Why staying put and creating your dream home has become the hottest trend in London property

BY GARRICK WEBSTER

With the holidays, the election and everything else 2019 entailed now well behind us, 2020 is here and we can look ahead to a brand new year and a prosperous new decade. For many, thoughts about moving home may be bubbling up, but with the housing market still feeling a little uncertain staying put and renovating looks like it could be the biggest property trend in the years ahead.

Improving instead of moving can be the ideal solution no matter what your circumstances. Relocating takes time and, with house prices remaining astronomical in many parts of London, it costs a lot of money. Stamp duty, solicitors’ fees, estate agent fees, mortgage fees, removal costs… they all add up. Often, moving just isn’t worth the hassle and expense – particularly if you’re able to make more of your current home. There are all sorts of ways to do this such as an extension, a loft conversion or by reconfiguring and/or renovating your existing space.

Steve James Corbyn is the founder and managing director of Sentinel Design and Build, a leading building services firm in Blackheath and Greenwich. With five ambitious renovation projects already underway in 2020, and four more on the cards, Sentinel is right at the heart of the improve-don’t-move trend that’s happening across the borough.

Better lifestyle

“We’re helping our clients unlock the potential of their properties via extensions, return side extensions and improved use of existing floorplans for a better lifestyle,” explains Steve. “Blackheath and Greenwich are full of lovely period properties, but often our customers want more up-to-date layouts. We can create wonderful open-plan living spaces that bridge the traditional and the modern. By knocking through the walls between the kitchen and dining room, dining room and living room, or all three, you can open up the internal space and allow light to flood through the property.”

That natural flow of light, atmosphere and energy frequently continues out into the back garden, with many homeowners now opting for slim frame aluminium sliding doors to help create a smooth transition between their indoor and outdoor spaces. Their excitement about the potential of their properties feels almost tangible at times, but Sentinel’s work leads to plenty of practical benefits for customers as well. Reconfiguring a room can result in a better use of space, and sometimes swapping the position of rooms within a dwelling enables a better flow, easier accessibility and extra floorspace. 

Sound financial decision

More rooms and more floorspace won’t just make life easier, they’ll add a percentage to the value of your property. With London property prices what they are, improve-don’t-move makes good financial sense. “Looking at what our customers have achieved and at figures online, adding an extra bedroom via a loft conversion offers the best potential investment and could add around 15 to 25 per cent to the value of your home,” says Steve.

“Adding square footage via a single storey extension to the kitchen/dining area is virtually guaranteed to add value as well – maybe around 11 per cent – and often doesn’t require planning permission,” he continues. “An extra double bedroom will bring around 10 per cent, and a new kitchen or a new bathroom usually adds around 5 per cent.”

Perfect solution

Finding additional space via an extension or a loft conversion can be the obvious solution for new families needing extra rooms for little ones. However, with house prices outstripping salaries by such a big margin these days, it’s becoming the answer for families with adult children as well. The old idea of the granny flat is being repurposed as a way of helping the next generation. “Sometimes we’re called on to help create semi-independent spaces for older children, who may find it difficult to move out because of high rents and expensive mortgages,” says Steve.

Meanwhile, for some young professionals the best way to grasp their first rung on the property ladder is to buy a cheaper property and then maximise its potential. For example, the Plumstead area is regarded as one of the last remaining affordable areas in London. With the help of companies like Sentinel, young professionals and families can turn a place that needs some TLC into their dream home.

Full service

While moving home is rated as one of the most stressful events in our lives, lots of people are equally fearful of having major works done. Co-ordinating architects, builders, plumbers, electricians, plasterers and decorators is the perfect idea of a nightmare for many of us. That’s why it’s a good idea to work with a design and build specialist like Sentinel, who will take care of everything for you.

Sentinel’s turnkey service takes away so many potential headaches. Perhaps the number one benefit is that Steve personally manages every project the company takes on. He’s passionate about providing the kind of service that leaves customers smiling and loves the challenge of not just improving their properties but exceeding their expectations.

Instead of dealing with an array of different tradespeople, Steve is the single point of contact for his customers and will sequence all the works to ensure timely completion. He regularly checks the quality of work and takes care of all security and access issues on site.

“We have our own on-team architect and a full team of experienced tradespeople,” says Steve. “Our architect and I often draw on our experience to make suggestions about the use of space and layout that our customer had never thought of or didn’t think were beneficial. Even at the very beginning of a project, we try to start making their dreams come to life through excellent planning.”

The recommended choice

With a portfolio of stunning work, Sentinel Design and Build is one of the most sought-after contractors in South London. The company is the exclusive design and build partner in the London Borough of Greenwich for the website Mumstrusted.com, which lists trusted traders through recommendations from mums and families.

You can find out more about Sentinel Design and Build by visiting the company’s website at sentineldesignandbuild.co.uk, emailing contact@sentineldesignandbuild.co.uk or calling 0800 292 2128.