A full HMO refurbishment brings a tired or non-compliant shared house back up to standard in one project: strip-out, repairs, new kitchens and bathrooms, fire safety, electrics, heating, decoration and flooring. Landlords in Watford (WD1, WD17, WD18 and WD19) usually come to us with a council letter, a fire risk assessment or a house they have just bought. We price from whichever you have.
- Area
- Hertfordshire, England
- Postcodes
- WD1, WD17, WD18 and WD19
- Location
- 15 miles north-west of London
- Pricing region
- East of England
What does full HMO refurbishment in Watford involve?
- Strip-out and making good
- New or refitted kitchens and bathrooms
- Damp and mould repairs
- Fire doors, detection and escape route upgrades
- Condition survey and schedule of works
Which rules apply in Watford?
Here is what usually applies to a Watford job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- BS 7671, the wiring standard, calls for arc fault detection devices in HMOs on new socket circuits, such as rewires and consumer unit changes.
How much does full HMO refurbishment cost in Watford?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full refurbishment per letting room, with a share of communal areas (excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £4,000 – £9,000 | £4,250 – £9,550 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,500 – £19,100 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,850 – £9,550 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £850 – £2,100 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £6,350 – £12,700 | house |
These are typical ranges including VAT, adjusted for East of England, where costs run above the UK average. The fixed price for a house in Watford follows a site visit.
How long does it take?
Allow 4–12 weeks on site for a typical job. Drawings, approvals and long-lead items such as kitchens or fire door sets are booked before we start.
When do Watford landlords need it?
Landlords in Watford most often ask us for this when:
- A house that has been let hard for years
- You have bought an existing HMO that needs work
Questions about full HMO refurbishment in Watford
Can you refurbish an HMO while tenants live there?
Sometimes, room by room, with the escape route kept clear and the fire alarm working at all times. For heavier work it is usually quicker and safer to do it with the house empty. We plan the phasing with you.
Which postcodes in Watford do you work in?
All of them, including WD1, WD17, WD18 and WD19, and the surrounding parts of Hertfordshire.
Where do I check the HMO rules for an address in Watford?
With the local council for the address. Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much does full HMO refurbishment cost in Watford?
Our guide ranges for East of England are in the table on this page, and the guide-price tool gives a figure for your house. A fixed written quote follows a free site visit.
Full HMO refurbishment near Watford
- Bushey · 2 mi
- North Watford · 2 mi
- Rickmansworth · 4 mi
- Borehamwood · 5 mi
- Ruislip · 6 mi
- Harrow · 6 mi
- All of Hertfordshire
Other HMO services in Watford
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Watford
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Watford
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Watford
- Communal kitchen refits in Watford
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Watford
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Watford
- EPC and energy upgrades in Watford
- Ensuite installation in Watford