London · SW7
Refurbishment & Design-Build Contractor in South Kensington
South Kensington is stucco terraces, mansion flats and garden squares around the museums and Imperial College, with restaurants and shops along Old Brompton Road and Brompton Road. Most of our work here is prime residential refurbishment and interiors.
We are a London-based design and build contractor, founded in 2016, with our office on Buckingham Palace Road. One team takes your project from survey, design and consents through construction to handover — with around 70% direct labour, ISO and CHAS accreditation, a 4.9★ Google rating and every project to date delivered on budget and ahead of programme.
- 2016 founded in London
- 4.9★ Google rating
- ~70% direct labour
- ISO · CHAS accredited
What we build in South Kensington
We only offer services in South Kensington that suit its buildings and market. These are the projects we are asked for most here:
Prime residential refurbishment
Prime residential refurbishments in South Kensington: whole-house and apartment refurbishments, structural alterations, extensions, M&E renewal, bespoke joinery and high-end finishes, managed discreetly with neighbours in mind.
High-end interior design
Interior design in South Kensington by our in-house team: space planning, joinery design, lighting, materials and finishes, carried through to delivery so the finished home matches the drawings.
Residential architecture & design
Residential design and architecture for South Kensington homes: measured surveys, design options, planning drawings and technical packages, coordinated with our construction team from day one.
Restaurant, bar & hotel fit-out
Restaurant, bar, café and hotel fit-outs in South Kensington: kitchens and extraction, bars, dining rooms, guest rooms, washrooms and back-of-house, planned around licensing, neighbours and your opening date.
Planning consultancy & permission
Planning consultancy for South Kensington: pre-application advice, planning and listed building consent applications to Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and the drawings and reports that go with them.
Planning, consents and site rules in South Kensington
Local authority: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Before any design is fixed we check the planning and ownership position for your address, because in South Kensington this decides what is possible and how long it takes:
- Most of South Kensington is within conservation areas, and many terraces are listed.
- The Royal Borough limits new basements to a single storey and restricts their extent under gardens.
- Mansion-block flats often need freeholder or managing-agent approval, plus careful protection of shared parts during works.
We prepare the drawings and statements, submit the applications and build the approval time into your programme — so construction starts on a date you can rely on.
Craftex projects near South Kensington
Planning a project in South Kensington? Send us the address and a few photos — we will tell you what is realistic, what consents you need and what it is likely to cost.
Talk to our teamWhat our projects actually cost
Most contractors avoid numbers. These are real Craftex projects — total value, size and time on site — so you can benchmark your budget. Your cost will depend on condition, specification, consents and access; we confirm it in a unit-by-unit cost plan.
| Project | Scope | Value | Size | Time on site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsoken House, Aldgate | Warehouse-to-office conversion, full M&E | £2.2M | 1,550 sq m | 7 months |
| Beaumont House, Kensington | Office refurbishment, open-plan + meeting rooms | £350K | 750 sq m | 3 weeks |
| Drake's, Savile Row | Flagship retail refit, live trading | £410K | 120 sq m | 12 weeks |
| Medusa, Knightsbridge | Turnkey spa & clinic, four floors | £460K | 180 sq m | 17 weeks |
| Banbury Warehouse | Fit-out inside a live warehouse | £380K | 148 sq m | 4 weeks |
How a South Kensington project runs with Craftex
- Site visit and brief. We survey the building, check services and access, and confirm planning, listing and landlord or estate constraints.
- Feasibility & Costing Study. Design options, consents route, a detailed unit-by-unit cost plan and a realistic programme.
- Design and consents. Our in-house team completes the design and manages applications and licences.
- Construction. One project manager runs every trade, with around 70% direct labour.
- Handover. Snag-free handover, documentation and aftercare.
Questions about building in South Kensington
Can you refurbish a flat in a South Kensington mansion block?
Yes. We obtain the freeholder's licence, protect the common parts and schedule noisy work around the building's rules.
Do you design as well as build?
Yes. Our in-house design team prepares layouts, specifications and visuals so one team is accountable from design to handover.
How much does a project in South Kensington cost?
It depends on scope, condition, specification and access, so we don't publish a price per square foot without seeing the building. As a reference, the table above shows what recent Craftex projects actually cost. Our Feasibility & Costing Study gives you a detailed, unit-by-unit cost plan before you commit.
How long will my South Kensington project take?
Programme depends on size, consents and whether the building stays occupied. Our projects have ranged from three weeks for a 750 sq m office refurbishment to seven months for a £2.2M conversion. We give a realistic programme with the cost plan, and every project we have delivered so far has finished ahead of programme.
Who handles consents with Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea?
We do. Our design and planning team prepares drawings, applications and method statements, and manages planning, listed building consent, building control and landlord or estate licences alongside the build programme.
Do you use subcontractors?
Around 70% of our labour is direct, and one Craftex project manager controls every trade. That gives you one accountable team, consistent quality and no gaps between designer and builder.
What is the minimum project size you take on?
We typically take on projects from around £100k, from single floors and units to whole buildings.
How do I start?
Send us the address, a short description and any drawings or photos. We arrange a site visit, then prepare a Feasibility & Costing Study with design options, consents, a cost plan and a programme for your South Kensington project.
Nearby areas we cover
Start your South Kensington project
Tell us about the building and what you want to achieve.
Get a free consultation info@craftex.co.ukand we will be in touch to discuss your project