Not every builder understands Kensington. Most shy away from Article 4 Directions, Listed Building Consent, and the strict conservation requirements that govern over 70% of W8 properties. We don’t. We built our entire practice around them.
This is for you if.
If any of these resonate, you’re in the right place. As Kensington builders, we’ve completed over 500 projects across Kensington W8, Holland Park, South Kensington, and the Royal Borough and we’ll bring the same precision to yours.
We Don’t Just Build - We De-Risk Your Entire Project
Our Kensington builders team offers exceptional house extensions that add 20-40% living space without relocating. Whether it's a side return, rear extension, or double...
Transforming your property through a Full house renovation London is a remarkable way to breathe new life into your home.
Our loft conversion Kensington team turns unused roof space into beautifully designed rooms bedrooms, home offices, or en-suite suites. Managed end-to-end, including L...
HOW IT WORKS
A transparent, fully managed process from first call to final handover, with no surprises.
STEP 01 OF 05
15-minute call to understand your project, timeline, and budget. No obligation, no pressure. We'll tell you upfront whether your property requires Article 4 or Listed Building Consent, before you commit to anything.
Dedicated project advisor
One point of contact who understands Kensington builds and conservation rules your direct line from first call to final handover.
Scope & feasibility check
We flag risks early so you are not surprised later in planning or on site.
Fast, honest scheduling
We agree realistic milestones before any work is booked or deposits taken.
STEP 02 OF 05
We visit your Kensington property and provide a fixed, itemised quote within 24 hours.
Dedicated project advisor
One point of contact who understands Kensington builds and conservation rules.
Scope & feasibility check
We flag risks early so you are not surprised later in planning or on site.
Fast, honest scheduling
We agree realistic milestones before any work is booked or deposits taken.
STEP 03 OF 05
Full planning, Article 4, Listed Building Consent all managed by our in-house team.
Dedicated project advisor
One point of contact who understands Kensington builds and conservation rules.
Scope & feasibility check
We flag risks early so you are not surprised later in planning or on site.
Fast, honest scheduling
We agree realistic milestones before any work is booked or deposits taken.
STEP 04 OF 05
Your dedicated project manager oversees every stage. Weekly updates. Zero surprises.
Dedicated project advisor
One point of contact who understands Kensington builds and conservation rules.
Scope & feasibility check
We flag risks early so you are not surprised later in planning or on site.
Fast, honest scheduling
We agree realistic milestones before any work is booked or deposits taken.
STEP 05 OF 05
Full snagging inspection and a 12-month workmanship guarantee on all projects.
Dedicated project advisor
One point of contact who understands Kensington builds and conservation rules.
Scope & feasibility check
We flag risks early so you are not surprised later in planning or on site.
Fast, honest scheduling
We agree realistic milestones before any work is booked or deposits taken.
We specialise in exactly four types of Kensington projects and we deliver exceptional results on all of them.
We don’t just build beautiful spaces — we deliver outcomes that matter to W8 homeowners.
Complete Victorian townhouse refurbishment including structural reconfiguration, full M&E upgrade, and period restoration. Conservation Area approval secured in 9 weeks. Completed on time and on budget with zero planning delays.
Mansard loft conversion on a Grade II listed Victorian property in Holland Park conservation zone. Listed Building Consent managed end-to-end. New master bedroom suite with ensuite and roof terrace. Zero delays.
Selecting a builder for a Kensington project is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make as a homeowner. The stakes are high – not just financially, but legally, structurally, and in terms of planning compliance. The wrong choice can mean abortive planning applications, building regs failures, neighbour disputes, and projects that cost twice what they should.
Here’s why over 500 W8 families and property developers have trusted us with their most valuable asset:
Our Project
Our Kensington extension was completed in 12 weeks, on budget. The team navigated the Article 4 restrictions without a single delay. Property value increased by £180,000.
Our Victorian terrace renovation was managed flawlessly from start to finish. Planning, Listed Building Consent, build, and handover — completely stress-free. The finest builders we’ve worked with.
As a property developer in Kensington, I’ve used many builders. Rated Builders are exceptional — they understand the specific requirements of W8 projects and deliver every time. Now my exclusive builders for all W8 work.
Over 70% of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is designated as a Conservation Area. That’s not a footnote, it’s the central fact of every building project in W8.
Most builders treat Kensington’s planning environment as a barrier. We treat it as our advantage. In the ten-plus years we’ve been operating here, we’ve built a planning practice that runs alongside our build teams securing approvals, managing objections, and navigating Article 4 Directions before they become delays.
The result: your project starts on time, builds without interruption, and completes with full planning sign-off. Zero surprises.
We work exclusively across Kensington and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Every project manager, planner, and craftsman on our team knows the specific requirements of W8 properties – the conservation areas they fall within, the planning officers who assess them, and the architectural details that define them.
We regularly carry out work across the following areas:
If your property is within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, we cover it. Contact us to confirm availability for your specific address.
Everything W8 homeowners need to know before starting a building project in Kensington.
House extensions in Kensington W8 typically cost between £80,000 and £180,000, depending on scope, specification, materials, and conservation requirements. Single-storey rear extensions typically run £90,000-£130,000. Double-storey additions start from £130,000-£180,000, reflecting the additional structural complexity and RBKC planning requirements. All our quotes are fixed-price and fully itemised, no hidden costs. We provide your builders Kensington quote within 24 hours of a site visit.
It depends on your property type and location. In most parts of Kensington, loft conversions fall under Permitted Development -meaning no planning application is required, only a Certificate of Lawfulness. However, if your property is within a designated Conservation Area, an Article 4 Direction area, or is a listed building, full planning permission (and potentially Listed Building Consent) is required. In W8, a significant proportion of properties fall into one or more of these categories. We assess your specific property in the first consultation and manage whichever application is required.
Yes -this is our core specialism. Over 70% of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is designated as a Conservation Area. We have an in-house planning and design team that works exclusively with RBKC's conservation planning officers. We handle Article 4 Compliance applications, Listed Building Consent submissions, and Conservation Area applications. We've successfully obtained planning approval for projects in Edwardes Square, Scarsdale, Holland Street, Holland Park, and Abingdon Conservation Areas, among others.
A full house renovation in Kensington typically takes 14-20 weeks for the build phase, depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the works. Projects requiring structural reconfiguration, M&E upgrades, and period restoration sit toward the 18-20 week range. Simpler refurbishments (kitchens, bathrooms, decorating) can be completed in 10-14 weeks. Planning approvals, where required, add 8-14 weeks before the build begins. We provide a detailed project programme at the point of contract -every stage is scheduled, not estimated.
An Article 4 Direction is a planning instrument used by local authorities to restrict Permitted Development rights in sensitive areas. In Kensington, Article 4 Directions apply to many streets in Conservation Areas -meaning works that would normally not require planning permission (such as replacing windows, altering the front elevation, or changing roof materials) do require a formal planning application. Non-compliance with Article 4 can result in enforcement notices requiring you to reverse the works at your own cost. Our planning team identifies Article 4 status at the initial site visit and manages any required applications -protecting you from inadvertent enforcement action.
Kensington has one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings in London. Listed Building Consent (LBC) is required for any works affecting the character of a listed building. Carrying out works without LBC is a criminal offence. Our builders in Kensington manage the complete LBC application process, typically within 12-18 weeks.
Yes. Every project our Kensington builders team completes is covered by a 12-month workmanship guarantee covering all trades and finishes. If anything isn't right in the first year after handover, we return and fix it at no cost. We are fully insured with public liability and professional indemnity cover appropriate for high-value W8 residential projects.
We work exclusively as Kensington builders across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Every project manager, planner and craftsman knows the specific requirements of W8 properties.
Join hundreds of W8 homeowners who trusted our Kensington builders team with their most valuable asset. No obligation, just clarity on cost and timeline.
