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Renovations in Belgravia

Every trade under one contract across Belgravia and SW1. Structural work, extensions, kitchens and bathrooms, building control handled for you.

Two quite different buildings sit within a hundred metres of each other in Belgravia, and they need opposite approaches. Facing Eaton Square and Belgrave Square are large stucco townhouses over four or five storeys, frequently listed, where a renovation becomes a long staged programme with consent behind every decision. Tucked behind them are the mews, small former stable buildings with a wide opening at ground level and no back door at all. Add the flats above the shops along Elizabeth Street and towards Sloane Square and you have three renovation types in one postcode. We price each of them differently because they are genuinely different buildings.

Mews houses and their particular problems

A mews house has a footprint most people underestimate until they try to furnish it. Ground floors were built for carriages and horses, which means a wide opening at the front, low headroom in places, and a structure never intended to carry modern living above a garage. Converting that ground floor into habitable space is the most common renovation request we see in these lanes, and it pulls several separate issues together: the floor build-up and damp proofing, insulating walls that were never insulated, replacing the vehicle opening with a supported wall and glazing, and providing ventilation.

Everything comes through the front, because there is no rear access and usually no side. On a narrow cobbled mews with restricted parking, that means small deliveries timed to the hour and waste carried out by hand rather than skipped. It also fixes the order of works early: once a staircase or a floor slab has gone, there is no alternative route for the next load. We plan these projects backwards from the largest single item, and one named project manager owns the delivery schedule from first day to last.

Townhouse programmes on the squares

A whole house renovation in a Belgravia townhouse is measured in months rather than weeks, and the value of doing it properly lies in the sequence. Structure, then first fix services, then plaster, then joinery and finishes, with each stage inspected before the next one covers it over. These houses have deep floor structures, solid brick in lime mortar and services added to repeatedly since the 1950s, so opening up frequently reveals more than a survey could. We build review points into the programme rather than pretending an old house will behave predictably.

Consent shapes what is possible. Where a house is listed, internal features are protected alongside the elevation, and listed building consent from Westminster City Council is needed before they are altered. Structural openings need a design from a structural engineer we appoint, not from us, and building control inspects the bearings before they are covered. Where a beam bears into the wall shared with the adjoining house, the Party Wall Act applies and notice is served before work begins. We are fully insured and the paperwork is coordinated for you.

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FAQ

Renovating in Belgravia, common questions

Can a mews garage be turned into a habitable room?

Usually, and it is one of the most common renovations in Belgravia. The work involves raising and insulating the floor over a damp proof membrane, insulating the walls and roof, and replacing the vehicle opening with a properly supported wall and window designed by a structural engineer. Ventilation and fire separation both have to be addressed. It is notifiable work, so building control inspects and certifies it.

How long does a full townhouse renovation take?

Months rather than weeks, and the honest answer depends on consent as much as on construction. Where listed building consent or a party wall award is needed, those timescales sit in front of the build and cannot be compressed. Once on site, structure, first fix, plaster and finishes each follow in order with inspections between them. We set out the whole programme at quotation stage so the waiting periods are visible up front.

Do you produce the structural calculations for a Belgravia opening?

No. GS Renovation is a building contractor, so we appoint an independent structural engineer to assess the load path and design the beam and its bearings, and we then build exactly to that design. It is the correct separation of responsibilities and it is what building control expects to see. We arrange the appointment, the survey access and the inspections as part of the job.

Is a party wall notice needed for work in a Belgravia terrace?

Where a new beam bears into the wall shared with the adjoining house, or a chimney breast is cut out of a shared stack, yes. The duty to serve notice sits with you as building owner and it has to be discharged before that work starts. We identify it at survey, prepare the supporting detail, and programme the job around the notice period so nothing stalls once we are on site.

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Reviews

Rated 4.9 / 5 by our clients

★★★★★ 4.9 average from 31 verified reviews on MyBuilder

★★★★★
Excellent service. George's knowledge and skills are the best in the market. He knows what he is doing, does really high quality work, gives good advice on how to setup worktops, bathrooms, what type of panels and materials to use and can…
habibazamChigwell · via MyBuilder
★★★★★
George was very friendly and helpful from start to finish. He worked really hard to ensure our kitchen was installed to a high standard and was accommodating to the changes we wanted along the way. We're really happy with the end result…
sophie35636Wanstead, London · via MyBuilder
★★★★★
Really great job done in our bathroom to replace the shower head in the bathtub, and install a shower screen and caddy. We are very happy with the result. The job was done excellently. Communication was really great helping us find what we…
anja33030Enfield · via MyBuilder
Read all 31 reviews on MyBuilder

Planning a Renovation in Belgravia?

Free, no-obligation quote for any renovation work in Belgravia. Rated 4.9 from 31 reviews on MyBuilder, fully insured, and building control handled for you.

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