Before you plan
If you're in a flat, the lease and the freeholder come first. If a basement is on the table, RBKC's Local Plan normally limits it to one storey and half of each garden, and rules out digging under a listed building.
South Kensington SW7
Extension & Loft Specialists in South Kensington
Period stucco-fronted homes brought up to modern standards. RBKC conservation-aware project planning.
South Kensington's white stucco terraces, mews houses, and mansion flats demand sympathetic, high-specification work. We deliver loft conversions, rear extensions, and full refurbishments that respect the architecture while modernising how the home lives.
Local project guide
Planning a South Kensington period-property project
South Kensington's stucco houses, mews homes and mansion flats need a design and build process that deals with heritage, freeholder and access constraints from the start. We establish what can change, how services will be upgraded and how the building will be protected before fixing the contract scope.
What to check before choosing a contractor
- Check listed status, conservation controls and freeholder permissions for the specific property.
- Treat external work to flats as planning-sensitive and verify requirements with RBKC.
- Coordinate bespoke joinery, lighting, ventilation and finishes as one package rather than late additions.
Completed work
Relevant projects for South Kensington homeowners
South Kensington: what's nearby
We haven't got a South Kensington job on the site yet. In the same borough we've refurbished a two-bedroom flat in Chelsea and renovated a Holland Park home.
Useful pages
Our Services in South Kensington
Loft Conversions
Dormer and mansard conversions for South Kensington terraces and mews. Add a principal suite or studio with rooftop views.
- 8–12 week build
- Typical £80,000–£90,000 (rear dormer with en-suite) ex VAT
- RBKC planning route checked
Rear & Side Extensions
Open-plan kitchen-diners and garden rooms that transform daily living. Sympathetic detailing, modern performance.
- 10–16 week build
- Typical side return £90,000–£100,000 ex VAT
- Party wall requirements checked early
Full Refurbishments
End-to-end refurbishment of stucco-fronted houses, mews homes and mansion flats. Restoration of period features alongside modern services.
- 4–8 month programme
- Fixed-price quote after site visit
- Heritage-sensitive
South Kensington Cost Guide
| Type | Typical Cost | Planning? |
|---|---|---|
| Typical loft conversion (rear dormer with en-suite) | £80,000–£90,000 ex VAT | Often no |
| Typical kitchen / side return extension (build price; kitchen and flooring supplied by you) | £90,000–£100,000 ex VAT | Often no |
| Mansard Loft | Priced at site visit | Yes |
| Rear Extension | Priced at site visit | Often no |
| Basement Conversion | Priced at site visit | Yes |
| Full Refurbishment | Priced at site visit | Check with us |
Typical project build prices, excluding VAT and professional fees (design, structural engineer, Building Control, party wall and planning fees). Prices are the same across every borough we cover; access and logistics (parking, skips, scaffold, restricted access) can affect the final price. Your fixed quote follows a site visit. Most of SW7 sits in RBKC conservation areas, so we check the planning position at our free site visit.
Next step
Discuss your South Kensington project
Tell us what you are considering and choose a callback or site visit. We will review the property, scope and likely approval route before preparing a clear, itemised proposal.
- Federation of Master Builders member
- No deposit upfront; weekly payments for completed work
- Itemised quote with VAT and exclusions stated clearly
Request a South Kensington callback or site visit
Common Questions
Conservation-area, listed-building and Article 4 controls can change what needs permission. We check the official council information for the exact address before recommending a route.
Rear extensions and side returns are often achievable under permitted development or with planning. Front and roof alterations are tightly controlled — we advise on the realistic scope before you commit.
Yes. In a mansion flat you'll usually need the freeholder's licence to alter first. It's your application as the leaseholder, and we provide the method statements and programme the managing agent asks for. Mews houses often have tight access, so we plan deliveries and storage early. In both, space planning and natural light are the main design challenges. Our nearest finished flat work is the Chelsea apartment.
We price full refurbishments individually after a site visit, because the size, structure, specification and access vary so much from one property to the next. Your fixed quote is itemised and excludes VAT and professional fees (design, structural engineer, Building Control, party wall and planning fees), which are quoted separately.
We check the relevant council requirements and can coordinate the information needed for an application. The exact route and professional input depend on the property and proposed work.
Nearby areas we cover
Ready to talk about your project?
Free consultation. Clear, itemised quote. No deposit upfront.