Builders & Renovation Specialists in Balham
Kitchen extensions, loft conversions, bathrooms and full renovations in Balham, South West London (SW12)
NICEIC, Gas Safe, FENSA and CHAS accredited. 57+ Google reviews averaging 4.9 stars. Free site visit, fixed-price quote.
About Balham
Balham has become one of the most popular areas in South West London for young families, and the housing stock reflects it — wide Edwardian semis with generous gardens, Victorian terraces with period charm, and solid mansion blocks. Homeowners here are typically extending and upgrading to avoid the cost of moving in an area where prices have risen sharply.
Postcodes we cover: SW12
Popular Services in Balham
Loft conversions are the standout service in Balham. The Edwardian semis that line streets like Boundaries Road and Ramsden Road have excellent roof structures for hip-to-gable conversions, adding a master bedroom with en-suite and often a home office. Kitchen extensions on the Victorian terraces are equally popular, with most clients opting for a rear extension of 4-6 metres to create an open-plan kitchen-diner with bifold doors to the garden.
Planning & Building Control in Balham
Balham falls under Wandsworth Council, which is efficient and generally supportive of residential extensions. The Heaver Estate conservation area around Balham Park Road has specific requirements for materials and design. For loft conversions, Wandsworth expects dormer designs to be subordinate to the existing roofline — oversized dormers are regularly refused. We design dormers that meet Wandsworth guidelines from the outset to avoid delays.
Balham Property Insights
Edwardian semis in Balham typically have cavity walls (unlike earlier Victorian properties), which makes insulation more straightforward for extensions. The generous plot sizes in SW12 mean rear extensions rarely run into issues with the 50% garden coverage rule. Many Balham properties have original parquet flooring, picture rails, and ceiling roses that buyers pay a premium for — we take care to protect and restore these features during renovation.
Common Projects in Balham
Hip-to-gable loft conversion on an Edwardian semi
The standout Balham project. The Edwardian semis along Boundaries Road, Ramsden Road, and Gaskarth Road have hipped roof structures that suit hip-to-gable conversions: the sloping side roof becomes a vertical gable wall, and a rear dormer creates a master bedroom with en-suite. Cost is from £55,000 including structure, staircase, en-suite plumbing, electrics, plastering, and decoration. Build time 10-14 weeks. Wandsworth Council expects dormers to be subordinate to the existing roofline — oversized designs are regularly refused, and we design to the council's guidelines from the outset to avoid delays.
Single-storey rear kitchen extension
Balham's Edwardian semis and Victorian terraces have generous rear gardens and good rear walls for 4-6 metre single-storey extensions. The cavity walls on Edwardian properties make insulation upgrades during the extension straightforward — we typically tie in new insulation to the existing cavity rather than adding internal lining. Cost is from £55,000 including structural steelwork, foundations, glazing (bifolds or sliding doors are most common), electrics, plumbing, and finishes. Build time 12-14 weeks. Wandsworth's permitted development process is fast for standard 3-metre rear extensions on terraces and 4 metres on semis.
Full property renovation on a period property
Balham attracts families upgrading rather than moving as prices have risen. Full renovations typically include rewiring to BS 7671, replumbing, knocking through the ground floor, new kitchen and bathrooms, plastering, and complete decoration. Original parquet flooring is sanded and resealed rather than replaced (saves £5,000-£10,000 over new flooring and adds character buyers pay for). Cost is from £100,000 depending on size and specification. Build time 16-22 weeks with a single project manager. Often combined with a kitchen extension or loft conversion as a single coordinated project.
Side return extension on a Victorian terrace
Less common in Balham than in neighbouring Clapham (Edwardian semis don't have side returns), but the Victorian terraces around Bedford Hill and the streets towards Tooting Bec do have them. Side returns of 1.0-1.5 metres get infilled with a glazed roof and steel-framed structure, combined with knocking through the existing kitchen wall to create a wider open-plan kitchen-diner. Cost is from £35,000 including structural steelwork, foundations, glazing, electrics, plumbing, and finishes. Build time 8-12 weeks. Party wall agreements with the neighbouring property are needed because of the shared side wall.
Our Services in Balham
Kitchen Extensions
We design and build kitchen extensions that turn cramped, separate rooms into open-plan spaces you actually want to cook and eat in.
Fixed-price quote
Bathroom Fitting
Full bathroom renovations, from stripping out tired suites to fitting walk-in showers, freestanding baths, and underfloor heating.
Fixed-price quote
Side Return Extensions
That narrow alley down the side of your terrace? We turn it into usable kitchen space.
Fixed-price quote
Loft Conversions
Add a bedroom, en-suite, or home office without moving house.
Fixed-price quote
Painter & Decorator
Clean lines, sharp edges, and a finish that lasts.
Fixed-price quote
Property Renovation
Whole-house renovations managed by one team — structural work, rewiring, replumbing, kitchens, bathrooms, and decoration.
Fixed-price quote
Damp Proofing
Damp ruins walls, damages health, and knocks thousands off your property value.
Fixed-price quote
Garage Conversions
Your garage is wasted space.
Fixed-price quote
End of Tenancy Painting
Tenants out Friday, painters in Monday, keys back by Thursday.
Fixed-price quote
Media Wall Installation
We design and build bespoke media walls — the framework, the joinery, the electrics, and the finish.
Fixed-price quote
Handyman & Property Maintenance
A reliable local handyman backed by a proper building firm.
Fixed-price quote
What Customers Say
“So happy with the work done by Les and Richard!! We bought a house that needed new paint, cracks filled, a new bathroom fan and some mold removal and they did it all. The quality of the work is phenomenal; it looks like a brand new house. We’ll definitely be hiring them for our future projects!”
Brenna Bodine
6 months ago
“We've had a media wall put in place with fireplace. Richard was very professional and everything that I had got addressed fast. The medial wall looks great, would def recommend them”
Raluca Andra
2 months ago
All Well has completed 100+ projects across 25 London boroughs since 2020. We are NICEIC approved for electrical work, FENSA registered for glazing, and CHAS certified for site safety, with Public Liability insurance to £5 million. 57+ Google reviews average 4.9 stars. All Well Property Services® is a UK registered trademark, Companies House no. 12721034, operating from Unit 1 Limes Avenue, Anerley SE20 8QR.
Accredited & Certified
Nearby Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Wandsworth Council expect from Balham loft conversions?
- Dormers that are subordinate to the existing roofline. Wandsworth's planning team regularly refuses oversized dormers that dominate the roofscape, and the Heaver Estate conservation area (around Balham Park Road) has specific material and design requirements. Acceptable dormer designs typically sit below the existing ridge by at least 200-300mm, set back from the front and rear roof edges, and use materials matching the existing roof (slate or matching tiles). We design to Wandsworth's guidelines from the outset and our submitted designs typically get approved without revisions.
- Are cavity walls on Balham Edwardian semis an advantage?
- Yes, for insulation upgrades during extensions and renovations. Edwardian properties built around 1900-1910 typically have cavity walls (unlike earlier Victorian properties built to solid 9-inch construction). When extending or renovating, we can tie new insulation into the existing cavity using bonded bead or mineral wool fill, which improves the overall thermal performance without losing internal floor area. This is significantly more efficient than internal wall insulation, which steals 50-75mm from each external wall and is the only option on solid-wall Victorian properties.
- Can I extend further than the standard 3 or 4 metre limit?
- Yes, with full planning permission. Wandsworth Council is generally supportive of larger rear extensions on Balham's wider plots, particularly on the Edwardian semis with deeper rear gardens. A full planning application takes 8-10 weeks and costs £206. We handle the application, drawings, design and access statement, and any neighbour consultation. The 50% garden coverage rule is the main constraint — extensions plus existing outbuildings can't cover more than 50% of the rear garden area. Most Balham properties have enough garden depth to extend 5-6 metres without breaching this.
- How do you protect original features during a Balham renovation?
- Properly. Original parquet flooring is sheeted with hardboard and protected from foot traffic during the structural phase. Cornicing, ceiling roses, picture rails, and original sash windows are masked, taped, and sometimes covered with bespoke ply or cardboard sheeting before any heavy work. We use lime-based plaster repairs rather than gypsum where the substrate is original, and breathable mineral paint on lime-plastered walls. The cost of preserving original features is small compared with the £15,000-£30,000 they typically add to a Balham property's value at sale time.
Get a Free Quote in Balham
Tell us your project and we will book a free site visit, then send a fixed-price quote in writing. No obligation.