It’s a conversation we’ve had in hundreds of London kitchens — usually perched on a wobbly chair, with a mug of tea balanced precariously in one hand, surrounded by the very clutter the homeowner is hoping to escape. And it always starts the same way:
“We love it here… but we just need more space.”
Ah yes, the but. That single word is the beginning of the great London dilemma: do you stay and renovate, or do you pack up your life into boxes and move somewhere else?
Do you live through a building site for a few months, or spend your weekends scrolling Rightmove, praying the perfect house exists — and that no one else gets to it first?
As builders, we stand right at this crossroads with our clients. We’re not estate agents trying to talk you into a shiny new postcode. And we’re not here just to slap on some bricks and collect a cheque.
Our job is to show you what’s actually possible where you are. And after years of being invited into homes across the city — through cramped hallways and over creaky floors — we’ve developed a clear perspective on this classic conundrum.
The True Cost of a ‘Fresh Start’
On paper, relocating seems simple. Tempting, even.
A bigger garden. Another bedroom. Maybe a home office. A clean slate. You imagine just turning a key and stepping into your new life.
But in London? The reality is… less romantic.
Let’s be honest — moving is expensive. Eye-wateringly so.
And I’m not just talking about the cost of the new property.
The big one — the hidden villain of the piece — is Stamp Duty.
It’s a brutal figure that doesn’t buy you a single extra square foot or an ounce of happiness. That money simply disappears into thin air.
Then you’ve got legal fees. Surveyors. Estate agents’ commissions. Removal vans. Maybe even short-term storage if dates don’t quite align. It all stacks up before you’ve even thought about new curtains or that inevitable IKEA trip.
And what do you actually get at the end?
You get someone else’s house. Their choices. Their weird plug socket in the middle of the wall. Their slightly crooked shelves. The paint colours they thought were tasteful but you… don’t.
We often get calls from clients who moved only a year ago — and now want us to redo the kitchen or knock through a wall in their ‘dream’ home. They moved the problem, at great expense, only to discover it didn’t solve much at all.
The Case for Staying Put
On the other hand, renovating comes with its own headaches — we won’t sugarcoat it.
Yes, you’ll have dust. Yes, there will be days where the house feels upside down.
But here’s the thing: when it’s over, you get a home that’s truly yours — tailored to you and how you actually live.
Instead of paying thousands to the taxman, you put that money back into your property. You can design the space around your family’s needs, make smart energy upgrades, and even increase the value of your home if you ever do decide to sell.
Plus, you get to stay in the neighbourhood you already love — with the café that knows your order and the neighbour who keeps an eye on your cat when you’re away.
Our Take
We see it time and again: the families who choose to renovate almost always feel it was worth the mess.
Not just financially, but emotionally. There’s a sense of pride in creating something that works for you, rather than making do with what someone else left behind.
Of course, renovation isn’t for everyone. If you’re desperate for a total change, or your current home simply can’t give you what you need structurally, moving may be the better option.
But if you love where you live — and just need more from your space — our advice is simple: before you call the estate agent, call a builder. See what’s possible. You might be surprised at how much potential your home still has.
If you’re standing at that crossroads yourself, we’d be happy to have that cup of tea with you and talk it through.
Visit us at XMX London and let’s explore what your home could become.
