Property Services in Wandsworth
Professional renovations and home improvements in Wandsworth, South West London
About Wandsworth
Wandsworth town has a distinctive character — Victorian terraces around Wandsworth Common, period houses near the river, and newer riverside developments. Wandsworth Council is known as one of London's most business-friendly authorities with low council tax and efficient planning, which makes it a popular area for home improvement investment.
Postcodes we cover: SW18
Popular Services in Wandsworth
Kitchen extensions are the leading project in Wandsworth, with the Victorian terraces around Wandsworth Common and Earlsfield benefiting from rear extensions that create open-plan living. Side return extensions are popular on the terraced streets between Wandsworth High Street and the river. Property renovation is also strong — many period houses near the Common need updating top to bottom, and we manage full refurbishments from structural work through to final decoration.
Planning & Building Control in Wandsworth
Wandsworth Council is regarded as one of London's most efficient planning departments with competitive fees and fast turnaround times. Permitted development is straightforward for standard projects. The Wandsworth Common and Old Wandsworth conservation areas have additional requirements, but the council provides clear guidance. Wandsworth is proactive about encouraging residential improvement and their pre-application advice is useful for borderline cases.
Wandsworth Property Insights
Properties in SW18 range from compact Victorian terraces to substantial period houses near the Common. The riverside area has particular considerations — properties in Flood Zone 2 or 3 may need a Flood Risk Assessment for extensions, and some require flood resilience measures. The clay and river gravel subsoil in Wandsworth varies depending on proximity to the Thames and the Wandle, affecting foundation design. The common brick walls and slate roofs are typical of South West London Victorian construction.
Common Projects in Wandsworth
Single-storey rear kitchen extension on a Victorian terrace
The most common big project in Wandsworth. The terraces around Wandsworth Common, Earlsfield, and Magdalen Road have classic dark galley kitchens at the rear that get transformed by 4-5 metre rear extensions with bifold doors and roof lanterns. Cost is £55,000-£90,000 including structural steelwork, foundations on Wandsworth's mixed clay and river gravel (typically 1.0-1.5 metres), glazing, electrics, plumbing, and finishes. Build time 12-14 weeks. Wandsworth Council's permitted development process is among the fastest in London for the standard 3-metre rear extension.
Side return extension on a terrace
The terraced streets between Wandsworth High Street and the river have side passages of 1.0-1.5 metres that suit infilling with a glazed roof and steel-framed structure. Combined with knocking through the existing kitchen wall, the result is a wider open-plan kitchen-diner without giving up garden space. Cost is £35,000-£60,000 including structural steelwork, foundations, glazing, electrics, plumbing, and finishes. Build time 8-12 weeks. Party wall agreements with the neighbouring property are required because the side return shares a boundary wall.
Full property renovation on a period house
Many period houses near Wandsworth Common need updating top to bottom after long ownership. Full refurbishments cover rewiring to BS 7671, replumbing, knocking through the ground floor, new kitchen and bathrooms, plastering, and complete decoration. Cost is £100,000-£250,000 depending on size and specification. Build time 16-24 weeks with a single project manager. Original features (cornicing, fireplaces, sash windows, parquet flooring) are protected and restored, typically adding £15,000-£35,000 to property value at sale time.
Riverside extension with flood considerations
Properties in SW18 within Flood Zone 2 or 3 (mostly within 200-300 metres of the Thames or Wandle) need a Flood Risk Assessment as part of any planning application for new extensions. Some properties also need flood resilience measures: raised electrical sockets, water-resistant materials in the lower levels, and flood barriers at door and air-brick openings. Cost of the assessment is typically £600-£1,200, and we coordinate it as part of the planning process. Resilience measures add £2,000-£5,000 to a typical extension cost. Properties further from the rivers (around the Common) have standard requirements.
Our Services in Wandsworth
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.
From £45,000 | 10–14 weeks
Bathroom Fitting
Full bathroom renovations, from stripping out tired suites to fitting walk-in showers, freestanding baths, and underfloor heating.
From £4,000 | 2–4 weeks
Side Return Extensions
That narrow alley down the side of your terrace? We turn it into usable kitchen space.
From £35,000 | 8–10 weeks
Loft Conversions
Add a bedroom, en-suite, or home office without moving house.
From £45,000 | 6–10 weeks
Painter & Decorator
Clean lines, sharp edges, and a finish that lasts.
From £400 | 1–3 weeks
Property Renovation
Whole-house renovations managed by one team — structural work, rewiring, replumbing, kitchens, bathrooms, and decoration.
From £30,000 | 8–20 weeks
Damp Proofing
Damp ruins walls, damages health, and knocks thousands off your property value.
From £1,500 | 1–2 weeks
Garage Conversions
Your garage is wasted space.
From £15,000 | 4–8 weeks
End of Tenancy Painting
Tenants out Friday, painters in Monday, keys back by Thursday.
From £800 | 0.5–1 weeks
Media Wall Installation
We design and build bespoke media walls — the framework, the joinery, the electrics, and the finish.
From £3,500 | 1–2 weeks
What Customers Say
“All Well managed our project from start to finish. Professional, tidy, and great communication throughout.”
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“Fixed-price contract, no surprises, and they handled all the Building Control paperwork.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Wandsworth Council known as a good planning authority?
- Three reasons. First, fast turnaround times — Wandsworth typically determines permitted development applications in 4-6 weeks rather than the 8-week statutory limit, and full planning applications come back in 8-10 weeks rather than the typical 13. Second, low fees — Wandsworth's planning fees are at the low end for London. Third, clear guidance — the council publishes design guides for extensions, dormers, and conservation area work that make it straightforward to design within their accepted parameters. Wandsworth's pre-application advice service is also useful for borderline cases.
- Do I need a Flood Risk Assessment for a Wandsworth extension?
- Possibly, depending on flood zone designation. Properties in Flood Zone 2 or 3 (mostly within 200-300 metres of the Thames or the Wandle) need a Flood Risk Assessment as part of the planning application for any 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 £600-£1,200 and we coordinate it as part of the planning process. Properties on higher ground around Wandsworth Common are usually outside flood zones and don't need an assessment.
- How does the Wandsworth Common conservation area affect projects?
- The Wandsworth Common conservation area imposes 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. Wandsworth 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 council planning portal before quoting any exterior work.
- Does Wandsworth's low council tax mean lower fees on building work?
- Council tax doesn't affect planning or Building Control fees, but Wandsworth's overall fee structure is competitive. Planning application fees are set nationally (£206 for a householder application). Wandsworth's Building Control fees are typically £350-£600 for a residential extension or loft conversion, in line with the lower end of London authorities. Wandsworth also competes with private Approved Inspectors for Building Control work, which keeps council fees competitive. We use Wandsworth Building Control as the default unless a project specifically benefits from a private Approved Inspector.
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