Covering Barnes
Our coverage around Barnes (SW13) also includes Chiswick, Putney and Fulham.
Homes in London
London projects often mean working on period terraces with neighbours on both sides, tight access through the house and conservation area controls, so careful planning and party wall work matter as much as the build.
What is a structural alteration?
Structural alterations change the load-bearing parts of a house, most often removing a wall between two rooms and putting in a steel beam to create an open-plan layout. The work needs a structural engineer’s design and building regulations approval.
- Structural engineer’s design and calculations
- Fire protection and plaster encasement
- Making good floors, walls and ceilings
How much should I budget for a structural alteration?
Use these ranges to budget for structural alterations; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.
| Structural alterations | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Single load-bearing wall removal with steel | £3,000 to £7,500 |
| Chimney breast removal with support | £1,800 to £4,500 |
| Multiple walls or full open-plan remodel | £8,000 to £20,000 |
Planning and building rules in Barnes
In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it 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 can affect a structural alteration?
- Shared chimney breasts and walls can involve the Party Wall Act.
- The beam size can mean a downstand in the ceiling unless it is set flush within the floor.
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.
- We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.
What people ask before starting
How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?
We check on site and confirm with the structural engineer.
How long does it take?
The structural work is usually done in a few days, with one to three weeks including making good.
Who deals with the council for a project in Barnes?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Also covering
- Structural alterations in Chiswick
- Structural alterations in Putney
- Structural alterations in Fulham
- Structural alterations in Shepherd's Bush
Learn more about structural alterations, or see every project we cover in Barnes.