Covering Esher
Esher sits 13 miles north-east of Guildford, with Walton-on-Thames 2 miles to the north-west and Sunbury-on-Thames 3 miles to the north-west.
Homes in the South East
Many South East homes are inter-war or post-war semis and detached houses with room for rear and side extensions, while historic town centres and villages bring conservation area and listed building controls.
What is included in a house renovation in Esher?
A house renovation brings an older or neglected home up to modern standards: rewiring, new heating, replastering, new kitchen and bathrooms, windows, insulation and often a new layout. It can be done room by room or as one programme while the house is empty.
- Strip-out and structural repairs
- Insulation and energy upgrades
- Decoration and flooring if required
How much should I budget for a house renovation?
Typical ranges for house renovations. Ground conditions, access and specification move the final figure, which we fix in writing before work starts.
| House renovations | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Light refurbishment | £600 to £1,000 per m² |
| Full renovation | £1,000 to £1,800 per m² |
| Structural renovation and remodel | £1,800 to £2,800 per m² |
Do you need permission for a house renovation in Esher?
Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies.
Internal work like this does not usually need planning permission unless the house is listed or your permitted development rights have been removed.
What should Esher homeowners check first?
- Houses empty for two years or more can qualify for the reduced 5% VAT rate on renovation.
- Older houses can hide timber decay and damp, so we allow a contingency.
What happens after I enquire?
- Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
- We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
- Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
- Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.
What people ask before starting
Can we live in the house during a renovation?
For a light refurbishment, often yes. For a full or structural renovation, most people move out for at least part of the work.
Is reduced VAT available?
If the house has been empty for two years or more, renovation work by a VAT-registered contractor can qualify for 5% VAT.
Do you work in Esher?
Yes. Esher is within our coverage for house renovations, along with nearby Walton-on-Thames and Sunbury-on-Thames.
Other towns nearby
- House renovations in Walton-on-Thames
- House renovations in Sunbury-on-Thames
- House renovations in Surbiton
- House renovations in Hanworth
Learn more about house renovations, or see every project we cover in Esher.

