What restoration of a listed building involves
Listed building consent must be in place before any work that affects the character of the property. We handle the application alongside the heritage consultant and conservation officer. Common restoration scope includes: original sash window restoration (rather than replacement), lime plaster repair and replastering, repointing in lime mortar (never modern Portland mix), period cornicing and ceiling rose restoration, original floorboard reinstatement, fireplace restoration, period door and architrave repair, repaint to historic colour palettes (Farrow and Ball, Little Greene archive ranges).
Materials and techniques
Lime plaster is breathable and forgiving in old buildings where modern gypsum cracks. We work with London suppliers (Limewashed, Old House Store) and use both haired lime for first coats and finish lime for top coats. Lime mortar repointing requires the original joint to be raked back to twice the joint width and re-pointed in a 1:2:9 lime:cement:sand mix (or 0:1:3 NHL hydraulic lime where conservation officer specifies). Sash window restoration involves removing weights and pulleys, repairing rotten cills and sashes, draught-stripping with brush seals, refitting weights matched to new pulley wheels, and full repaint.
Conservation areas across London
Most central London boroughs (Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, Islington) have extensive conservation areas with stricter material and design controls than the listing alone. We have worked extensively in: Notting Hill conservation area (Pembridge, Ladbroke), Holland Park conservation area, Chelsea conservation area, Highgate Village, Hampstead, Camden conservation area (Primrose Hill, Camden Square), Islington (Barnsbury, Canonbury). For East London, parts of Hackney and Walthamstow are also subject to conservation controls.
Typical scope and budget
Light restoration (sash window restoration plus repaint, lime plaster patching) for a Grade II terraced house typically runs from £40,000 to £120,000. Full restoration of a Grade II house (including cornicing, joinery, lime plaster throughout, repointing) runs from £180,000 to £600,000. Grade I property is typically priced per square metre once the listing description and historic environment record are reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
Can KRAMAN obtain listed building consent on my behalf?
We work with heritage consultants who prepare and submit the application. We do not submit listed building consent ourselves but we coordinate with whoever does and attend conservation officer site visits.
Can I install double-glazing in a listed sash window?
Listed building consent for replacement is rarely granted. Slim-profile vacuum double-glazing (Slimlite, FineO) can sometimes be inserted into restored sashes with consent. Secondary glazing is almost always permitted.
How long does a full restoration take?
A typical Grade II terraced house full restoration runs 22 to 40 weeks. Lime plaster takes longer to cure than modern materials so the programme accommodates 4 to 6 weeks of cure time before final decoration.
Related projects
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