What makes Georgian different
Georgian townhouses (1714–1830 in London) are distinguished by: tall, narrow plan with 4–6 storeys including basement and attic; symmetrical front facade with regular sash windows in proportional bay rhythm; stucco-rendered or stock-brick external; high-ceilinged ground-floor reception rooms (3.3–4.2m) with elaborate plasterwork; refined fireplaces (marble or carved stone); original sash windows with crown glass and glazing bar profiles. Most Georgian terraces in central London (Mayfair W1, Belgravia SW1, Knightsbridge SW7, Notting Hill W11, Marylebone W1, Bloomsbury WC1, Chelsea SW3) are Grade II listed; many in conservation areas with additional restrictions. Renovation must reconcile preservation of original features with installation of modern services — this is a specialist heritage building skill. Builderr's heritage division handles 12–18 Georgian renovations per year in central London.
Listed Building Consent and conservation
Listed Building Consent (LBC) is required for any change to a listed Georgian terrace — internal or external. Pre-application consultation with the borough's conservation officer £450–£900; preparation of heritage statement, photographic survey, existing and proposed drawings, schedule of works £4,500–£12,500 by specialist heritage architect; LBC application submission (no fee); statutory 8-week decision (typically 10–14 weeks in busy boroughs). LBC decisions on Georgian terraces in central London are scrutiny-intensive: conservation officer reviews proposed changes against historic significance; common amendments at decision stage include reverting modern interior details to period-correct alternatives. LBC refused = appeal to Planning Inspectorate £3,500–£12,500 + 6-month timeline. Typical timeline allowance: 6 months from instruction to grant of consent before any site work begins. Critical: never start work without LBC — works without LBC is criminal offence (Section 9, Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990); penalties up to £20,000 / 2 years imprisonment.
Sash windows, plasterwork and fireplaces
Three feature categories define Georgian renovation quality. Sash windows: original Georgian sash windows (typically 4-over-4, 6-over-6 or 9-over-9 pane configurations) are critical; replacement with modern uPVC sashes is universally refused under LBC; like-for-like restoration with original glazing bar profile in timber is the standard approved spec. Restoration £2,200–£6,500 per window. Slim DG retrofit (Slimlite, Histoglass) £1,200–£2,500 per window — increasingly approved on Grade II Georgian, rarely on Grade I. Secondary glazing (Selectaglaze) £450–£900 per window — easiest LBC approval. Plasterwork: original Georgian cornices, ceiling roses, dado and picture rails are critical character features. Restoration by specialist plasterer (Hayles & Howe, Stevensons of Norwich, Locker & Riley) — survey and casting from existing intact lengths, restoration £180–£450 per linear metre of cornice; ceiling roses £450–£1,500 each. Fireplaces: original Georgian fireplaces (marble, stone, slate, cast-iron grates) are major resale features. Restoration by specialist (Westland London, LASSCO) £1,500–£8,500 per fireplace; reclaimed period replacements £2,500–£12,500. Re-instatement of working fireplaces (linings, flues, registers) £2,500–£6,500 including building regulations approval.
Discreet modern services in Georgian properties
Integrating heating, electrical, plumbing and ventilation into Georgian townhouses requires specialist routing. Heating: traditional cast-iron column radiators (replicating period appearance) £450–£1,200 per radiator × 18–25 radiators in a typical 5-storey townhouse; underfloor heating cannot be retrofitted without significant disruption to lath-and-plaster ceilings — usually only specified in basement and bathroom conversions. Electrical: chase cables in internal partition walls (not external walls — risk of damaging historic plaster); cable concealed in skirting and dado-rail boxing; surface trunking is prohibited in habitable rooms. Service routes typically through existing chimneys, partition walls, and floor voids — careful coordination with structural and conservation requirements. Plumbing: typical Georgian terrace has very limited bathroom provision — adding modern en-suites and family bathrooms requires new soil-stack routes; permission and Building Regulations approval needed. Ventilation: mechanical extract ventilation routes via concealed builder's-work boxing or via dedicated extract risers in cupboards. Builderr's heritage division typically allocates 8–14 weeks of design and specification time before site work begins.
