I have known Kraman Ltd for about 4 years and Alex, the director, for about 10years. Over this time Alex has always been my first choice for any work that I have needed done in or on my home. In 2000 Alex did some refurbishment work for me that I was very pleased with. Due to the quality of his work I then asked if he would work on another refurbishment project. This was to …
Building & refurbishment, London since 2006
East London builders
trusted with your home
for 20 years.
Full house refurbishments, loft and basement conversions, extensions and listed building restoration across East, Central, South East and North London. FMB accredited, NICEIC and Gas Safe registered. We quote what we will charge, and we charge what we quoted.
FMB accredited
NICEIC registered
Gas Safe
£5m public liability
20yrs
Operating in London
5★
FMB rating
FMB · NICEIC · Gas Safe
Accredited memberships
East · Central · SE · North
London zones we work in
What we do
Six trades, one accountable contractor.
The project contract records the agreed scope and responsibilities. Before work starts, we identify the site contact and arrangements for progress updates.
Full refurbishment
Whole-house projects from strip-out to handover. Structural, M&E, finishes, kitchen, bathrooms, decoration, all under one programme.
Read moreLoft conversions
Hip-to-gable, rear dormers and L-shape Mansards. Party wall agreements, structural calcs and building control all handled in-house.
Read moreBasement conversions
Underpinning, lightwells, full waterproof tanking to BS 8102. Working with party wall surveyors and structural engineers we have known for years.
Read moreHouse extensions
Side-returns, rear extensions, double-storey and wrap-arounds. Steelwork, glazing, sliding doors, polished concrete or oak engineered finishes.
Read moreKitchens & bathrooms
Bespoke joinery, stone worktops, wet rooms, underfloor heating. We work with your designer or recommend ours.
Read moreListed building restoration
Lime plaster, sash window repairs, cornicing and other period details are assessed against the property and agreed heritage specification.
Read more
Areas we cover
Working across London, based in E11.
We are builders based in Leytonstone. Most of our construction and refurbishment projects are in East London and the surrounding areas, and we work across the rest of London too.
Zone 01
East London
Based in Leytonstone since 2006. We have refurbished houses and flats across East London.
- Leytonstone
- Leyton
- Stratford
- Walthamstow
- Chigwell
- Epping
- Hackney
- Loughton
- South Woodford
- Wanstead
Zone 02
Central London
Stucco-fronted townhouses, mansion blocks, listed terraces. Permits, parking dispensations, freeholder approvals, all part of the job. We have been delivering Central London refurbishments for the better part of two decades.
- Chelsea
- South Kensington
- Battersea
- Notting Hill Gate
- Holland Park
Zone 03
South East London
In Brockley we refurbished a Victorian house, including its staircase and interiors.
- Blackheath
- Brockley
- Docklands
- Greenwich
- Lewisham
Zone 04
North London
In North London we have worked in Highgate, Winchmore Hill and East Finchley.
- Camden
- Islington
- Holloway
- Wood Green
How we work
From the first visit to handover
We do not start a job until the drawings are watertight and the contract is signed. We do not finish a job until you have walked the snagging list with us and signed it off.
01
Site survey
The initial site visit is free. We discuss the proposed work, inspect the accessible areas and agree what information is needed to prepare an estimate.
02
Detailed quote
The written estimate sets out the scope, price, exclusions and provisional sums. Changes to the work and their cost are agreed before the additional work proceeds.
03
On-site build
Before work starts, we agree site access, delivery arrangements and progress updates. The programme identifies the stages of work and any inspections needed.
04
Snagging walkthrough
We walk every room with you, write the snagging list together, and close every item before we send the final invoice. Two-year workmanship guarantee on top of all manufacturer warranties.
Featured projects
Samples of work across London, finished by our own team.
Six examples, from a restored Victorian entrance in Brockley to a replacement extension roof in Walthamstow.
Period restoration · SE4
Brockley Victorian Terrace
Restored Victorian entrance with original arched portico, period mosaic tile pathway and reinstated cast iron railings.
Bathroom · E14
Canary Wharf Shower Room
Compact en-suite refit in a Canary Wharf flat. Full strip out, new soil stack, chrome rainfall shower, low-profile tray.
Kitchen · N6
Highgate Family Kitchen
Family kitchen refit in a Highgate house. Granite island, walnut cabinetry, integrated appliances, Belfast sink, full rewire.
Decoration · E15
Stratford Bedroom Refresh
Strip and skim, full plastering, hand-hung designer wallpaper, new sockets, sanded and sealed pine boards.
Bespoke joinery · E11
Leytonstone Fitted Living Room
Bespoke media wall in dark walnut with frosted glass cabinetry, recessed downlights, hidden cable runs, fitted to the millimetre.
Extension · E17
Walthamstow Extension Roof
Replacement pitched roof over an existing rear extension in Walthamstow. The project gallery shows the roof structure, insulation and slate covering.
See more projects
→
these are just samples. many, many more in our portfolio.
Accreditations
The trade bodies we answer to.
Federation of Master Builders
Member of the Federation of Master Builders since 2009. View our listing in the FMB directory.
NICEIC Approved
All electrical installations certified to BS 7671, signed off by an NICEIC approved contractor with annual on-site assessment.
Gas Safe Register
Required for all gas installations and removals. Our Gas Safe registration number is available on request.
Velux Certified
Trained and certified to install Velux roof glazing systems with full manufacturer warranty pass-through.
European Builders Confederation
Member of the European Builders Confederation, representing SME builders across Europe and engaging with EU and national construction policy.
Reviews
What our clients actually say.
Real reviews from London homeowners who hired KRAMAN Ltd. Use the arrows or swipe to read more, or see all reviews on the reviews page.
I first met Alex in 2002 and he has worked on a number of my high-end, luxury homes and projects over the past 8 years. I have found him to be trustworthy, professional, resourceful and focused. His integrity and ability to strive for perfection sets him apart from other builders. Alex’s excellent building credentials and expertise is re-enforced by his unique ability to f…
After an extensive search of builders, I found Alex through the FMB website. Alex showed us his projects first hand and we were comforted by what we saw and the perfection in which he delivered his projects.Alex discussed our full house renovation with us, explained in detail the process, the unexpected issues and costs involved and was extremely thorough. One thing set him …
I bought a semi-detached house in 2011, which needed some changes. Alex was my builder and he gave very valid recommendations on which things needed to be done and which were not needed, taking into account my budget and (sometimes unusual) ideas. The main works included loft and ceiling insulation, rebuilding of an extension, bathroom renovation, wall sound proofing and a b…
Alex was great! The way he did the whole project management as a matter of course, no hassle for me at all, and everything as promised in time – I don’t think I could have wished for a better builder and project manager. This was extremely important, as I refurbished by whole flat from top to bottom. In hindsight, I can only more admire his time management – most peopl…
We hired Alex Anokhin (Kraman Ltd) to renovate an apartment we recently bought. We could not be happier with the results. Alex’s attention to detail and craftsmanship are superb. He does all his work with a level of care rarely found in builders. We highly recommend him and will be using him again in the future.
We had a leaking extension roof replaced and the quality of the work was outstanding. We didn’t have to wait very long and also the company didn’t exceed the originally agreed budget. If we needed any work done on the house we would always call Kraman company. They are efficient and very professional.
We contracted Kraman Ltd to divide and convert a bedroom to a shower room and dressing room and also to extensively soundproof an outbuilding. Both jobs were far from straightforward and quite a few extras arose along the way. Alex and his crew carried out all of the work to a very high standard and we are very happy with the result. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him.
Alex turned up to review the work on time, was polite and knowledgeable and inspired some confidence as to his competence and ability. Likewise with the work he ultimately did. All top notch and either at or above my expectations. Quite simply a pleasure to do business with and I am holding onto his business card!
We used Kraman Ltd to do a total refit of our kitchen and downstairs loo. We are very happy with all of Alex’s work for us. He and his assistant were extremely reliable, always arrived on time, carried out the work in the timescale agreed and cleaned up afterwards. Alex is very honest and easy to communicate with. We would happily recommend him to others and would use his …
Alex Anokhin
Founder & Director, KRAMAN Ltd
About
Building in London since 2006.
Kraman Ltd was founded in Leytonstone in 2006 by Alex Anokhin, a graduate of the Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University with two decades of UK site experience.
He still signs every KRAMAN contract.
- Honest quote Itemised, with provisional sums clearly marked. No hidden contingencies.
- One foreman The same face on site every day until practical completion.
- Tidy site Cleared every evening. Skip on the road only when it has to be.
- Two-year warranty Workmanship guarantee, on top of all manufacturer cover.
Frequently asked questions
Cost, planning, programme, insurance.
Common questions from London homeowners considering a refurbishment, extension or conversion. For the full guide on any one topic, follow the link in each answer.
How much does a loft conversion cost in London?
Every estimate is individual. The price depends on the type of conversion (rear dormer, L-shape mansard or hip-to-gable), the size of the loft, the structural work and the finish. We give a fixed quote after a free site visit. See the loft conversion guide for the types and what drives the cost.
Do I need planning permission for a house extension in London?
The route depends on the proposed design and the property. Some extensions qualify as permitted development; larger rear extensions may require prior approval. Conservation area restrictions and any listed building consent requirement need separate checks. See our house extension page.
What is a side-return extension?
A side-return extension fills in the narrow alley alongside the original rear addition that almost every London Victorian terrace has. The result is a wide kitchen-dining-living space, typically 25 to 40 square metres, opening onto the garden through full-width sliding doors. Most side-returns add 8 to 14 square metres. See the side-return guide for Victorian terraces.
How long does a basement conversion take in London?
The programme depends on the existing structure, excavation, access, waterproofing design and required approvals. We agree the stages and expected duration for the proposed work. See our basement conversion page for the work involved.
Are you insured?
Ask for our current public liability insurance documents and the cover applicable to your project. KRAMAN is a Federation of Master Builders member, an NICEIC approved contractor for electrical works and Gas Safe registered for gas and boiler works. Workmanship and structural warranty terms must be set out in the contract and any applicable policy.
What areas of London do you cover?
East London (Leytonstone, Leyton, Hackney, Walthamstow, Stratford, Wanstead, South Woodford), South East London (Brockley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Blackheath, Docklands), North London (Camden, Islington, Holloway, Wood Green, Highgate, Winchmore Hill) and Central London (Chelsea, South Kensington, Notting Hill, Holland Park, Battersea). Our office is at 35 Elsham Road E11.
How long does a whole-house refurbishment take?
The programme depends on the rooms involved, structural changes, required approvals and delivery of materials. We agree the stages and expected duration for the specific refurbishment before work begins.
Do you handle planning permission and party wall agreements?
We coordinate planning work with the project designer and party wall matters with a surveyor. Heritage consultants prepare and submit listed building consent applications. The required applications, responsibilities and fees are agreed for the project.
Start with a project like yours
Compare the location, scope and photographs in our project portfolio, from a Leytonstone house renovation, extension and loft conversion to a basement conversion and a kitchen refit in Leyton.
Choosing your building contractor · Preparing a project brief
We visit customers’ properties by arrangement; we do not receive visitors at our business address.
Contact
Tell us about your project.
The initial site visit is free. Tell us the property location and the work you are considering. We explain what information is needed for an estimate and agree when it can be prepared.