In short: HMO layout reconfiguration changes the internal plan of a shared house so the rooms, kitchens and bathrooms work together: moving or adding walls, splitting oversized rooms, merging undersized ones, or moving the kitchen off the escape route. Across Devon, the work is planned around England’s HMO rules and the standards the local council publishes.
- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South West
- Postcode areas
- EX, TQ, PL, DT
- Main towns
- Plymouth, Exeter, Paignton, Torquay, Newton Abbot
What do layout changes and room reconfiguration in Devon involve?
- Merging undersized rooms
- New stud walls and door openings
- Measured survey and options drawings
- Fire separation for new rooms
- Re-routing services
- Moving kitchens off the escape route
Which rules apply in Devon?
- Floor area under a ceiling lower than 1.5 m does not count towards the room size, and many councils set larger sizes.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
- National rules ask for an adequate number of bathrooms, WCs and basins and suitably located kitchens; numeric ratios are set by each council.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
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 do layout changes and room reconfiguration cost in Devon?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| New stud wall and door forming a room, per room (our estimate) | £1,500 – £3,500 | £1,550 – £3,650 | room formed |
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,650 – £6,750 | letting room |
Typical time on site: 1–4 weeks. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Layout changes and room reconfiguration by town in Devon
Questions about layout changes and room reconfiguration in Devon
Why move a kitchen off the escape route?
Kitchens are where most fires start. Guidance usually prefers that escape routes do not pass through or open directly from a kitchen without protection.
Can you work from my sketch?
Yes. We turn it into measured drawings and check it against the standards before you commit.
Do you carry out layout changes and room reconfiguration across Devon?
Yes, across the whole of Devon, including Plymouth, Exeter, Paignton.
Who licenses HMOs in Devon?
HMOs in Devon are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.