General builders in London.
Loacally connects you with vetted London builders for extensions, loft conversions, whole-house refurbishments, and structural alterations. Building work is quoted, not fixed, so every builder offers a free, no-obligation site visit before any money changes hands, with live slot availability across all 33 London boroughs. No quote-chasing, no waiting weeks for callbacks. Tell us your postcode, choose your builder, and book the site visit at a time that works for you.
What people pay
What a general builder in London costs
A rough guide to common jobs, based on the prices London general builders list on Loacally. Every tradesperson sets their own prices, so treat these as indicative ranges, not a quote.
Quick answer
Building work in London is priced per project after a site visit, so the visit itself is free. As a guide, a single-storey rear extension runs from £2,500 to £3,200 per square metre, and a loft conversion lands between £45,000 and £75,000.
Loacally doesn’t set prices or take payment. You agree the price with your general builder and pay them directly.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Day rate (labourer or general builder, per day) | £180 to £320 |
| Single-storey rear extension (per square metre, fitted) | £2,500 to £3,200 |
| Loft conversion (dormer, including rooms and stairs) | £45,000 to £75,000 |
| Whole-house refurbishment (per square metre) | £1,200 to £2,500 |
Why Loacally
Every local, checked
We do the groundwork so you can choose with confidence, then get out of the way.
Real, local people
Every general builder signs up with a verified email and phone and tells us who they are, so you know you’re dealing with a genuine local.
Their own insurance
We ask every general builder to confirm they carry their own public liability cover when they join Loacally. It’s always worth checking the details with them directly before work begins.
Real reviews
Ratings come only from people who booked a visit through Loacally. No bought reviews, no fakes.
Other trades
Need something else in London?
The same trusted locals, across every trade we cover.
Good to know
General builders in London, answered
How quickly can I book a builder in London on Loacally?
You can book the free site visit itself in 60 seconds, often within the same week. Builders show live availability slots for the initial visit, then provide a written quote and a start date once they have seen the work. Because extensions and loft conversions are planned projects rather than emergencies, most reputable London builders have a lead time of a few weeks to a couple of months before they can start on site. Booking the survey early secures your place in their schedule.
Are Loacally builders qualified and vetted?
Building is not a licensed trade in the UK, so there is no single mandatory register the way Gas Safe covers gas work. We identity-verify every builder at sign-up and surface their accreditations on their profile, such as membership of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) or TrustMark, along with their public liability insurance details. For structural and notifiable work, the job must still pass building control sign-off, and you should ask your builder which structural warranty or insurance-backed guarantee they provide. Reading recent reviews from London homeowners is the strongest signal of reliable workmanship.
How much does a builder cost in London?
It depends heavily on the project, which is why the site visit is free and the quote comes afterwards. As a rough guide for London, a single-storey rear extension runs from £2,500 to £3,200 per square metre fitted, a dormer loft conversion lands between £45,000 and £75,000, and a whole-house refurbishment sits around £1,200 to £2,500 per square metre. Day rates for general building labour are typically £180 to £320. London prices sit above the national average because of access, parking, and skip-permit constraints.
What is the difference between a builder and a handyperson?
A general builder undertakes structural and large-scale construction, such as extensions, loft conversions, knocking through walls, and full refurbishments, often spanning weeks or months and frequently coordinating other trades. A handyperson handles small, self-contained jobs that take from 30 minutes to a half-day. If your project involves removing or altering a load-bearing wall, fitting an RSJ, or anything needing building control approval, you need a builder. For the dozen small jobs around the house, book a handyperson.
Do I need planning permission or party-wall agreements for my project?
Many extensions and loft conversions in London fall under permitted development and do not need full planning permission, but conservation areas, listed buildings, and flats are common exceptions across the capital, so always check with your borough first. Building control sign-off is required for structural work regardless of planning. If you share a wall with a neighbour, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 usually applies and you must serve notice before work starts. A good London builder will flag all of this at the site visit and can recommend an architect or party-wall surveyor where needed.
Do I pay through Loacally or directly to the builder?
You pay your builder directly, in whichever method they accept and on the payment schedule agreed in their written quote, which for larger projects is usually staged against milestones. Loacally does not take payment for the work and never holds your money. The free site visit you book on the profile is exactly that, free, with the project quote provided afterwards and captured against your booking for reference.
Find a general builder in London.
Compare who’s available, see a clear price, and book a visit in minutes.