Property Renovation Contractors in Kensington (W8, W14)
Professional property renovation contractors in Kensington, West London.
Why Choose All Well for Property Renovation in Kensington?
Kensington renovations are the pinnacle of residential construction. We work on the Georgian and Victorian townhouses at the top end of London's residential market, where every detail needs to be perfect, from the specialist decorative plasterwork to the bespoke joinery, from the stone floors to the smart home integration. These projects need exceptional project management and trades who understand that 'good enough' doesn't exist at this level. We coordinate every aspect and maintain the standards throughout.
Every project comes with a fixed-price contract, single project manager, and full certification including Building Control sign-off.
Property Renovation for Kensington Properties
Kensington is known for its victorian terraces, stucco-fronted townhouses, mansion flats, conservation areas. Our property renovation services are tailored to these property types, ensuring results that complement the character of your home.
Postcodes we cover: W8, W14, SW5
Property Renovation Tip for Kensington Homeowners
RBKC has specific policies on basement development, including maximum excavation depths and mandatory Construction Management Plans. Construction hours are restricted (8am-6pm weekdays, 8am-1pm Saturdays, no work on Sundays), and the council actively enforces these. For above-ground renovation of listed properties, every alteration needs LBC approval, including internal works like removing walls, changing door openings, and modifying the staircase. We maintain a detailed schedule of works agreed with the conservation officer before starting on site.
Types of property renovation we carry out in W8 and SW5
Three patterns cover most full renovations we run in W8, W14, and SW5.
Grade II listed Georgian and Victorian townhouse restoration in Kensington
The stucco-fronted Georgian and early Victorian townhouses around Kensington Palace, Cromwell Road, Onslow Square, and the streets running off Kensington High Street are typically Grade II listed. Listed Building Consent is required for any internal layout change, removal or alteration of original features (sash windows, fireplaces, panelled doors, decorative plasterwork, lath-and-plaster ceilings, original timber staircases, parquet flooring), replacement of original windows, and any external change. This is a full townhouse restoration to original specification throughout. Build time 36-52 weeks with a conservation-specialist architect, heritage consultant, and quantity surveyor.
Mansion flat renovation with Section 20 and Licence to Alter
Kensington has a high concentration of mansion blocks around Cromwell Road, Queen's Gate, and Earls Court Road. Mansion flat leases include a Licence to Alter requirement for any structural change, and Section 20 leaseholder consultation applies where works exceed the thresholds set by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. This covers a typical 2-3 bed mansion flat at Kensington specification. Build time 18-32 weeks, with coordination with the freeholder, building manager, and freeholder's surveyor required throughout. A combined renovation plus basement extension, excavating beneath the existing footprint to add 50-100 square metres of below-ground space, is the third pattern distinctive to RBKC. Build time 60-78 weeks combined. RBKC has specific basement policies including maximum excavation depth, Basement Impact Assessment requirements, and mandatory Construction Management Plans.
RBKC planning rules that affect every Kensington renovation
Three Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea factors regularly affect renovation scope and timing on W8, W14, and SW5 projects.
RBKC basement policy and Basement Impact Assessment requirements
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has the most restrictive basement development policy in London. Single-storey basement extensions are permitted under specific conditions, but multi-storey basement excavations are now generally refused under Policy CL7 of the RBKC Local Plan. A Basement Impact Assessment (BIA) is mandatory for all basement applications and must be prepared by a qualified hydrogeologist and structural engineer. The BIA covers groundwater impact, structural impact on neighbouring properties, drainage, traffic, and Construction Management Plan compliance. The application typically takes 12-20 weeks at RBKC and requires consultation with adjoining owners under the Party Wall Act 1996. Construction hours across RBKC are strictly enforced: 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, 8am-1pm Saturday, no work on Sundays or public holidays. A Construction Management Plan is mandatory for any significant project, covering vehicle access, materials delivery scheduling, skip permits, hoarding, and dust/noise management.
Listed Building Consent for stucco-fronted Georgian and Victorian properties
RBKC's conservation team has high standards. Listed Building Consent applications take 8-12 weeks and require heritage materials matched to the original throughout: stucco repair using natural hydraulic lime (not modern render), lime plaster with horsehair binder on original walls and ceilings, lime mortar pointing on stock brick where exposed, traditional timber sash window restoration with cylinder glass where original, original parquet and stone floor restoration. Conservation officers review applications individually against the listing description and the streetscape character. Listed Kensington renovations take more time and more specialist trades than equivalent work on a non-listed property because of the heritage materials and consent process. For mansion blocks, Licence to Alter is required for any structural change including removing internal walls, adding en-suites, or changing layouts. Application to the freeholder takes 8-16 weeks depending on the management company.
How we manage a Kensington renovation project from survey to handover
A Kensington full renovation typically involves 18-25 different trades over 36-78 weeks. We assign one project manager from survey through handover with daily progress updates throughout the build.
Trades, Building Regulations, and RBKC Building Control on Kensington jobs
Trades on a full Kensington renovation include demolition, structural engineering, basement excavation where applicable, drainage, electrics (NICEIC, BS 7671), plumbing, gas (Gas Safe), plastering, lime plaster specialists with horsehair binder, sash window restoration, decorative plasterwork specialists, bespoke joinery, panelling joinery, bespoke kitchen fitting, premium bathroom fitting, tiling, stone flooring, parquet flooring restoration, glazing (FENSA), painting with breathable mineral or heritage paint on heritage walls, decoration, and smart home integration. Listed projects add a heritage consultant, conservation-specialist architect, and quantity surveyor. Building Regulations apply for the rewire (Part P), structural opening-up (Part A), basement excavation (Part A and BS 8102 Grade 3 waterproofing), drainage (Part H), thermal performance (Part L), and any unvented cylinder. The fixed-price contract covers labour, materials, all fees, structural engineer calculations, basement Construction Management Plan, Basement Impact Assessment where applicable, FENSA registration, party wall surveyor coordination, Listed Building Consent applications and heritage consultant fees, Section 20 leaseholder consultation and Licence to Alter on mansion flats, conservation-specialist architect coordination, and all Building Control fees. The contract is signed before any work starts; variations are quoted in writing before they are done.
Property Renovation in Kensington: What's Included
How I price property renovation in Kensington
I price every property renovation job in Kensingtonafter I’ve seen it. No two properties are the same, so a number here would only mislead you. What you get instead is a fixed-price contract, a week-by-week programme, and no costs that turn up later.
Get a fixed quoteWhat Our Customers Say
“All Well managed our project from start to finish. The fixed-price contract meant no surprises, and the result is stunning.”
Verified Customer
Kensington
“Professional team, clear communication throughout. They handled everything including Building Control sign-off.”
Verified Customer
Kensington
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a Kensington property renovation cost?
- It depends on the property and the specification. Grade II listed townhouse restoration is a full refurbishment to original specification throughout, with the size and finish setting the scope. Mansion flat renovation covers a typical 2-3 bed flat at Kensington specification, where the heritage materials, conservation officer process, Listed Building Consent, Section 20 consultation, and Licence to Alter all add to the work over an equivalent job on a non-listed outer-London property. Combined renovation plus basement extension adds the excavation and finishing of the below-ground space on top of the wider renovation. We confirm a fixed price after a free site visit, before any work starts.
- Can I add a basement to my Kensington property?
- Possibly, depending on RBKC policy and the specific property. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has the most restrictive basement development policy in London. Single-storey basement extensions are permitted under specific conditions in Policy CL7 of the RBKC Local Plan, but multi-storey basement excavations are now generally refused. A Basement Impact Assessment is mandatory for all applications, prepared by a qualified hydrogeologist and structural engineer. The BIA covers groundwater impact, structural impact on neighbouring properties, drainage, traffic, and Construction Management Plan compliance. Application typically takes 12-20 weeks at RBKC. Party Wall Act 1996 requirements apply to consultation with adjoining owners. We assess feasibility against the latest RBKC policy before starting any design work.
- What's the process for Listed Building Consent in Kensington?
- Application to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea takes 8-12 weeks and requires a detailed schedule of works agreed with the conservation officer before submission. Listed Building Consent applies to internal and external changes alike. Conservation officers review applications individually against the listing description and the streetscape character. Heritage materials matched to the original are required throughout: stucco repair using natural hydraulic lime to match the original (not modern render), lime plaster with horsehair binder on original walls and ceilings (BS EN 459 NHL 2 or 3.5), lime mortar pointing on stock brick, traditional timber sash window restoration with cylinder glass where original, original parquet and stone floor restoration. We work with conservation-specialist architects and heritage consultants on every listed Kensington project, and we maintain a detailed schedule of works agreed with the conservation officer before starting on site.
- Why hire All Well for a Kensington property renovation?
- Three reasons. First, premium project standards: we run renovations to the standard required for the finest Kensington townhouses, with bespoke joinery, decorative plasterwork specialists, lime plaster with horsehair binder, sash window restoration with cylinder glass, original parquet and stone floor restoration, and smart home integration. Second, full accreditation: NICEIC for electrical (BS 7671), FENSA for glazing, Gas Safe registered for boiler work, structural engineer calculations included, BS 8102 basement waterproofing, and Building Control sign-off on every project. Third, fixed-price contracts: the price is confirmed after a free site visit and doesn't change unless the specification does, including Listed Building Consent applications, Basement Impact Assessment, Section 20 consultation, Licence to Alter, Construction Management Plan, and Party Wall Act 1996 surveyor coordination across multiple neighbours. Office on Limes Avenue, SE20.
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 4.5 stars. All Well Property Services® is a UK registered trademark, Companies House no. 12721034, operating from Unit 1 Limes Avenue, Anerley SE20 8QR.
Property Renovation Near Kensington
Get a Free Quote for Your Kensington Property Renovation
Fixed-price quote, no obligation. Call us or fill out our form.