Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian houses are London's most loved homes — and the most rewarding to renovate. They also behave differently from modern buildings. Getting the approach right protects the character that gives these homes their value.
Check the rules first
- Conservation areas. Much of Kensington, Chelsea, Hampstead, Highgate, Islington, Notting Hill and St John's Wood is covered. Permitted development rights are reduced, and changes visible from the street usually need planning permission.
- Article 4 directions. Many boroughs remove further rights — for example to replace windows or front doors — so even like-for-like changes may need consent.
- Listed buildings. Listed building consent is needed for works that affect the character of the building, inside or out. Carrying out such works without consent is a criminal offence, so always check first.
Let the building breathe
Older houses were built with solid brick walls and lime mortar and plaster, which let moisture move through them. Cement render, gypsum plaster on damp walls and impermeable paints can trap moisture and cause the very damp problems they were meant to hide. Where walls need repair, breathable lime-based materials are usually the right choice.
Diagnose damp before treating it
Many "rising damp" quotes in London are really caused by raised garden levels, blocked air bricks, leaking gutters or cement render. Fixing the cause is cheaper and lasts longer than injecting chemicals and re-plastering.
Keep — or carefully restore — the details
- Cornices and ceiling roses can be repaired or recast to match.
- Sash windows can often be overhauled, draught-proofed and fitted with slim double glazing or secondary glazing instead of being replaced.
- Original floorboards and fireplaces add value; restore them where you can.
Upgrade what you can't see
A full renovation is the moment to rewire, replumb, upgrade the heating and insulate where it is safe to do so — roofs, suspended timber floors and, with care, internal walls. Doing it all at once means floors and walls are opened only one time.
Structural alterations
Removing chimney breasts or knocking through reception rooms needs a structural engineer, building regulations approval and often a party wall notice. Done properly, these changes create the open, light spaces modern families want without compromising the house.
See our period townhouse refurbishment and Victorian family home, and the prime London areas where we work, including Kensington, Chelsea and Hampstead.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission to renovate a house in a conservation area?
Internal works often don't need planning permission, but external changes visible from the street usually do, and Article 4 directions can remove further rights. Listed buildings need listed building consent for works affecting their character.
Should I use lime plaster in a Victorian house?
Often, yes. Solid-walled period houses need to breathe; lime-based plasters and mortars let moisture escape, while cement and gypsum on damp walls can trap it.
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