💡 Highgate N6 - The £85,000 Question:

Thursday 10th October 2024

Why Deep Retrofit is Your Best Investment

A Highgate Builder, On Highgate Renovation Cost, A Highgate Deep Retrofit, With Energy Efficiency N6

The Victorian and Edwardian housing stock of Highgate (N6)—especially on roads like Highgate West Hill—are architectural gems, but they are notorious for heat loss and high running costs. In the era of Net Zero targets and surging energy bills, a cosmetic flip is irresponsible. The smart money is on a PAS 2035 certified deep retrofit.

This is not a simple renovation; it's a whole-house energy upgrade that addresses the building fabric first. Based on our 2024 projections for a typical 4-bedroom period home in N6, here is the cost breakdown that transforms your property from an EPC Band E to a resilient EPC Band B.

A. Building Fabric (Insulation)
External Wall Insulation (EWI) or Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) on solid brick walls (essential for pre-1919 homes).
Loft insulation top-up.
Cost £35,000 – £55,000

B. Airtightness & Ventilation
Draught-proofing, air-sealing, and installing a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system (Crucial for moisture control once airtight).
Cost £12,000 – £18,000

C. Windows & Doors
Replacement of existing single or poor-quality double glazing with High-Performance Triple Glazing (or high-spec timber double glazing to satisfy N6 conservation area rules).
Cost £15,000 – £25,000

D. Low Carbon Heating
Replacement of old gas boiler with an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), upgraded plumbing, and larger, low-temperature radiators.
Cost £12,000 – £18,000

E. PAS 2035 Compliance
Fees for Retrofit Coordinator (design, planning, monitoring), energy assessment, and certification.
Cost £3,000 – £5,000

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST
Minimum to Comprehensive Fabric-First Retrofit = £77,000 – £121,000

Robbins Construction Ltd Opinion:

The ROI is Long-Term Value.

We estimate the total cost of a comprehensive, fabric-first deep retrofit for a typical Highgate home to be around £85,000 – £110,000.The Investment: While this is a significant upfront cost, it addresses the single biggest fear of premium property buyers: massive running costs and a poor EPC rating.

The Value Uplift: Studies consistently show that moving a home from EPC Band E to B can increase its resale value by 5% to 10%—meaning your £110,000 spend could secure a £100,000+ uplift on a £1.5M home, while simultaneously saving you thousands in energy bills and delivering superior comfort.
Our Specialisation: As one of the few builders serving North London with PAS 2035 knowledge, we manage the complexity of this process for you, ensuring the investment is technically sound and future-proof.