Period property
Listed buildings,
handled with care.
Much of Islington and Clerkenwell is listed or within a conservation area. We plumb these homes the way they deserve - sympathetically, reversibly, and with consent navigated properly.
Listed-building consent exists to protect what makes a building special. Carrying out works that need consent without it is a criminal offence - and unlike ordinary planning breaches, it never becomes immune with time.
That sounds daunting. In practice, sensible plumbing work in a listed home is entirely possible - it just needs a contractor who understands where the lines are. We've spent forty years working in exactly these streets, and we'd rather have the conversation about consent early than discover a problem halfway through.
Consent isn't always needed
Upgrading plumbing in a listed building often needs no consent - provided historic fabric isn't damaged or obscured. We assess this honestly rather than over-cautiously.
Cutting fabric triggers consent
Chasing pipework into original plaster, stone or beams, or altering anything externally visible, usually needs listed-building consent. We flag it before work starts.
Reversible interventions
We fit services so they can be removed later without harming the building, keeping pipe runs accessible - the principle conservation officers look for.
Facade-visible work
Front soil stacks, hoppers and downpipes on a listed terrace or in a conservation area are scrutinised. Cast-iron-look or painted replacements preserve the appearance.
Good to know
Conservation officers are generally supportive of work that maintains a building's character, and most councils offer free pre-application advice. Where a project calls for it, we'll help you take that route before committing to anything.
Got a listed home in Islington?
Book a site visit for planned work, or call straight through for a 24-hour emergency. Forty years on Goswell Road - the same family, the same answer when you call.
Tell us about your property
Booking a site visit, chasing a quote or dealing with an emergency - reach us however suits. We cover Islington, Clerkenwell and across North London.