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A modern approach to period properties in London and the Cotswolds

We have been sympathetically modernising period properties throughout the Cotswolds for over 35 years. As a family business, we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and word of mouth referrals. We have built our reputation as experts in period property restoration and renovation thanks to the dedicated team of in-house specialists that we work with.

A basement conversion in Cheltenham

How we work

Every client is assigned a project manager at the start of the process. Your project manager will be your main point of contact and will keep you fully involved and informed of progress at every stage of the build, working with you to ensure your project runs smoothly.

We like to operate a clean and tidy site and employ staff who share our values. We always work to fixed price JCT contracts and offer a full ten-year insurance backed guarantee on all of our restoration and renovation work.

Exterior shot of highgate basement conversion

Experience and expertise

Why choose us

We have been leading the way in period property renovation in London and the Cotswolds for over 35 years. By combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, we bring modern-day living to period homes and transform historic buildings into new business ventures.

Enjoy complete peace of mind with our ten-year protection policy as standard

Our commitment to deliver your project on schedule and on budget

We bring modern-day living to period homes and transform historic buildings into new business ventures.

We assign a dedicated project manager to keep your build running smoothly

We work courteously and compliantly with neighbouring property-owners

Being a close-knit team means we can keep all our work in-house

Honesty, loyalty and trust are what define our business values

Clients have confidence in our knowledge, expertise and word of mouth referrals

We like to keep things tidy – no mud, dust or debris lying around

Our CEO, Peter Little, personally meets each client and oversees each project

We are approved contractors for:

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What our customers think

I found The Property Conservation Company through an online search. I was searching for emergency roof repairs and their expertise in roof repairs stood out. On site, they quickly identified the issues, brought in engineers to confirm findings, and provided a prioritised breakdown of works – offering options to rectify the problems based on budget, which allowed us to plan effectively. They also innovated a strategy for the emergency works that avoided the need for scaffolding, saving us a significant amount of money. Despite working through bad weather, they were upfront about any delays and still completed the repairs on time and within budget. Communication was fantastic throughout. Peter, who oversaw the project, was diligent, professional, and considerate. The team was polite, tidy, and efficient, acting quickly upon appointment. The workmanship was excellent, and I have no hesitation in recommending them. In fact, I’m already putting their name forward for the next phase of repairs.

– Harriet Oxley

Peter has project managed our £1.8 million refurbishment from the start to the end and was on site every day managing his workforce. With Peter’s availability, any issues were dealt with immediately and with professionalism. As a business we would not hesitate to use The Property Conservation Company for future projects.

– Andrew Mooney, Rapid Racking

I have worked with The Property Conservation Company for well over 10 years. Peter has undertaken significant refurbishment projects of existing office and industrial premises as well as constructing extensions when required. Peter and his team operate a very hands-on, can-do approach and I am delighted to be able to work with him to provide quality commercial accommodation for a number of different organisations.

– James Gregory, Partner at Alder King Property Consultants

Pete and his team did a stellar job on our victorian house renovation in London Stoke Newington with a tight budget. Delivered on time, within budget and no compromise on the quality of work, thanks to a handpicked team of experienced craftsmen. Thanks

– Christian and Rose

Peter Little project managed from start to finish, and the staff were extremely polite and courteous throughout, keeping the site clean and tidy, with minimal disruption. We’re delighted with our new investment property, and is already fully let!

– Mrs J Beresford

The property conservation company did a fantastic work on me and my wife’s Grade II listed house in Canonbury. Peter, James and team did a meaningful overhaul of the outside of the house, including a new roof, pointing, windows and a French balcony. Throughout the process Peter and James were timely, reliable, professional, within budget and most importantly very thorough and detailed with every element of the renovation, always bearing in mind the Grade II nature of the house. I would recommend using Peter and James without any reservation, and plan on using the team for more work inside the house.

– Mr Persson

We used The Property Conservation Company for a major refurbishment at Wellington House and a smaller unit on the same site. Total cost of works was in excess of £400k, taking around 6 months. Peter project-managed the entire programme, which was quite complex because at the same time, we were moving three locations nationally into two locations at Kemble Enterprise Park, whilst changing part of Wellington House from office to light industrial, so it was hard to foresee at the start of works what our final needs would be by the end of the works. We also needed to do lots of value-engineering during the process to meet budgets which Peter took in his stride. Peter gave good advice throughout the programme and suggested alternative ways of doing things where appropriate. Peter employed high quality tradespeople and works have been completed to a high standard. I would have no hesitation recommending The Property Conservation Company as a result.

– Gwyn Hicks, Director, Hardware.com

Peter and the team carried out extensive structural alterations to our grade one listed building in Shoreditch, London. Overall we were very pleased with the level of their work in respect of the quality of the finishes as well as the level of communication between ourselves and James’ team.

– Phil Carlin (Seven Capital PLC)

Great job from a great team. The build went like clockwork and we’ve now got an amazing new space to enjoy!

– Emma Mercer

Peter’s approach to our new build project was professional and efficient from start to finish. He was always available to address any concerns, and his hands-on management style ensured that every aspect of the build was executed perfectly. We are thrilled with the outcome and have already recommended The Property Conservation Company to several friends.

– Richard and Emily Hargreaves

From the moment we met Peter, we knew our home was in good hands. The restoration of our Georgian townhouse was no small feat, but Peter managed every step with expertise and precision. His attention to detail and commitment to quality are unparalleled. The end result is a beautifully restored property that retains all of its historic charm.

– Michael and Sarah Blakewell

Peter and his team completed a large-scale renovation of our modern residence, and the craftsmanship was second to none. His availability and hands-on approach throughout the project gave us great peace of mind. The entire process felt seamless, from the initial design phase to the final finishing touches. We couldn’t be happier with the result.

– Victoria Turner

We entrusted Peter and his team with the restoration of our Grade II listed property, and the results were exceptional. His deep knowledge of period homes, combined with his personal involvement, ensured that even the smallest details were handled with care. We’ve worked with many contractors over the years, but none as reliable and attentive as The Property Conservation Company. Highly recommended.

– Eleanor and Charles Redford

FAQs

Have a question? We are here to help!

Building regulations apply to all basement construction. This covers areas such as fire escape routes, ventilation, ceiling height, damp proofing, electrical wiring and water supplies. Underpinning and foundation work may also be needed. You must also consider the Party Wall Act 1996 if other properties adjoin yours and you share walls.
Planning regulations covering the creation of living space in basements is evolving and under review and can vary from county to county and from borough to borough in London. Converting an existing residential cellar or basement into a living space or excavating below the footprint of the original house is, in most cases, unlikely to require planning permission. However, excavating to create a new basement which involves major works, a new separate unit of accommodation and/or alters the external appearance of the house, such as adding a light well, is likely to require planning permission. If you live in a listed building you are likely to need consent for internal or external work. In all circumstances you are advised to contact your local planning authority for guidance on local policy before starting any work. At Cool Basements we have a dedicated team of architects and planning consultants who will advise and take care of planning requirements on your behalf.
Our aim is to give our customers complete peace of mind so we go above and beyond the usual guarantees. We work to strict JCT building contracts, set out by the joint Contracts Tribunal, which means we ensure every element of the build is accounted for and completed on schedule. In addition, we can offer a full ten-year insurance backed guarantee on all our basement constructions, which covers labour and materials. We use state-of-the-art tanking systems that come with a ten-year warranty and we offer a one-year warranty on minor defects such as cracking.
Adding a basement to your property can bring fantastic benefits. We can help you to explore the options so you get the most out of your new living space. The first step is to get in touch. We will then arrange a free site survey and initial consultation to understand more about your requirements. Every client is assigned with a dedicated project manager who will manage your build from the design stage through the planning process to the final construction and fit out. Read more about our simple seven-step process and take a look at our basement ideas for inspiration.