by the age of the materials, not by which rooms someone wants finished first.

  • Surveys before demolition. A refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey comes first: a Victorian house serviced and subdivided over a century commonly carries asbestos in textured ceiling coatings, old flue linings, cistern bodies and bitumen-backed floor tiles. Original joinery is assumed to carry lead paint, which rules out dry sanding and burning off.
  • Roof, rainwater and external walls. Slates, valleys, parapet flashings, hoppers and downpipes are put right before anything internal is committed, and hard cement pointing or trapping masonry paint is removed on the same scaffold visit.
  • Ground floor and subfloor. Boards up, joist ends and wall plates opened for inspection, decayed bearings spliced, airbricks cleared and cross-ventilation restored under the suspended floor.
  • Structure. Parlour openings, beams and any chimney work are done while the house is stripped of finishes and access is unobstructed.
  • First fix, then lime. Services are chased and run before plastering; lime plaster then wants weeks rather than days before it will take decoration, and that drying period belongs in the programme, not squeezed out of the end of it.
  • Joinery and decoration. Sash overhaul and re-cording, door, architrave and cornice repair, then paint.

Two local items sit on the critical path here. Where the property is one of the many flats in a converted villa or a purpose-built block, the Licence to Alter and the managing agent's conditions have to be settled before a start date means anything. And deliveries, scaffolding and skip placement near the Swiss Cottage gyratory and Finchley Road need arranging early rather than assumed.

The order in which trades enter the building is critical. Getting the sequence wrong causes delays, rework and damage to finished surfaces. Here is the correct order and why it matters.

1

Strip-Out

Everything that is being replaced is removed: kitchens, bathrooms, floor coverings, old plaster, redundant electrics and plumbing, partition walls. The building is taken back to its structural shell. This reveals the true condition of the property — hidden damp, rotten timbers, failed lintels, asbestos — allowing problems to be addressed before new work begins. Skipping a thorough strip-out is the most common cause of cost overruns, because defects discovered after new work has started require expensive rework.

2

Structural Works

Load-bearing walls are removed and steel beams installed. Floors are strengthened, lintels replaced, timber joists sistered or renewed. Any underpinning, foundation work or damp-proofing is completed at this stage. Structural work must be finished and signed off by building control before first fix begins, because the building must be structurally stable before services are installed within it.

3

First Fix (Electrics & Plumbing)

New electrical cables are run to every socket, switch, light fitting and appliance position. Plumbing pipes are run to every tap, WC, bath, shower, washing machine and boiler location. Heating pipework (radiators or underfloor) is laid. Ventilation ductwork is installed. First fix happens before plastering because all cables and pipes need to be concealed within the walls and floors. Getting the positions right at this stage is critical — moving a socket after plastering means cutting out plaster, re-routing cable and re-plastering.

4

Plastering

Walls and ceilings are plastered to a smooth finish over the first-fix services. This creates the final surface for decoration and must be done to a high standard — imperfections in plaster are visible through paint. Plaster must dry thoroughly (typically 2–4 weeks depending on season and ventilation) before decoration begins. Rushing this stage leads to paint failure and mould. We monitor moisture levels with a hygrometer and do not begin decoration until readings are within tolerance.

5

Second Fix

Electrical face plates (sockets, switches, light fittings) are installed. Bathroom and kitchen fittings are connected. Radiators or underfloor heating thermostats are fitted. Doors are hung, ironmongery fitted, skirting boards and architraves installed. This stage brings the house from a building site to something recognisable as a home.

6

Kitchen & Bathroom Fit

Kitchen units, worktops, splashbacks and appliances are installed. Bathrooms are tiled, sanitaryware fitted, screens and mirrors hung. These are the highest-specification elements of the refurbishment and require careful protection during subsequent decoration work.

7

Decoration

Walls are mist-coated (to seal new plaster), then finished with two coats of emulsion. Woodwork is undercoated and gloss-finished (or eggshell for a contemporary look). Ceilings are painted. Wallpaper is hung where specified. This stage must happen after all dusty trades (plastering, tiling, sanding) are complete to avoid contamination of wet paint surfaces.

8

Snagging & Handover

A detailed room-by-room inspection identifies any defects: paint touch-ups, alignment adjustments, scratches, incomplete seals, stiff handles, squeaky floorboards. Every snag is logged, photographed and rectified before handover. We provide a full handover pack including appliance manuals, paint references, material specifications, electrical certificates, gas safety records and a 12-month defects liability warranty.

Building Regulations for Refurbishments

Building regulations attach to the work being carried out rather than to the age of the house, but on Victorian fabric several parts tend to arrive together.

  • Structure. Opening the front and back parlours into one room, forming a wider rear opening, or removing a chimney breast all need designed support with proper bearings and padstones. Repairing rotten joist ends where they sit in a solid wall is structural work too, not carpentry tidying.
  • Moisture and insulation. A solid wall with no cavity moves the argument on: internal insulation shifts where condensation forms inside the build-up, so a breathable system, a condensation risk assessment and continuity around joist ends and reveals matter far more than the headline U-value.
  • Ventilation. Subfloor airbricks and cross-flow under the ground floor, background ventilation to habitable rooms, and mechanical extract in kitchens and bathrooms formed inside old rooms.
  • Flues and hearths. Bringing a blocked fireplace back into use means the flue is swept, tested and normally lined, with a compliant constructional hearth, combustion air and a carbon monoxide alarm.
  • Fire and sound. In the converted villa flats and blocks common across the district, escape routes, compartmentation and separating floor performance are engaged as soon as layouts or floors are altered.
  • Stairs, glazing and electrics. An original staircase can generally stay as it is; anything newly formed has to comply. Safety glazing applies in critical locations, and electrical work is notifiable.

Building control sign-off through Camden or an approved inspector is a separate exercise from conservation area consent, and neither one substitutes for the other.

Not every refurbishment requires building regulations approval, but many elements do. Here are the key Approved Documents that commonly apply.

Part P — Electrical Safety

Any electrical work in a dwelling must be carried out by a Part P registered electrician or notified to building control. A full rewire, new consumer unit, new circuits, or work in bathrooms and kitchens all require Part P compliance. On completion, you receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and the work is registered on the national database. We use Part P registered electricians on every project and provide full certification as standard.

Part L — Energy Efficiency

When you replace more than 25% of a thermal element (roof, walls, floors, windows), the replacement must meet current thermal performance standards. This means if you are replastering walls, you may need to add insulation to meet the required U-values. Similarly, window replacement triggers minimum energy performance requirements. In a full refurbishment where all elements are being renewed, a SAP assessment may be required to demonstrate overall energy performance. We design insulation strategies that improve thermal performance without compromising room proportions or period character.

Part B — Fire Safety (Flats)

If you are refurbishing a flat within a converted building, fire safety regulations apply to the means of escape. Fire doors (FD30S) must be fitted to all habitable rooms opening onto a communal hallway. Smoke detection systems must comply with BS 5839. Fire-resistant construction may be required to walls and ceilings separating your flat from communal areas and other dwellings. Where structural alterations create new openings in fire-separating elements, fire stopping must be installed to maintain compartmentalisation.

Part E — Acoustic Performance

When converting a house into flats, or refurbishing an existing flat conversion, Part E requires minimum acoustic performance between dwellings. This typically means upgrading floor and wall constructions to achieve specified airborne and impact sound insulation values. Even in a single dwelling, acoustic insulation between bedrooms and living spaces significantly improves comfort. We specify acoustic mineral wool, resilient bars, acoustic plasterboard and floating floor systems where required to achieve or exceed the minimum standards.

From Brief to Move-In Day

A structured process ensuring nothing is missed.

01
Weeks 1–2

Survey, Brief & Feasibility

Full property survey — structural condition, M&E assessment, damp checks, asbestos screening. We discuss how you use each room, your lifestyle priorities and aesthetic preferences. You receive a feasibility report with scope, budget and timeline.

Full property survey M&E condition report Design brief Budget framework
02
Weeks 3–8

Design, Interiors & Specification

Architects redesign the floor plan. Interior designers develop material palettes, colour schemes, joinery details, bathroom and kitchen schemes, lighting and furniture layouts — all in photorealistic 3D. Every selection approved from physical samples before ordering. Complete specification document locks in every finish before construction.

Floor plan redesign Room-by-room 3D renders Interior specification Fixed-price contract
03
Weeks 1–4 on site

Strip-Out & Structural Phase

Property stripped to structural shell. Old kitchens, bathrooms, floor coverings, plaster, electrics and plumbing removed. Structural engineering-led alterations: walls removed, steels installed, floors strengthened. Asbestos professionally removed where found.

Controlled strip-out Structural works Asbestos removal Damp treatment
04
Weeks 5–12

First Fix & Services

New electrical circuits, plumbing and heating throughout. Underfloor heating, insulation, plasterboarding, plastering and stud walls for new room configurations. Every socket, switch and pipe position exactly as specified.

Full rewire Full replumb Heating installation Plastering
05
Weeks 13–20+

Second Fix, Fit-Out & Interiors

Kitchen installation, bathroom tiling, flooring throughout, bespoke joinery, staircase renovation, door hanging, ironmongery, second fix electrics, painting and decoration — room by room to quality sign-off. Snagging and handover with 12-month warranty.

Kitchen & bathrooms Flooring & joinery Full decoration Snagging & handover

Transparent Pricing

Guide prices per sqm. All tiers include design, structural work, full M&E, kitchens, bathrooms and decoration.

Essential

Quality Foundations

£650/sqm
  • Full rewire & replumb
  • Layout reconfiguration
  • Good-quality kitchen & bathrooms
  • Engineered wood / LVT flooring
  • Painted finishes throughout
  • Standard lighting design
Premium

Most Popular

£1,250/sqm
  • Everything in Essential, plus:
  • Bespoke kitchen & premium bathrooms
  • Engineered oak / natural stone floors
  • Bespoke joinery throughout
  • Architectural lighting scheme
  • Underfloor heating
Luxury

No Compromise

£2,250/sqm+
  • Everything in Premium, plus:
  • Furniture-grade cabinetry & marble
  • Period detail restoration
  • Smart home integration
  • Designer fixtures & fittings
  • Full interior design service

Why Our Refurbishments Stand Apart

What makes our refurbishments different from a builder and a decorator.

Period Property Expertise

We understand Victorian proportions, Georgian joinery profiles, Edwardian ceiling heights and how to introduce contemporary elements that complement period character.

Material Library

Our Finchley Road studio houses stone samples, timber swatches, tile displays, fabric books and ironmongery collections — all for in-person selection.

Procurement Management

We manage procurement of every material and fitting — coordinating lead times across 50+ suppliers to ensure on-time site delivery.

Thermal Upgrading

Insulation improvements, draught-proofing, boiler upgrades and window enhancements that improve energy performance without compromising character.

Sash Window Restoration

Original sashes overhauled, draught-sealed, re-weighted and re-glazed rather than replaced — maintaining heritage character and avoiding replacement costs.

Project Management

Dedicated project manager coordinates all trades, manages the programme, conducts weekly inspections and provides regular client updates.

Vacant & Occupied

We refurbish both vacant properties (fastest) and occupied homes (phased room-by-room). We advise the most practical approach for your circumstances.

Pre-Purchase Refurbishments

Many clients appoint us before completing on a purchase — so the programme starts on day of exchange and the house is ready to move into on completion.

Recent Refurbishments

Selected whole-house refurbishments across London.

BEFORELOUNGEDININGKITUTILITYAFTEROPEN PLAN LIVINGISLAND KITCHENUTILITY + WCWhole House

Victorian Terrace — Complete

Crouch End, N8 — 4-Bed, 180 sqm

Full strip-back and reconfiguration. New open-plan ground floor, 3 bathrooms, bespoke kitchen and complete rewire/replumb.

180 sqm 18 weeks Premium
SECOND FL — 2 BEDS + BATHFIRST FL — MASTER + EN-SUITEGROUND — KITCHEN-DINER + STUDYPeriod

Georgian Townhouse — 3 Floors

Hampstead, NW3 — Grade II Listed

Sensitive refurbishment: new kitchen-diner, 3 redesigned bathrooms, period joinery restoration and complete M&E upgrade.

240 sqm 22 weeks Luxury
LIVINGKITCHENMASTER+ EN-SUITEBED 2BATHApartment

Mansion Block — Full Refit

Maida Vale, W9 — 2-Bed Apartment

Complete 95sqm flat refurbishment. New layout with en-suite master, open-plan kitchen-living, full rewire and contemporary interior.

95 sqm 12 weeks Premium
View Full Portfolio

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What Clients Say

We bought a tired 1890s terrace and appointed Hampstead Renovations before exchange. They started the day we got the keys. Eighteen weeks later we moved into a home that felt like it had been built for us — the layout is completely different but every period detail respected. The interior design continuity room to room makes the whole house feel intentional.

VL
Victoria L.Whole-house, Highbury N5

The 3D room renders were game-changing. We could see exactly how the herringbone floor, wall colour, pendant lights and joinery worked together before orders were placed. We made two changes in design that would have cost thousands on site. The fixed price held exactly across 22 weeks and 240 square metres.

RM
Robert M.Georgian refurb, Hampstead NW3

We refurbished our Maida Vale flat while renting it out — Hampstead managed everything without us visiting once during the 12-week build. The procurement coordination was extraordinary: every tile, fitting and piece of ironmongery arrived exactly when needed. Boutique hotel standard quality. Tenants moved in the day after handover.

DF
Daniel F.Flat refurb, Maida Vale W9
HR
Reviewed by Hampstead Renovations
RIBA Chartered Architects & Heritage Specialists whose team brings 15+ years combined experience in North & Central London residential projects.

Refurbishment Questions

Common questions about full house refurbishment.

How much does a full refurbishment cost?

All prices are in pounds sterling (GBP, £). Cosmetic refurbishment typically runs £650–£1,250/sqm, and comprehensive back-to-brick renovation £2,250–£3,250/sqm. A typical 150sqm refurbishment costs £120,000–£150,000 (GBP) fully inclusive of design, M&E, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, joinery and decoration. All prices fixed before work begins.

How long does it take?

Design 4–8 weeks. Build: flats 12–14 weeks, 3-bed houses 16–18 weeks, larger properties 20–24 weeks. Vacant properties are faster (simultaneous room access); occupied refurbishments are phased and take longer.

Do I need to move out?

For a full strip-back, we recommend vacating — there will be no working kitchen, bathroom or heating for several weeks. For partial or phased refurbishments, you can remain in residence while we work room by room, maintaining a functioning kitchen and bathroom throughout.

Do you provide interior design?

Yes — interior design is core to our refurbishment service. In-house designers develop complete specifications: colour palettes, materials, joinery, tiles, lighting, ironmongery, bathrooms and kitchens. Everything in 3D and selected from physical samples. We also work happily to an external designer's specification.

Can you refurbish listed properties?

Absolutely — a significant proportion of our work involves listed buildings and conservation areas. We handle LBC applications, heritage-appropriate materials (lime plaster, traditional joinery, period ironmongery) and the need to respect original features while introducing contemporary services.

Will it add value?

A comprehensive refurbishment typically adds 25–40% to London property value — comfortably exceeding cost. The greatest uplift comes from properties bought in poor condition and refurbished to a high standard.

How long does a full refurbishment take?

A typical full refurbishment of a 3–4 bedroom London property takes 12–24 weeks on site, depending on the scope of structural works, specification level and property size. A smaller flat (1–2 bedrooms) with no structural alterations can be completed in 8–12 weeks. Larger properties (5+ bedrooms) or projects involving basement or loft conversions may take 6–9 months. Add 4–8 weeks of design time before construction begins. We provide a detailed programme at the start of every project showing weekly milestones and key decision points.

Can I live in the house during refurbishment?

For a full refurbishment — where every room is being stripped, rewired and replastered — we strongly recommend moving out. The property will have no functioning kitchen or bathroom during the works, dust levels are significant during strip-out and plastering phases, and the constant presence of trades makes daily living extremely difficult. Most clients either rent nearby, stay with family or use short-term accommodation. For partial refurbishments (one floor at a time), it may be possible to live in the unaffected part of the property, though this extends the programme and requires careful sequencing.

What is the difference between refurbishment and renovation?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but in the construction industry, a refurbishment implies a more comprehensive scope than a renovation. A renovation might involve updating kitchens and bathrooms, redecorating and minor repairs — working with the existing layout and services. A full refurbishment typically means stripping the property back to its structural shell and rebuilding everything: new electrics, new plumbing, new heating, new layout, new finishes throughout. It is essentially creating a new home within an existing shell. Our full refurbishment service covers the complete scope from strip-out to handover.

Do I need planning permission for a refurbishment?

Internal refurbishment work generally does not require planning permission — you can rewire, replumb, replaster, fit new kitchens and bathrooms, and redecorate without any planning application. However, planning permission is needed if you are: changing the external appearance of the building (new windows, changing door positions, removing chimneys), making structural alterations visible from outside, changing the use of the property, or working on a listed building (where Listed Building Consent is required for most internal and external works). In conservation areas, window replacement and external changes may also require planning consent.

How much does a full house refurbishment cost per sqm?

Our full refurbishment costs typically range from £650–£1,250/sqm, depending on specification level. A standard refurbishment sits at the lower end of that range and includes complete rewire, replumb, plastering, new kitchen, new bathrooms, flooring and decoration to a good quality. A premium specification sits mid-range and adds bespoke joinery, designer kitchens, high-end sanitaryware, engineered timber flooring and architectural lighting. An ultra-premium specification sits at the top of that range and includes top-tier brands (Bulthaup, Lefroy Brooks, Dinesen), smart home systems, and bespoke everything. For a 150 sqm London house, expect total costs of £75,000–£180,000 depending on specification.

What is included in a full refurbishment?

Our full refurbishment scope covers: architectural layout redesign, 3D visualisations, complete strip-out, structural alterations (wall removals, steels), full electrical rewire to 18th Edition, full replumb in copper and plastic, new heating system (boiler or heat pump), plastering throughout, new kitchen design and installation, new bathroom design and installation, flooring throughout (timber, stone, tile or LVT), bespoke joinery (wardrobes, shelving, media walls), staircase renovation, door replacement or overhaul, ironmongery, lighting design, decoration (paint, wallpaper), and snagging. Interior design specification is included as part of the package — not charged separately.

Do I need building regulations approval?

Yes, for most elements of a full refurbishment. Electrical rewiring must comply with Part P and be certified by a registered electrician. Structural engineering-led alterations (wall removals, new beams) require building regulations approval under Part A. Replacement windows must meet Part L energy standards. Heating installations must comply with Part J (combustion appliances) and Part L. In flats, fire safety (Part B) and acoustic (Part E) requirements apply. We manage all building regulations applications and inspections as part of our service, ensuring full compliance and providing all necessary certificates at handover.

How do you protect period features during refurbishment?

Protecting original features is a priority on every period property refurbishment. Before strip-out, we conduct a detailed survey identifying features to retain: original cornicing, ceiling roses, fireplaces, floor tiles, timber floors, panelled doors, balustrades, stained glass and decorative plasterwork. These are either protected in situ with boarding, dust sheets and impact protection, or carefully removed, labelled and stored off-site for reinstatement. Our specialist plasterers can repair damaged cornicing and cast new sections to match existing profiles. Original timber floors are sanded and refinished. Fireplaces are restored, re-lined where necessary and fitted with appropriate grates or log burners. Where original features have been lost in previous unsympathetic alterations, we commission faithful reproductions from specialist craftspeople.

Explore Our Other Services

A full refurbishment often includes elements from our specialist services. Explore the detail.

Further Reading

Related Guides & Articles

Victorian Guide
Victorian Property Renovation in North London
Kitchen Renovation
Kitchen Renovation Services
Bathroom Renovation
Bathroom Renovation Services
Structural Engineering
Structural Engineering Services
Hampstead
Full Refurbishment in Hampstead
Chelsea
Full Refurbishment in Chelsea
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