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New End Construction is based in North London and undertakes suitable residential and commercial projects across North, South, East and West London.

Whether we can take on a project depends on its location, scope, programme and access requirements. Contact us with the property address and a brief description of the proposed work, and we will confirm whether it falls within our working area.

The information required depends on the size and complexity of the project. For an extension, loft conversion or structural refurbishment, we will normally need:

• Architectural or measured drawings

• Structural drawings and calculations, where applicable

• A written specification or schedule of work

• Planning and building-control information

• Details of the required finishes

• The property address

• Your preferred timescale

• Information about access, parking and occupation of the property

We can discuss the project at an earlier stage, but a detailed and reliable quotation normally requires a sufficiently developed design and clearly defined scope.

Yes. We can arrange architectural design and structural engineering services as part of your project, including the drawings and calculations needed for the agreed scope.

If you already have an architect or structural engineer, we are equally happy to work with your appointed professionals.

We will explain how the professional services are appointed, what is included and how the fees are charged. These services are priced separately unless expressly included in your quotation.

Yes. NEC can quote for an extension and the associated internal refurbishment as one coordinated construction project.

The work may include structural alterations, plumbing and electrical upgrades, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, decoration and bespoke joinery. The complete scope must be reviewed before we can confirm the programme and price.

Ideally, contact us once you have initial drawings or a reasonably clear project brief.

Early contractor input can help identify access, construction, sequencing and specification issues before the design is finalised. However, a detailed quotation usually requires developed drawings, structural information and a sufficiently clear schedule of work.

Your project will have a named NEC contact responsible for overseeing the agreed construction work and keeping communication organised. Before construction begins, we will explain who your principal contact will be, how site queries should be raised and who is responsible for key decisions, selections and approvals.

The communication arrangements will be agreed before construction begins. Updates may include site meetings, telephone calls, emails, photographs and written messages, depending on the project.

Important instructions, design changes, additional costs and programme decisions should be confirmed in writing so that there is a clear record for both parties.

This depends on the nature, scale and sequence of the work.

Remaining in the property may be possible during limited works, but it can be impractical during a complete renovation or where essential services, kitchens, bathrooms or access routes are affected. Occupation can also influence safety, working hours and the project programme.

We will discuss the practical implications before work begins so that suitable arrangements can be made.

Depending on the project, we can coordinate the principal building trades needed for extensions, loft conversions and refurbishments, with bespoke joinery through our sister company, Albeno.

We can also arrange architectural design and structural engineering services and recommend party-wall surveyors and other specialists. Your quotation will explain which services are included and which require separate appointments.

Yes. New End Construction is fully insured, and we can provide current insurance certificates on request. If your project has particular insurance requirements, please raise these before work begins so the relevant arrangements can be checked.

Yes. We can show you examples of previous work relevant to your project and, with their permission, arrange for you to speak to previous clients. This gives you an opportunity to hear about their experience and ask questions about the construction process.

Our availability depends on the project scope, our existing commitments and whether the necessary drawings, permissions and party-wall arrangements are in place.

We aim to accommodate suitable projects within a few weeks once everything is ready, where our programme allows. We will discuss a realistic start date with you and confirm it as part of the agreed project arrangements.

Please contact us with the location and details of the work you have in mind. We assess enquiries according to their scope, access requirements and our availability, and can confirm whether the project is a suitable fit.

The cost depends on the property, size of the extension, structural work, access, specification, finishes and extent of the internal refurbishment.

Older buildings can also contain concealed conditions that are not visible before work begins. For this reason, general cost-per-square-metre figures are only an initial guide and should not be treated as a fixed quotation.

Once the design and scope are sufficiently developed, NEC can review the project information and prepare a project-specific quotation.

Our quotation will state clearly how VAT has been treated and whether the totals shown include or exclude VAT.

VAT treatment can depend on the type of work and property. Clients should refer to the VAT information shown in the project-specific quotation rather than assuming that every item is treated in the same way.

The quotation will describe the construction work included and identify known exclusions, client-supplied items, provisional allowances and areas that require further information.

Items such as professional fees, planning charges, building-control charges, party-wall services, utility-company costs, specialist surveys and client-selected finishes may be separate unless expressly included.

Please review the entire quotation and raise any questions before accepting it.

Payments are normally linked to an agreed project schedule or defined stages of work rather than being left until the end of the project.

The payment dates, amounts and relevant milestones will be set out in the accepted quotation, payment schedule or contract before construction begins. The precise arrangement depends on the size, duration and procurement requirements of the project.

A variation is work that changes the agreed scope, specification, design or construction requirements.

Where possible, the additional cost and any effect on the programme will be explained and approved in writing before the varied work proceeds. Some concealed or urgent site conditions may require an immediate decision to keep the property safe or prevent delay, but these circumstances will be communicated as soon as reasonably possible.

Written records help both the client and NEC understand what has changed and why.

Purchasing responsibilities are agreed for each project.

Some products may be supplied by NEC or Albeno, while others may be selected and purchased directly by the client. The quotation or procurement schedule should identify who is responsible for ordering each item, checking quantities, approving specifications and arranging delivery.

Client-supplied products must normally arrive on site by the required date and be suitable for the agreed design and installation.

Clients should keep a separate contingency for unforeseen work, design development and changes in specification.

The appropriate amount depends on the age and condition of the building and how much investigation has been completed before work begins. Older properties or projects involving extensive structural alteration may justify a larger contingency than straightforward work in a well-understood building.

The contingency is a client-held reserve and should not be treated as part of NEC’s quoted price unless an allowance is expressly included.

Yes. We use the RIBA Domestic Building Contract for our domestic building projects. The contract records the agreed scope, responsibilities, contract price, payment milestones and completion arrangements. It also sets out how changes, delays and defects will be handled.

Before work begins, we go through the contract and payment schedule with you so that you understand what is included and how the project will proceed.

Yes. Our initial site visits and quotations are free of charge. A site visit allows us to understand your plans, assess the property and discuss the proposed work.

Surveys, architectural design, structural engineering and other professional services are charged separately unless expressly included. Their scope and costs will be explained before you commission them.

In most cases, we do not require a deposit. Where an initial payment is needed, it will be clearly identified in your contract and shown as the first payment in the agreed payment schedule. You will know the amount, purpose and payment date before committing to the work.

Our quotations provide a fixed price for the defined work and specification, subject to the allowances, qualifications and exclusions stated. Optional items are listed separately so you can decide whether to include them before the contract is finalised.

Quotations are normally valid for 30–45 days from issue; the exact period will be stated in your quotation.

The agreed price may change if you request additional work, alter the design or specification, or if unforeseen conditions require work outside the original scope. Changes are dealt with under the contract, with cost and programme implications explained and agreed in writing wherever practicable before the additional work proceeds.

Yes. We can review the scope, specifications, finishes and construction approach to identify opportunities to reduce costs. This may involve alternative materials, simpler details or reviewing architectural and structural proposals with the relevant designers.

Any changes must remain suitable for the property and satisfy the applicable requirements. Our aim is to help you make informed choices about where to invest and where savings can be made.

Most extensions, loft conversions and significant structural alterations require building regulations approval, even where separate planning permission is not required.

Building regulations cover matters such as structural safety, fire safety, insulation, ventilation, drainage, stairs and electrical work. The appropriate building-control route should be confirmed before relevant construction begins.

A loft conversion normally requires building regulations approval. Depending on the property and proposed alterations, you may also need planning permission, listed building consent, party-wall notices or freeholder consent.

Some proposals fall within permitted development rights. A Lawful Development Certificate can provide formal confirmation that the proposed work is lawful for planning purposes.

Structural design will normally be needed. Protected species and trees may also require assessment or consent where relevant. The requirements should be checked for your property before work begins.

Some loft conversions and roof enlargements to houses can be completed under permitted development rights, provided the proposal meets the applicable limits and conditions. These include limits on additional roof volume—normally 40 cubic metres for terraced houses and 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses—together with restrictions relating to height, position, materials and certain windows.

Permitted development rights described for houses do not apply in the same way to flats or maisonettes and may be restricted for listed buildings, designated areas or properties affected by an Article 4 direction. Even when planning permission is not required, building regulations approval will normally be needed.

It is sensible to obtain property-specific advice and consider applying for a Lawful Development Certificate before work begins.

Permitted development is a type of planning permission that allows certain types of development to be carried out without the need to apply for planning permission from the local planning authority. In England, permitted development rights are set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.

There are a wide range of activities that are permitted development, including building a single-storey extension to the rear of a house and making changes to the internal layout of a house.

Permitted development rights are not absolute, and there are a number of conditions that must be met in order to qualify. For example, the size and location of any extension must be within certain limits, and there may be restrictions on the type of materials that can be used.

Permitted development rights apply differently to houses, flats and maisonettes and may have been removed or restricted by an Article 4 direction, a previous planning condition or the property’s listed status. A Lawful Development Certificate can provide formal confirmation that proposed work is lawful.

If you are considering carrying out any development that may fall within permitted development, it is important to check with your local planning authority to confirm whether your proposed works are permitted. You can do this by contacting your local planning department or by using the Planning Portal website.

You can read more about permitted development here.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply to work affecting a shared wall or structure, building on a boundary, or certain excavations near neighbouring buildings.

If the Act applies, the appropriate notices must be served before the relevant work begins. Whether surveyors and a party-wall award are needed depends on the work and the neighbouring owners’ responses.

Do not assume that a lack of response gives permission to proceed. A party-wall surveyor can advise on the requirements, notice periods and next steps for your project. Party-wall procedures are separate from planning permission and building regulations.

Building regulations approval is normally required when a loft is converted into liveable accommodation. The design may need to address structural strength, new floors and beams, staircase design, fire protection and escape, insulation, ventilation, sound insulation, glazing and electrical safety.

In a typical two-storey house, creating a new storey can require a protected escape route, suitable fire-resisting doors and mains-powered interlinked smoke alarms. The exact solution must be designed for the property and agreed with the relevant building-control body.

You can read more about building regulations here.

A house extension may require planning permission, prior approval or confirmation that it falls within permitted development rights. Most extensions also require building regulations approval.

Depending on the property and design, the project may additionally involve structural calculations, party-wall notices, drainage approval, Thames Water build-over consent, listed building consent or freeholder consent.

Requirements vary according to the property and proposal, so they should be confirmed before construction starts.

Before construction begins, the design, scope, quotation and contract information should be sufficiently clear.

The pre-construction stage may include:

• Reviewing drawings and specifications

• Confirming structural information

• Checking planning and building-control status

• Agreeing party-wall responsibilities

• Confirming the programme and payment schedule

• Allocating purchasing responsibilities

• Agreeing access, parking and working arrangements

• Recording the condition of retained areas

• Confirming communication and decision-making procedures

The exact requirements depend on the project.

The programme depends on the scope, structural complexity, access, specification, lead times and whether additional work is discovered after construction begins.

Once the design and scope are sufficiently developed, NEC can prepare a project-specific programme. Planning, structural design, party-wall procedures, approvals and procurement happen before or alongside construction and should be considered when planning the overall timescale.

The required protection depends on which parts of the property will remain occupied or retained.

Before work starts, we agree access routes and identify areas requiring protection. Measures may include floor coverings, dust barriers, temporary screens, protection to stairs and retained finishes, controlled storage areas and regular waste removal.

Construction work inevitably creates some dust, noise and disruption, but careful planning can help limit its effect on retained parts of the property.

Our team normally works Monday to Saturday, generally starting around 8am, with weekday working sometimes continuing until around 6pm.

Noisy activities are restricted to the hours permitted for the particular site, which may be shorter than our general working day, especially on Saturdays. We check applicable local restrictions and any relevant party-wall award conditions before agreeing the site arrangements.

We will explain the expected hours before construction begins and discuss particularly disruptive activities in advance.

We arrange the scaffolding and skips required for our agreed work, including skip licences where needed. Your quotation will identify the relevant costs and exclusions.

Parking is usually arranged by the property owner. Responsibility for other permissions and permits will be confirmed before work starts, including any that must be obtained by the owner or the relevant contractor. We can help identify what needs to be arranged.

Depending on the work, there may be temporary interruptions to water, electricity, heating or kitchen facilities. We plan these wherever possible and notify you in advance.

Where the main kitchen will be out of use, we can discuss a temporary kitchen. We have equipment available, including fridges, hobs, ovens and sinks, subject to availability and suitable space and connections. The setup and any associated costs will be agreed as part of the project arrangements.

We will advise when selections need to be made and when materials must be on site. Early decisions are particularly important for products with longer manufacturing or delivery times.

We coordinate procurement of items included in our contract, such as specified windows and doors. For client-supplied products, we explain the required specifications and delivery dates.

We can help with choices and ordering and, where available, supplier discounts. Late selections, changes or deliveries can affect the programme.

Before work begins, we can discuss practical arrangements for keeping neighbours informed about activities likely to affect them, such as major deliveries, scaffolding and noisy work. Agreeing a clear point of contact helps queries reach the right person.

Practical communication does not replace any formal notices, consents or access agreements required for the project.

If a delay arises, we will explain the cause, its likely effect and the options for adjusting the sequence of work. The programme will be reviewed as further information becomes available.

Any changes to completion dates or costs will be addressed under the contract. Timely client decisions, approvals and deliveries help reduce avoidable delays.

Common options include rooflight, dormer, hip-to-gable, mansard and L-shaped loft conversions. The most suitable option depends on the roof structure, available headroom, staircase position, property type and planning constraints.

• Rooflight: converts space largely within the existing roof shape, with roof windows.
• Dormer: extends out from the roof slope to create additional headroom and usable space.
• Hip-to-gable: replaces a sloping hip end with a vertical gable wall.
• Mansard: substantially reshapes the roof with a steep rear slope and a flatter upper roof.
• L-shaped: commonly combines dormers over the main roof and an existing rear outrigger.

A site assessment and drawings are needed to confirm which approach is suitable for your property.

The construction period depends on the type and complexity of the conversion, structural work, access, specification and whether other parts of the house are being refurbished at the same time.

We provide a project-specific programme once the drawings, structural information and scope are sufficiently developed. Planning, party-wall procedures, design work and procurement take place before the construction period and should also be included in the overall timeline.

Typical timelines vary between 12 and 16 weeks.

Yes. We can coordinate an extension and loft conversion within one construction programme. Some activities can run alongside each other, while others must follow a particular sequence.

Planning the work together helps coordinate structural alterations, scaffolding, deliveries and building services. For extensive projects, moving out temporarily may be the most practical option. Where remaining at home is feasible, we will discuss suitable access and essential facilities. We understand the cost of temporary accommodation in London and consider this when reviewing the options with you.

A site visit is the best starting point. We assess existing headroom, roof structure, possible staircase positions and the amount of useful space the conversion could provide.

Our experience with London property types often allows an early indication of what may be possible, but feasibility needs to be confirmed through measurements, design and structural assessment. The assessment must allow for the new floor, insulation and roof construction, rather than relying only on the existing loft height.

The staircase is considered early and shown on the architectural drawings. Its position must work with the existing layout, provide suitable access and be coordinated with the structural design.

Where we arrange architectural services, the designer will look for a practical position that preserves the flow of the house and limits unnecessary loss of space. The final arrangement depends on the property’s dimensions, headroom and applicable building requirements.

For loft conversions involving opening up the roof, we provide a scaffold-supported temporary roof, commonly known as a “tin hat”. This creates a protective covering over the working area, with associated sheeting or membrane used as appropriate to reduce exposure to rain and wind.

Temporary protection is planned alongside the roof works and checked during construction. It substantially reduces weather exposure, although severe weather may still affect site activities and the programme.

Where practical and consistent with the design, original features can be retained, repaired or incorporated into the completed renovation.

These may include fireplaces, cornices, mouldings, timber floors, doors, panelling and other architectural details. Their condition should be assessed before a final decision is made. Where retention is not practical, appropriate replacement or reproduction may be considered.

Listed buildings and some properties in conservation areas may require additional consent before historic fabric is altered.

Older buildings can contain defects that are not visible until floors, walls, ceilings or previous alterations are opened.

Examples may include damaged timber, inadequate earlier structural work, damp, deteriorated services or drainage problems. If a concealed issue is discovered, we will record it, explain its likely effect and discuss the available response.

Where possible, the cost and programme implications will be agreed in writing before additional remedial work proceeds. Specialist investigation or design may be required.

Energy performance can often be improved as part of a renovation, subject to the property’s construction and the applicable building regulations.

Possible measures include roof and wall insulation, improved glazing, draught reduction, heating upgrades, better controls and improved ventilation. The correct approach is particularly important in older buildings, where unsuitable materials or insufficient ventilation can create moisture problems.

The proposed measures should be considered as part of the overall design rather than selected in isolation.

Yes. Bespoke joinery from Albeno can be considered as part of the wider construction programme.

Early coordination allows dimensions, electrical positions, lighting, finishes, flooring and installation requirements to be planned before the relevant building work is completed. This can include kitchens, wardrobes, fitted furniture, doors, timber windows, panelling and made-to-measure storage.

The quotation and programme should identify whether the joinery is contracted and invoiced separately through Albeno.

Some complete renovations can be divided into phases, depending on the layout, services, structural work, budget and whether the property will remain occupied.

Phasing may make the project more manageable, but it can also increase the overall programme and create duplicated protection, access or preliminary costs. Some work—particularly structural alterations, heating, wiring and plumbing—is often more efficient when planned across the whole property.

We can review the proposed scope and discuss whether phased construction is practical.

As the project approaches completion, the work is inspected and outstanding items are recorded on a snagging list.

The relevant trades then address the agreed items. Completion arrangements may also include final inspections, demonstrations of installed equipment, removal of temporary protection and handover of available certificates and documents.

The contract or agreed project terms should define completion, the snagging process and any applicable defects arrangements.

The documents available depend on the work carried out and the professionals or registered installers involved.

They may include:

• Building-control completion documentation

• Electrical installation certificates

• Gas-related certificates

• Window or door compliance certificates

• Product and manufacturer warranties

• Roofing or waterproofing warranties

• Commissioning information

• Operating and maintenance instructions

The required handover documents should be identified during the project. Some certificates are issued by external professionals, building control or specialist installers rather than NEC directly.

We provide an initial defects period of at least three months after completion, with the exact arrangements set out in your contract.

If you notice an issue, contact us promptly with a description and, where useful, photographs. We will assess it and agree the appropriate action. Routine items can be collected for a follow-up visit towards the end of the period; urgent issues should be reported immediately.

We remain available afterwards to discuss further concerns and advise on next steps. The initial defects period does not replace the wider responsibilities set out in your contract.

The workmanship and defects arrangements applicable to your project will be set out in your contract. Products and specialist installations may also have separate manufacturer or installer warranties, with their own terms and maintenance requirements.

Please ask us to explain the cover included in your proposal before work begins. We will identify the relevant warranty documents for handover where applicable.

Raise any concern with your named NEC contact as soon as possible. Please explain the issue in writing and include photographs or relevant project details where helpful, so that it can be reviewed and the next steps discussed.

If you are unsure who to contact, email info@newendconstruction.co.uk and identify the property and project. Any formal dispute procedures are governed by the agreed contract.