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Builders in Richmond: Loft Conversions, Extensions & Renovations

Looking for a builder in Richmond? Crest Projects designs and builds loft conversions, house extensions and sensitive renovations for period homes across Richmond, Kew, Ham and Petersham, with over 20 years of experience.

  • Over 20 years of experience
  • Design, approvals and build under one team
  • Written, itemised estimates
Rear extension with glazed doors to a landscaped garden, by Crest Projects, builders serving Richmond

Who are the best builders in Richmond for loft conversions and extensions?

Crest Projects is a West London building company that carries out loft conversions, house extensions and full renovations for homeowners in Richmond TW9 and TW10. We manage design, Richmond Council approvals, Party Wall notices and the build under one team, with over 20 years of experience. Call 020 8088 8281 to arrange a site visit and written estimate.

Updated October 2026

Loft conversion builders in Richmond

Richmond families often want more space without leaving the area or losing a garden. A loft conversion is frequently the most practical route. Our loft conversion builders in Richmond design the layout, handle the structural calculations and approvals, and build to Building Regulations. In a borough where roofs are closely watched by planners, getting the design and the paperwork right at the start is what keeps projects on track.

Types of loft conversion in Richmond

In Richmond, the rooflines of many streets are part of their charm, so design matters. Rear dormers and rooflight schemes are the most common routes, while mansards and anything visible from the front or from protected views need early pre-application advice from the council.

Illustration of a house with rooflight (Velux) loft conversion windows set into the existing roof

Rooflight (Velux) conversions

Roof windows added without changing the roof shape.

Illustration of a house with a rear dormer loft conversion

Rear dormer loft conversions

Full-height space at the back of the roof.

Illustration of a house with a hip-to-gable loft conversion

Hip-to-gable loft conversions

Straightens a sloping side roof for a larger room.

Illustration of a house with a mansard loft conversion

Mansard loft conversions

Steep-sided, flat-roofed. Needs planning permission.

Loft conversions by property type

Illustration of a terraced house, a common property type for loft conversions

Terraced houses

Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Kew, North Sheen and Mortlake suit rear dormers. Party Wall notices are normally needed, and visible roof changes may be restricted in conservation areas.

Illustration of a semi-detached house, a common property type for loft conversions

Semi-detached houses

Semi-detached houses in East Sheen, Ham and the Richmond suburbs often take a hip-to-gable and rear dormer combination, adding a full extra floor.

Illustration of a detached house, a property type suited to larger loft conversions

Detached houses

Larger detached houses around Richmond Hill, Petersham and Ham have scope for bigger dormers, but heritage, tree and view protections often apply.

Is your Richmond loft suitable for conversion?

  • Heritage rules: Richmond has a very large number of conservation areas, so check whether your street is covered before design.
  • Head height: around 2.2 metres from floor to ridge is the usual starting point.
  • Roof structure: traditional cut timber roofs convert more easily than modern trussed roofs.
  • Trees and views: protected trees and the borough's protected views can limit the size and height of roof alterations.

See our loft conversion service

House extension builders in Richmond

Many Richmond houses have generous gardens, so extending outwards is popular. Our house extension builders in Richmond build single-storey rear, side-return and wraparound extensions, and, where the planning rules allow, double-storey additions. We take care of foundations, steelwork, roofing and glazing, and pay close attention to materials where a house sits in a conservation area.

Aerial view of a rear house extension with bi-fold doors and patio, built by Crest Projects
Rear extension with bi-fold doors
Rear extension to a Victorian terraced house in Northfields, West London
Rear extension, Northfields
Open-plan extension with rooflights and sliding doors to the garden
Open-plan extension with rooflights

Richmond is also a borough where trees, flood risk near the Thames and Metropolitan Open Land can affect extension design. We identify these constraints at the start so your drawings are right the first time.

See our house extension service

Home renovation and refurbishment in Richmond

Richmond has many period homes that are a pleasure to live in once their services and layouts are modernised. We carry out whole-house renovations and individual kitchens and bathrooms, coordinating all trades under one team and respecting original features where they matter.

Kitchen extension with rooflights, exposed brick and white shaker units
Kitchen extension with rooflights
Renovated open-plan kitchen and dining space with herringbone floor and rooflights
Kitchen and dining renovation
Renovated terraced house and rear garden in Hampton, West London
Renovation, Hampton
  • Full house renovation: strip-out, structural changes, services and finishes managed as one project. House renovation
  • Kitchen renovation: layout changes, new services, fitting and finishing. Kitchen renovation
  • Bathroom renovation: waterproofing, tiling, plumbing and fitting. Bathroom renovation

Why Richmond homes need an experienced local builder

Richmond covers a wide range of homes: Georgian and Regency houses around Richmond Green and The Terrace, Victorian villas on Richmond Hill, Arts and Crafts and Victorian terraces in Kew, cottages in Petersham and Ham, and family semis in North Sheen and East Sheen. Many are listed or locally listed as Buildings of Townscape Merit.

The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames has well over 70 designated conservation areas, including Richmond Hill, Kew Green and Petersham. The view from Richmond Hill is protected by law, and large parts of the borough fall within Metropolitan Open Land or the Thames Policy Area. These designations shape what can be built, and how high.

Working in Richmond means understanding Richmond Council's pre-application process and its expectations for materials, roofs and trees. That experience saves months of delay and avoids costly redesigns.

Richmond's Georgian and Victorian houses often hide surprises behind the plaster, from lime mortar and shallow footings to original joinery worth saving. We survey carefully, tell you what is realistic before work starts and use appropriate materials so the finished project suits the building and the council's expectations.

Rear extension to a Victorian terraced house in Northfields, West London
Rear extension, Northfields

Do you need planning permission to build in Richmond?

Many loft conversions and single-storey rear extensions in Richmond can go ahead under permitted development, but conservation areas, listed buildings and protected views remove or restrict those rights. Use the table as a guide and confirm your address with the council.

Planning and permitted development guide for common building projects in Richmond
ProjectPermitted developmentPlanning permission needed
Loft conversion (rear dormer)Often yes, within volume limits (40 m³ terraced, 50 m³ semi-detached or detached)Yes, in conservation areas, for listed buildings, or if limits are exceeded
Single-storey rear extensionOften yes, up to 3 m (terraced or semi) or 4 m (detached), or 6 m / 8 m through prior approvalYes, if larger, in a conservation area, or in a protected view or Thames-side location
Double-storey extensionNo, planning permission is almost always neededYes, with close attention to neighbours, trees and heritage
Work to a listed buildingNo, permitted development does not applyYes, plus Listed Building Consent for most external and internal changes

General guidance only. Rules depend on your property, location and any Article 4 direction. We check this for you before design starts.

Which project suits your Richmond home?

Richmond's housing varies street by street. Use this as a starting point, and we will confirm after a site visit.

Popular building projects by property type in Richmond
Property typeWhere you find itPopular projects
Georgian and Regency houseRichmond Green, The Terrace, PetershamSensitive renovation, listed-building works, kitchen and bathroom refits
Victorian villaRichmond Hill, Kew, East SheenRear extension, loft conversion, whole-house renovation
Victorian and Edwardian terraceKew, North Sheen, MortlakeRear dormer loft, side-return extension, kitchen refit
Cottage and family semiHam, Petersham, North SheenHip-to-gable loft, extension, full renovation

Building in a Richmond conservation area

Richmond upon Thames has a very large number of conservation areas, so it is common for a project to fall inside one. Always check before you commission drawings.

  • Richmond Hill, Kew Green and Petersham are among the designated conservation areas, and many streets also carry Article 4 directions.
  • Roof alterations, front dormers, replacement windows and front boundary changes normally need planning permission.
  • Trees in conservation areas are protected, so you must notify the council before cutting or pruning, which can affect extension layouts.
  • The borough also protects views, including the view from Richmond Hill, which can limit the height and visibility of roof extensions.

We review your address against the council's conservation area maps and designations before design starts, so you know early what is realistic.

What affects the cost of building work in Richmond?

No two Richmond projects cost the same. The main factors are:

  • Heritage requirements: traditional materials, sash windows and lime-based finishes cost more than modern equivalents.
  • Project type: a rear dormer, a wraparound extension and a whole-house renovation have very different scopes.
  • Approvals: planning, heritage statements, tree surveys, structural engineering, Party Wall surveyors and Building Control.
  • Ground and flood conditions: riverside and low-lying areas can need extra groundwork and flood-resilient design.
  • Finish level: glazing, kitchens, bathrooms and flooring often drive the budget.

Try our online cost calculator for a starting figure, or ask us for a written estimate.

How to choose a builder in Richmond

Searching for a builder in Richmond brings up directories, aggregators and a long list of firms. Whoever you choose, check these points first:

  • Heritage experience: ask for examples of work in conservation areas or on listed buildings, and how they handle council consents.
  • Ask for heritage references: request examples from conservation areas or listed buildings, with consent documents.
  • Check tree knowledge: protected trees are common here, so ask how they handle surveys and root protection.
  • Ask about pre-application advice: a builder with Richmond experience will suggest talking to the council early.
  • Confirm flood awareness: riverside properties may need flood-resilient design, so ask how it is handled.
  • Insurance: ask to see public liability cover.
  • Written estimate: an itemised scope, not a lump sum.

How a Richmond building project works with Crest Projects

  1. Site visit and brief

    We visit your Richmond home, listen to what you want, check access and parking around Richmond Hill or Richmond Green, and survey the existing structure.

  2. Design and approvals

    Drawings, structural calculations, a check against London Borough of Richmond upon Thames planning rules and conservation areas, Party Wall notices and Building Regulations.

  3. Written estimate

    An itemised estimate with scope, programme and payment stages.

  4. Build

    A dedicated team manages the works, keeps you updated and keeps neighbours in Kew informed.

  5. Handover

    Final inspection, snagging, certificates and Building Control sign-off.

Local builders across Richmond TW9 and nearby

We work throughout Richmond upon Thames, including:

  • Richmond Hill
  • Richmond Green
  • Kew
  • Ham
  • Petersham
  • North Sheen
  • East Sheen
  • Mortlake

Also building nearby

See our work on the projects page, read about Crest Projects, explore our property investment service or get a starting figure from the cost calculator.

Find Crest Projects near Richmond

Crest Projects Ltd
128a Boston Rd, London W7 2HJ
020 8088 8281
info@crestprojects.co.uk

Our office is on Boston Road in Hanwell, West London, a straightforward drive from Richmond. View our Google Business Profile to see our location, photos and reviews.

Builders in Richmond: frequently asked questions

How much does a builder in Richmond cost?

Cost depends on the type, size, structure and finish of the project. Heritage requirements, conservation area rules and tree or flood considerations can add cost in Richmond. Crest Projects gives a written, itemised estimate after a site visit. Our online cost calculator gives a starting figure.

Do I need planning permission for a loft conversion in Richmond?

Many loft conversions in Richmond fall under permitted development, but conservation areas, listed buildings and protected views restrict those rights. Volume limits and front roof slopes also apply. A lawful development certificate from Richmond Council confirms your position. We check this before design starts.

How many conservation areas are there in Richmond upon Thames?

The council's most recent leaflet lists 85 designated conservation areas, and earlier versions list 70 or more. Check the council's website for the current figure and boundaries. It means many Richmond homes fall inside one, so it is worth checking your address before commissioning drawings.

Can I build an extension on a listed building in Richmond?

Yes, but you need Listed Building Consent as well as any planning permission, and permitted development does not apply. The council will want a heritage statement and sympathetic materials and detailing. We work with architects and heritage specialists to prepare applications that suit the building.

Does the protected view from Richmond Hill affect building work?

It can. The view from Richmond Hill is protected, and the borough also controls development in the Thames Policy Area and on Metropolitan Open Land. Roof extensions and tall additions near these areas get close scrutiny. We check these constraints at the start so your design is realistic.

Do I need permission to prune trees on my Richmond property?

In a conservation area you must give the council six weeks' written notice before cutting down or pruning most trees, and some trees have separate protection orders. Tree roots and canopy can also affect where an extension can go. We include tree considerations in early design.

Do you handle party wall agreements in Richmond?

Yes. Most terraces and many semi-detached houses in Richmond share a wall, so loft conversions, side returns and deeper foundations usually need a Party Wall Act 1996 notice. We guide you through serving notices and agreeing a schedule of condition, so neighbours are informed properly.

Which Richmond areas do you cover?

We cover Richmond, Richmond Hill, Kew, Ham, Petersham, North Sheen, East Sheen and Mortlake, plus neighbouring areas such as Twickenham, Teddington and Hampton.

Is pre-application advice from Richmond Council worth it?

For larger projects, listed buildings and conservation areas, usually yes. The council's officers can indicate what is likely to be acceptable before you pay for full drawings, which reduces the risk of refusal and costly redesigns. We can help prepare the information for a pre-application request.

Can you build in Kew, Ham and Petersham as well as Richmond town?

Yes. We cover all of TW9 and TW10, including Kew, Ham, Petersham, North Sheen and Mortlake. Each has its own character and constraints, from Kew Green's conservation area to Ham's Metropolitan Open Land, and we check them street by street.

How do I get a quote from Crest Projects?

Call 020 8088 8281, email info@crestprojects.co.uk or use the enquiry form on our contact page. Tell us your Richmond address, the work you have in mind and your budget range. We then arrange a site visit, discuss options and send a written estimate.

Planning building work in Richmond?

Speak to a builder with over 20 years of experience. Tell us about your Richmond project and we will arrange a site visit and written estimate.

Crest Projects Ltd, 128a Boston Rd, London W7 2HJ
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