Client knowledge base
Resources & expert guidance
Straight answers on planning, budgeting and project management — the things we wish every client knew before their first build.
Guides
Written by builders, not marketers
7 min read
Planning Permission & Permitted Development: A Homeowner's Guide
When you need planning permission, when permitted development applies, and how party walls and building regulations fit in.
Read the guide
6 min read
How Renovation Budgets Really Work
What actually drives the cost of a high-end renovation, how staged payments protect you, and why the contingency matters.
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5 min read
What a High-End Renovation Timeline Looks Like
The three phases of a serious renovation, what happens in each, and the decisions that keep a programme on track.
Read the guideQuick answers
Frequently asked questions
Do you charge for estimates?
No. Consultations and written estimates are free and carry no obligation. For complex structural projects that need engineering or design work before a price is possible, we will explain any professional fees clearly before anything is commissioned.
Do I need planning permission for a loft conversion or extension?
Many loft conversions and single-storey extensions fall under permitted-development rights, but conservation areas, flats, maisonettes and larger designs usually require a full planning application.
We review your property's position at the start and handle the process — architectural drawings, submissions and liaison with local councils across London and the Home Counties.
What is the typical timeline for a full residential renovation?
Timelines vary with scope, but for a full-scale, high-end renovation clients should anticipate:
- Pre-construction (8–12 weeks): design, structural engineering and planning.
- Primary works (16–24 weeks): structural alterations, first-fix services and shell completion.
- Finishing phase (8–12 weeks): joinery, specialist finishes and commissioning.
Smaller projects move much faster — a bathroom typically takes 2–3 weeks on site and a kitchen 3–5 weeks.
How do you handle budgets and payments?
Estimates are broken down by stage so you can see where every pound goes. Once scope is agreed, payments are staged against progress on site — you pay for work as it is completed, not large sums up front. We recommend holding a 10% contingency for the unforeseen issues that are common in older UK properties, and we bring you costs and options before any variation proceeds.
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