Blog
Cost guides, planning explainers and project walkthroughs.
Practical, no-spin articles written for UK homeowners thinking about extensions, loft conversions or whole-house refurbishments.
Projects
Loft Conversion vs Extension: Which Adds More Value?
Loft conversion or extension? It is the most common question UK homeowners ask. Here is a head-to-head comparison on cost, value, disruption and practicality to help you decide.
Projects
How to Add Value to Your Home: Top 10 Improvements for 2026
Some home improvements deliver three times their cost in added value. Others barely break even. Here are the top 10 value-adding projects for UK homeowners in 2026, ranked by return on investment.
Planning
Permitted Development Rights 2026: What You Can Build Without Planning Permission
Permitted development rights let UK homeowners extend, convert and alter their homes without a full planning application. Here is exactly what you can and cannot do in 2026.
Projects
Adding Value to Your Property: The Best Home Improvements in 2026
Not all home improvements are equal when it comes to adding value. Here is what the data says about which projects deliver the best return on investment in London and the South-East in 2026.
Hiring
First-Time Renovator? Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Renovating for the first time is exciting and terrifying in equal measure. This guide walks you through every step from budget-setting to snagging so you know exactly what to expect.
Planning
How Long Does a House Extension Take? Realistic Timelines
From first phone call to moving back in, a house extension takes 6-12 months. Here is where that time actually goes and what you can do to keep things on track.
Planning
Building Regulations for Loft Conversions: Complete Guide
Every loft conversion in England and Wales must comply with Building Regulations. Here is what each Part requires, the common failures that trip projects up, and how to get it right first time.
Planning
Party Wall Agreements Explained: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
The Party Wall Act affects most UK extension and loft conversion projects, yet it remains one of the least understood parts of the process. Here is what you actually need to know.
Cost Guide
Is a Garage Conversion Worth It? Costs & ROI
A single garage conversion in 2026 costs GBP 15,000-GBP 30,000 and can add up to 15% to your property value. Here is how the numbers stack up and what you need to know before starting.
Projects
Kitchen Extension Ideas: Open Plan Living Guide
An open-plan kitchen extension is the most requested project we deliver. Here is how to design one that actually works - from structural steel to island layouts to heating strategies.
Cost Guide
How Much Does a Rear Extension Cost in London 2026?
A single-storey rear extension in London in 2026 typically costs GBP 42,000-GBP 100,000+ depending on size and specification. Here is a full breakdown of what the numbers actually look like.
Projects
Loft Conversion Types Explained: Dormer, Mansard, Hip-to-Gable & Velux
Not all loft conversions are the same. From a simple Velux to a full mansard rebuild, each type suits different properties, budgets and ambitions. Here is what you need to know.
Planning
10 Things to Know Before Starting a Home Extension
Before you break ground on a home extension, there are critical decisions that will shape your budget, timeline and sanity. Here are the ten things we wish every client knew on day one.
Projects
Before and after - recent RCB Design & Build projects
A walkthrough of recently completed RCB projects - what we found, what we built, and the lessons that fed into the next project.
Hiring
How to hire a builder in 2026 - the proper checklist
Hiring the wrong builder is the most expensive mistake in any construction project. This is the checklist we tell our own friends and family to use.
Planning
Planning permission for house extensions: 2026 guide
Many UK house extensions are still possible under permitted development in 2026, but the rules have tightened in conservation areas and Article 4 zones. Here is what you actually need to know.
Cost Guide
How much does a loft conversion cost in London and Kent in 2026?
Loft conversions in London and Kent in 2026 typically run from GBP 45,000 for a simple Velux conversion to GBP 120,000+ for a full mansard. Here is what the numbers actually look like.