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Builders in London

153 practices covering London. Listings are business information researched by Renovome; contact details and matching happen inside Workspace.

Appointing a builder in London

Most London builder appointments are rear or side-return extensions, loft conversions and whole-house refurbishments on terraced houses. Expect the programme, not the build itself, to be the hard part: skip permits, parking suspensions, restricted working hours and party wall procedures all have to be arranged before anyone breaks ground.

Property you'll be working with in London

Victorian and Edwardian terraces with solid brick walls, shallow foundations and neighbours on both sides. Access is usually through the house or a narrow side alley, so muck-away and material deliveries are hand-balled and priced accordingly.

Planning in London

Borough Article 4 directions remove permitted development rights on many streets, and conservation area coverage is extensive. Your builder will also need a building control appointment, a party wall award in place and often a highways licence for a skip or hoarding.

What builders charge in London

London build rates sit 15% to 30% above the national figure: budget £3,000 to £4,200 per square metre for a mid-finish extension shell in 2026, and £1,600 to £2,400 per square metre for a full internal refurbishment. Preliminaries — scaffold, welfare, skips, parking — typically add 8% to 12%.

Indicative 2026 ranges and local context, not quotations or planning advice. Last reviewed: September 2026.

How to choose a builder in London

You appoint a builder once the scope is defined. If you invite builders before the drawings and specification are settled, every quote prices a different job and you cannot compare them.

  1. Give every builder the same drawings, specification and programme, then compare line by line.
  2. Check the company at Companies House, and ask how long the team has worked together.
  3. Visit a current site, not just a finished photo.
  4. Ask for public liability insurance and, where relevant, a warranty or guarantee.
  5. Agree a payment schedule tied to stages completed, never a large payment up front.

What builders in London typically work on

  • Single and two-storey extensions
  • Loft conversions and garage conversions
  • Kitchen and bathroom refits
  • Structural openings and knock-throughs
  • Whole-house refurbishments

Typical 2026 fees for builders

ItemTypical 2026 cost
Extension shell, per square metre£2,300 - £3,400
Single-storey rear extension, 20 sq m£52,000 - £86,000
Loft conversion, rear dormer£48,000 - £78,000
Structural opening with flush beam£4,500 - £12,000
Day rate, two-person team£380 - £620

Indicative 2026 UK ranges, not quotations. London and the South East usually sit at the top of each range. Last reviewed: September 2026.

Common questions

How many builders should I ask to quote?
Three is enough, provided all three price the same written scope. More quotes on a vague brief produce a wider spread, not better information.
Why do quotes for the same job differ so much?
Usually because they include different work. Compare the inclusions, exclusions and provisional sums before you compare the totals.

Read next

Brief several builders at once

Renovome Workspace shortlists suitable practices for your project, sends one consistent brief and lays the responses out side by side so you compare scope, not just price.

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