TB&D Journal
Guides, costs
and straight answers.
What a London renovation actually costs. When you need planning permission. How to vet a builder properly. The questions you should be asking — and the answers most of the trade would rather you didn’t know.
Bathroom renovation costs in London, 2026
What a proper bathroom refit actually costs in London in 2026 — by scope, by finish level, and the hidden costs nobody quotes for upfront.
Kitchen renovation costs in London, 2026
What a proper London kitchen actually costs in 2026 — by spec, by layout, by cabinetry type — and the costs most quotes quietly leave out.
Loft conversion costs in London, 2026
Dormer, mansard, hip-to-gable, Velux — what each type of London loft conversion actually costs in 2026, plus the hidden costs and planning traps.
Kitchen extensions in London — do you need planning permission?
A plain-English guide to permitted development, prior approval, and full planning applications for kitchen extensions in London — with the common traps.
Renovating a Victorian house in London — the full guide
Lead pipes, lath-and-plaster, bomb damage, rising damp, wet rot, dead electrics. A survival guide to renovating a Victorian or Edwardian London property in 2026.
Engineered oak vs solid wood vs LVT — which floor should you actually choose?
A plain-English comparison of engineered oak, solid wood, LVT and laminate for London homes. What lasts, what doesn't, and what you'll regret in three years.
When should you replace your boiler? A London homeowner's guide
Repair or replace? The honest signs your boiler is done, what a new one costs in London 2026, and how to avoid the hard-sell from door-knockers.
Wet room vs walk-in shower — which is right for your London bathroom?
Cost, practicality, resale, and the plumbing realities. When a wet room is the right call in a London home, and when a walk-in shower beats it.
How to choose a London builder (without getting burned)
The questions to ask, the paperwork to demand, and the red flags to walk away from when hiring a builder in London.
The Party Wall Act — what London homeowners actually need to know
When you need a party wall notice, what it costs, what happens if you skip it, and how to handle the neighbour conversation. Plain English — no legal waffle.
Bespoke, fitted, or flat-pack wardrobes — what's actually worth it?
Hammonds vs IKEA vs a proper bespoke joiner. What each option costs, where they shine, and where they fall apart in London homes.