From new door openings to replacement joists and underpinning, GS Renovation carries out structural alterations throughout Wimbledon's Victorian and Edwardian terraces. Working across SW19 for over 30 years, we understand how these bay-fronted homes with their rear closet wings and side returns are put together, and how to alter them without weakening the structure.
Structural alterations tailored to Wimbledon homes
The rear closet wings and side returns typical of Wimbledon terraces throw up their own structural puzzles: forming a supported opening between a return and the main house, or replacing joists that have sagged or suffered decay over a century of use. Every alteration starts with an engineer assessing what is being carried, then specifying the steel, timber or masonry needed to take the load safely.
New openings for wider doorways or serving hatches are formed with a lintel or beam bearing onto padstones, propped while the masonry is cut and let in once the support is seated. Where original joists have failed, we replace them on new bearings and tie the floor back together, so the alteration is stronger than what it replaced rather than a patch that hides the problem.
Underpinning and consents in SW19
Some older Wimbledon terraces show settlement cracking, often on the clay soils around Wimbledon Common and Mitcham Common, and here underpinning may be the answer. We work to an engineer's scheme, excavating and casting in bays so the foundation is never undermined all at once, and building control inspects each stage before it is covered up.
Because most of these alterations affect the shared party wall with the neighbouring terrace, the Party Wall Act applies and notice is served before work starts, with underpinning to a party wall specifically notifiable. Internally the work sits under building regulations and Merton's building control, not planning. We coordinate the engineer and the inspections so the whole alteration is properly signed off.
- Underpinning and foundation strengthening in sequenced bays
- Steel goalpost and portal frames to the engineer's design
- Load paths carried down to foundations on new piers and pads
- Structural surveys and engineer coordination
- Floor structure, joist and beam replacement
Why Choose GS Renovation in Wimbledon
GS Renovation gives Wimbledon homeowners a single team for the full alteration: engineer's design where the terrace is shared, underpinning or new openings built in safe stages, and building control sign-off with Merton. Thirty years across SW19's period homes means we anticipate the quirks of closet wings and side returns before they become problems on site.
- Existing structure protected and monitored as the engineer requires
- The engineer's calculations obtained and worked to on site
- Fully insured, with cover in place on every site
- Our own trades on site rather than a chain of subcontractors
- Temporary works and needling planned before demolition starts
- Building control applications and inspections coordinated for you