Top Kitchen, Bathroom & Home Renovation Companies in London (2026)

A legitimate UK business doing more than £90,000/year must be VAT registered. Being unregistered is not always a red flag for sole traders, but for a company quoting large projects, it warrants scrutiny.

You want at minimum £2M public liability insurance. Ask for the certificate — not just verbal confirmation.

Some renovation companies are primarily sales operations that subcontract all the actual work. Know exactly who will be on site and what their qualifications are.

The answer should be milestone-based — specific completed stages trigger each payment. Calendar-based payment schedules favour the company, not you.

Most renovation companies use some subcontractors for specialist trades (gas, electrics, plastering). The question is whether the company manages them directly and remains accountable for their work.

Every London Victorian property has surprises. How a company handles unexpected discoveries — price, process, communication — tells you everything about how the project will go.

A minimum of one year on labour is standard. Ask what the warranty covers and how claims are handled — in writing.

This is the most powerful question you can ask. A company confident in its work will provide references without hesitation.

Kitchen renovation costs in London range from £8,000 for a basic refresh (new units, worktops, and appliances) to £70,000+ for a fully bespoke high-end kitchen. A mid-range full kitchen renovation with quality fixtures and a structural redesign typically costs £15,000–£30,000. London prices run 20–40% above the UK national average due to higher labour rates, parking restrictions on deliveries, and logistics costs.

Bathroom renovation costs in London range from £4,000 for a basic suite replacement to £35,000+ for a luxury en-suite wet room. A mid-range bathroom renovation with quality tiles, a new suite, and updated plumbing typically costs £8,000–£18,000. In premium London postcodes (SW, W1, EC), expect to pay 25–35% above these figures for comparable work.

A full kitchen renovation in London takes 2–4 weeks for the build phase, plus 4–8 weeks for design, ordering, and delivery of units and appliances. Allow 8–14 weeks total from first consultation to completed kitchen for a mid-range project. Bespoke cabinetry, structural changes, or bespoke stone worktops can extend this to 16–24 weeks. Always get a written timeline and milestone plan from any company before you sign.

Most kitchen and bathroom renovations in London do not require planning permission, as they are internal works. However, Building Regulations approval is required for structural changes, new electrics (Part P), plumbing alterations, and gas work (Gas Safe). In conservation areas or listed buildings, additional Listed Building Consent may be required even for internal changes. Always confirm with your local London borough council before starting any structural work.

Verify a London renovation company by: checking their Gas Safe registration number on the official Gas Safe Register website (for any gas work); verifying NICEIC or NAPIT certification for electrical work; asking for proof of public liability insurance (minimum £2M for residential work); checking their Companies House registration; cross-referencing Google reviews with Checkatrade, Rated People, and MyBuilder; and calling at least two recent client references from London projects.

A reasonable deposit for a London renovation project is 10–25% of the total cost, paid to cover materials ordering. Never pay more than 30% upfront. Reputable renovation companies use milestone-based payment structures — you pay as each agreed stage is completed and inspected. Avoid any company that asks for 50%+ before work begins. Always pay by bank transfer, not cash, so you have a full payment trail if a dispute arises.

Both add significant value, but kitchens typically deliver higher returns in London. A well-executed kitchen renovation can add 5–10% to a property's market value. A quality bathroom renovation adds 3–5%. Return on investment depends heavily on the quality of finish relative to the property's price bracket — an overspecified kitchen in an entry-level flat adds proportionally less than a quality renovation in a mid-to-upper market London property.

In the UK market, renovation typically means restoring or refreshing an existing space — new fixtures, surfaces, and finishes without changing the layout. Remodelling (or remodeling in American English, where the term is more common) means structural changes: moving walls, changing the room's layout, or altering the footprint. Both terms are used interchangeably by London contractors, though renovation is restorative and remodelling is transformative. If your London company uses either term, ask specifically whether structural changes are included in the scope.