What is a Listed Building?

A listed building is a building with special protection from demolition. They usually have a historic or architectural interest which makes them special and therefore protected.

Listed buildings come in 3 types or Grades;

• Grade 1 Listed Buildings are the most exceptional and therefore the rarest. Of all the listed building in the UK only 2.5% are grade 1 listed.

• Grade 2 Listed Buildings are still of exceptional importance but not quite as important as grade 1. They account for roughly 5.5% of listed buildings within the UK

• Grade 3 Listed Buildings are the most common type of listed building. They are of special interest due to an architectural or historic reason. Grade 3 listed buildings account for the biggest percentage of listed buildings within the UK at around 92%.

Within the UK there are around 500,000 listed buildings. They come in all shapes and sizes, from castles to cottages, from grand, stand-alone properties to a row of terraced houses and everything in between.

Renovating a Listed Building – why?

Often people wonder why listed buildings are renovated. There are many reasons why;

Safety – listed buildings can sometimes become unsafe. Renovating them makes them more structurally sound and therefore safer to enter.

Keeping them open – some listed buildings are available for public to visit. Renovating them keeps them open to the public so they can continue to be appreciated.

Making them liveable – some people choose to live in a listed building. This would be near impossible without renovating some or all areas.

Energy efficiency – many listed buildings are very old and therefore not very efficient when it comes to heating. Renovating can help improve this.

Update and upgrade – some listed buildings require renovations to keep them updated in general. Depending on what the building is being used for, a simple refresh is sometimes all that is required.

Renovate your Listing Building to Make the Most out of your Space

At HNB Construction, renovating listing buildings is our speciality. We know the Dos and Don’ts of renovating a property and always send the best most experienced team when working on this type of project.

Because we work on an extensive number of listed buildings, we can often advise on what materials to use and what works you might like to include to make the most of your space.

Of course, each building has it’s own rules and so not all of the following may be possible for all listed buildings.

Types of Renovations for Listed Buildings

Kitchen Renovations – listed buildings often have grand kitchens which can be a great space for entertaining. We can renovate spaces to make them perfect for families or create a space for entertaining friends.

Conversions – it could be that you want to grow your space without increasing your footprint. For this we have extensive experience in conversions; this could involve garages, out houses or even lofts. This is a great way to maximise your space.

Extensions – if you’re got enough space for an extension or an annexe then this could be the perfect way to expand and make the most out of your space. Of course, for something like this planning permission would be required.

Raising ceilings and opening windows – we find with listed buildings there can sometimes be a lack of light coming into the property, making it seem dark and less homely. By raising ceilings and enlarging windows we can open up the room creating a bigger airier space for everyone to enjoy.

Creating a better layout – we’ve being to listed buildings where the layout hasn’t quite met the standards of what residents are after. This often happens with old buildings as everyone tries to leave their mark behind. Reworking a layout can maximise the space and make the rooms flow better. This could involve moving doors, removing walls and adding walls and partitions.

Renovating a Listed Building with HNB Construction

At HNB Construction, we have a wealth of experience when it comes to listed buildings. Having worked in the industry for years, we have built a team with extensive knowledge and the skill set required to create beautiful spaces in beautiful buildings.

If you’re looking to start your renovation project, give us a call today.