Question 1

What services do you offer as builders in Surbiton?

Accepted Answer

We're a full-service residential building company. We handle house extensions, loft conversions, home renovations, full refurbishments, kitchens, and bathrooms, all under a single contract with one project manager running the job.

Question 2

Do you work with architects on Surbiton projects?

Accepted Answer

Regularly. A large share of our work is architect-led. We can join at RIBA Stage 3 to give buildability and cost input before the design is fixed, or come in at tender with drawings already complete.

Question 3

Do I need planning permission for an extension in Surbiton?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the address rather than the postcode. Kingston has no Article 4 Directions in force, so outside a conservation area, much of the interwar and Edwardian stock retains permitted development rights for rear extensions and lofts — worth confirming with a Lawful Development Certificate. Inside a conservation area, or on most two-storey schemes, a full householder application is needed. We check this on the first visit.

Question 4

Which conservation areas cover Surbiton?

Accepted Answer

Four sit in and around the area: Surbiton Town Centre, Surbiton Hill Park, The Groves, and Southborough. Inside them, permitted development cannot be assumed; dormers and materials are scrutinised more closely, and build costs are typically ten to twenty per cent higher because of the specification the council expects.

Question 5

My street isn't in a conservation area. Does that mean there are no restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Kingston designates 19 Local Areas of Special Character, which are separate from conservation areas but still assessed at planning. Several fall within Surbiton and Berrylands, including Berrylands Road, Cranes Park, Grand and Elmbridge Avenue, St Matthew's Avenue, and Walpole Road. On these roads, new work is expected to respect the scale, form, materials, and detailing of the existing street. It's one of the more common surprises here, so we check it early.

Question 6

What kinds of homes do you usually work on?

Accepted Answer

Mostly the local stock: Italianate and Edwardian villas around Surbiton Hill and the town centre, mansion blocks near the station, Victorian terraces on the older roads, and interwar semis out toward Berrylands, Southborough, and Tolworth.

Question 7

How long does a Surbiton project take?

Accepted Answer

A single-storey rear extension typically runs 12–16 weeks on site. A loft conversion is usually 8–12 weeks. A whole-house refurbishment with an extension can run 6–9 months. You get a programme with your cost plan before work starts, not a vague estimate.

Question 8

Do you handle Party Wall agreements?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Rear and side extensions on terraces and semis almost always trigger Party Wall matters. We coordinate the process and serve notices early so neighbours aren't surprised, and the programme isn't held up.

Question 9

Are you local to Surbiton?

Accepted Answer

We're based in SW20, around fifteen minutes away, and work across KT5 and KT6 regularly. Close enough for quick site visits and a genuine working knowledge of Kingston's planning, without being a one-street operation.

Question 10

How will I know what's happening during the build?

Accepted Answer

A dedicated project manager runs the job, with weekly written progress reports and scheduled valuations. You'll have one point of contact throughout rather than chasing different trades.

Frequently Asked Questions