Builders & Renovation Specialists in Lewisham
Kitchen extensions, loft conversions, bathrooms and full renovations in Lewisham, South East London (SE13)
NICEIC, Gas Safe, FENSA and CHAS accredited. 57+ Google reviews averaging 4.9 stars. Free site visit, fixed-price quote.
About Lewisham
Lewisham offers some of the best value period properties in South East London, and many homeowners are investing in renovations rather than moving. The Victorian terraces around Lewisham High Street and the Edwardian semis towards Hither Green have excellent potential for extensions, loft conversions, and whole-house renovations that can transform a £400,000 house into a £550,000 home.
Postcodes we cover: SE13, SE6
Popular Services in Lewisham
Kitchen extensions are the top request in Lewisham — the classic two-up-two-down Victorian terraces benefit enormously from a rear extension that creates an open-plan kitchen-diner. Property renovation is also a strong category here, with many buyers purchasing unrenovated properties at below market value and commissioning a full refurbishment. Loft conversions on Edwardian semis in Hither Green and Lee are also popular, as the roof structures are often ideal for hip-to-gable conversions.
Planning & Building Control in Lewisham
Lewisham Council has been supportive of home extensions and conversions as part of its housing strategy. The Lewisham, Lee, and Blackheath conservation areas have additional requirements around materials and design, but standard rear extensions under permitted development are generally straightforward. The council has introduced Article 4 directions in some areas removing certain permitted development rights, so we always verify the planning status of each property before quoting.
Lewisham Property Insights
Many Victorian properties in Lewisham were built with London stock brick and slate roofs, and some still have original features like decorative plasterwork and cast-iron fireplaces that add character and value. The SE13 postcode area has a mix of clay and gravel subsoil, which generally provides stable ground conditions for foundations. Properties near the Quaggy River floodplain may require a Flood Risk Assessment for certain types of extension.
Common Projects in Lewisham
Single-storey rear kitchen extension on a Victorian terrace
The most common Lewisham project. The two-up-two-down terraces around Lewisham High Street, Hither Green, and Ladywell have classic narrow rear kitchens that get transformed by 4-5 metre rear extensions with bifold doors. Cost is from £45,000 including structural steelwork, foundations on Lewisham's mixed clay and gravel (typically 1.0-1.2 metres), glazing, electrics, plumbing, and finishes. Build time 10-14 weeks. Lewisham Council's permitted development process is straightforward for the standard 3-metre rear extension, though Article 4 directions in some areas remove certain rights — we verify the planning status of each property before quoting.
Full property renovation
Lewisham attracts many buyers picking up unrenovated period properties at below-market prices and commissioning full refurbishments. Scope typically includes rewiring to BS 7671, replumbing (including replacement of original lead supply pipes common in pre-1970 properties), knocking through the ground floor, new kitchen and bathrooms, plastering, and complete decoration. Cost is from £70,000 depending on size and scope. Build time 14-20 weeks with one team and a single project manager. We give a fixed-price contract after the survey so the budget is firm before any work starts.
Hip-to-gable loft conversion in Hither Green or Lee
The Edwardian semis in Hither Green and Lee 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. Properties within the Lee or Blackheath conservation areas need extra design review for visible alterations — we design to Lewisham's guidelines from the outset.
Damp proofing on a Victorian terrace
Particularly common on the lower-lying streets near the Quaggy and Ravensbourne rivers, where groundwater levels are higher than on the higher ground. Original slate damp-proof courses have failed after 120+ years, and the ground-floor walls show a tide mark of rising damp. We diagnose first (rising, penetrating, or condensation), inject a silicone-based DPC cream, allow 4-6 weeks for the wall to dry, then replaster with salt-resistant render. Cost from £2,500 including replastering. 20-year guarantee on chemical DPC work. Properties near the river corridors may need supplementary external drainage.
Our Services in Lewisham
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What are Article 4 directions and how do they affect Lewisham extensions?
- Article 4 directions are local planning rules that remove specific permitted development rights in designated areas. Lewisham has introduced Article 4 directions in some streets (mostly around conservation areas) that require full planning permission for changes that would otherwise be permitted development — typically front-of-property changes like external cladding, window replacement, or roof material changes. They don't usually affect rear extensions or loft conversions, but we always verify the planning status of each property on the Lewisham planning portal before quoting. Properties without Article 4 directions follow standard permitted development rules.
- Do I need a Flood Risk Assessment for a Lewisham extension?
- Possibly, depending on flood zone designation. Properties near the Quaggy River, Ravensbourne, or the Pool River floodplain may sit in Flood Zone 2 or 3 and need a Flood Risk Assessment as part of the planning application for a new extension. The Environment Agency's flood risk maps confirm the zone designation, and we check this at the survey before quoting. Cost is typically from £600 and we coordinate it as part of the planning process. Most of Lewisham's higher-ground streets (around Brockley, Telegraph Hill, Hither Green) are outside flood zones.
- What's the typical budget for renovating a Lewisham Victorian terrace?
- A full renovation of a typical 3-bedroom Lewisham Victorian terrace lands at from £70,000 depending on scope. Lower end covers rewire, replumb, new kitchen and bathroom, plastering, decoration. Higher end adds a single-storey rear extension with bifold doors, loft conversion to add a fourth bedroom, premium fixtures, and structural work to open up the ground floor. Lewisham property values mean the renovation typically returns 1.3-1.6x its cost in property value uplift — better than the London average and significantly better than higher-cost inner boroughs.
- How does the Lee or Blackheath conservation area affect projects?
- Both impose specific requirements on visible alterations. Front-facing dormers on loft conversions are generally refused; rear dormers are accepted with subordinate proportions. Window replacements need to match original style and material (typically timber sash). Render colour and front door changes need sympathetic design. Lewisham Council can act on retrospective unauthorised changes. Rear extensions are usually fine because they're not visible from the street. We check the conservation area boundary on the Lewisham planning portal before quoting any exterior work, and design to the council's published guidelines.
Get a Free Quote in Lewisham
Tell us your project and we will book a free site visit, then send a fixed-price quote in writing. No obligation.