How London's architecture firms are adapting to the capital's housing crisis - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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How London's architecture firms are adapting to the capital's housing crisis - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
"We're seeing clients who five years ago would have moved house now investing £80,000 to £150,000 in extending their current property," explains a partner at the practice. "The math makes sense. Stamp duty alone on a £700,000 property is £25,000. Add moving costs, and you're at £35,000 before you've considered the price difference. A well-designed rear extension suddenly looks like a smart business decision."
"London's architecture sector is experiencing a shift that goes beyond design trends. AC Design Solution, a multidisciplinary practice operating across architecture, structural engineering, and party wall surveying, has seen project enquiries jump 40% year-on-year as homeowners look to maximise existing properties rather than face London's brutal housing market. The numbers tell the story. Average house prices in London now sit at £536,000 according to the latest ONS data, with many boroughs pushing well past £700,000."
AC Design Solution, a multidisciplinary firm covering architecture, structural engineering and party wall surveying, has seen a 40% year‑on‑year rise in project enquiries as homeowners choose to improve rather than move. Average London house prices are £536,000, with many boroughs above £700,000, making upward moves unaffordable for many. Homeowners are investing £80,000–£150,000 in extensions, loft and basement conversions, seeing these works as financially preferable to stamp duty and moving costs. The practice has completed over 10,000 projects and observes regional patterns: South London favors loft conversions; North London shifts toward rear and basement works due to conservation controls.
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