Whole-house refurbishment
High-end whole-house refurbishment in London
Alchemy Build refurbishes houses, townhouses and lateral apartments across central London from top to bottom: re-planning the layout, new structure where it is needed, full re-wiring and plumbing, bespoke joinery, kitchens and bathrooms, and the decoration that brings it all together. One principal contractor, one programme, one point of contact.
What we do
A full refurbishment is a hundred decisions made in the right order
Done well, a whole-house refurbishment feels calm from the outside: a clear programme, a site manager who is there every day, trades who know the house, and finishes that arrive when they should. That is what we run. We take the project from strip-out through structure, first fix, plastering and second fix to decoration and snagging, and we keep the client and the designer informed at every stage.
FMB
Federation of Master Builders member
Insured
Public and employers’ liability
W1
Based in Marylebone, working across prime central London
Refurbishment services
What a whole-house refurbishment with us includes
01 — Structure
Re-planning and structural alterations
Removing and replacing walls, new steels, opening up floors and stairs, and the temporary works that let it happen safely, all built to the engineer’s drawings.
02 — Services
Rewiring, plumbing, heating and cooling
Full re-wiring, new plumbing and drainage, underfloor heating, air conditioning and ventilation, designed and installed to be invisible in the finished rooms.
03 — Finishes
Kitchens, bathrooms and bespoke joinery
We fit and co-ordinate the kitchen, bathrooms, wardrobes, panelling and bookcases, working to the designer’s details, and we protect every finish until handover.
04 — Decoration
Plastering, flooring and decoration
Skim or lime plaster, timber and stone flooring, cornices and skirtings reinstated where they are missing, and a decoration standard that stands up to a close look.
For architects and designers
We build your design the way you drew it
Refurbishments with a designer involved are our favourite kind. We price properly from the drawings and schedules, raise queries early rather than on site, and we are used to protecting finishes and getting joinery and decoration right. Designers get a contractor who makes them look good.
Selected work
Recent whole-house refurbishments
Grade II Listed Townhouse, Maida Vale
Whole-house refurbishment of a listed townhouse: restored fireplaces and panelling, new kitchen, gym and bathrooms.
Loft Extension and Refurbishment, Kensington
Loft extension and full refurbishment of a Kensington house, with new bathrooms, joinery and decoration throughout.
Listed Building Refurbishment, Battersea
Full refurbishment of a listed house in Battersea, with repairs to the original fabric alongside new services and bathrooms.
Questions
Common questions about whole-house refurbishment
How much does a whole-house refurbishment cost in London?
For a full refurbishment of a central London house to a high standard, budgets typically start in the low hundreds of pounds per square foot and rise with the level of structure, services and joinery involved. We give a budget range early and a fixed price once the scope is agreed.
How long does it take?
A typical three- or four-bedroom house takes six to nine months on site once the design is settled. We agree a programme before we start and report against it every week.
Do we need to move out?
For a full refurbishment, almost always yes. It is faster, safer and cheaper than working around an occupied house.
Do you work with interior designers and architects?
Yes. Most of our refurbishments are designed by an architect or interior designer and we are used to building to their details and schedules.
How we work
Consult, design, build: one accountable team throughout
01
Consult
We start with the house and the brief: a site visit, an honest conversation about budget and programme, and a clear view of what planning, listed building consent or party wall matters will be involved.
02
Design
Working with your architect and designer, or with ours, we develop a fully costed, buildable scheme and secure the approvals, so nothing is left to be discovered on site.
03
Build
A fixed programme, a dedicated site manager, our own trades and long-standing specialists, and a standard of finish that is checked room by room before we hand over.
“Alchemy Build delivered exactly what they promised — exceptional quality, clear communication, and absolute attention to detail.”
Homeowner, London
Start a conversation
Tell us about your refurbishment
Whether you have a full set of drawings to price or you are just starting to think about it, we are happy to visit, look at the house and give you a straight view on scope, programme and budget.