New build cost in Kensington.
Kensington — W8 — runs from Notting Hill to South Kensington. Some of the most expensive postcodes in London, with housing ranging from Georgian terraces around Kensington Square to Italianate Victorian villas.
What makes new-build work in Kensington distinct.
Site context: Georgian and early Victorian terraces, large stucco villas, plus garden-square set-pieces like Kensington Square and Edwardes Square.
Planning: The entire W8 postcode falls within Kensington Conservation Area, with overlapping Edwardes Square, De Vere and Phillimore conservation areas. Many properties are listed.
Applications go to Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. We handle the Pre-App, planning submission, party wall awards, CIL calculations and conservation officer correspondence end-to-end.
The five new-build types — W8 numbers.
All figures inclusive of design, planning, build, CIL, contingency and VAT. The Kensington multiplier (1.25×) reflects local labour, scaffold logistics and finish expectations.
The 2026 London New Build Cost Guide.
Real cost data from our London new-build projects. Plot acquisition, planning strategy, CIL by borough, and the seven hidden costs that catch self-builders out — relevant to Kensington and beyond.
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What Kensington self-builders ask us.
How much does it cost to build a new home in Kensington in 2026?
Typical 2026 Kensington ranges (inc. design, planning, build, CIL & VAT): infill plots £563k–£1.5m; replacement dwellings £750k–£1.9m; garden plots £688k–£1.8m; large new builds £1.1m–£3.1m; multi-unit £1.5m–£5.6m+. The Kensington multiplier (1.25×) reflects local labour, scaffolding logistics and finish expectations.
What's the planning process for a new build in Kensington?
Always full planning permission via Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. The entire W8 postcode falls within Kensington Conservation Area, with overlapping Edwardes Square, De Vere and Phillimore conservation areas. Many properties are listed. Most Kensington new builds start with a Pre-Application (£500–£2,500) to test feasibility, then a full planning submission running 13–18 weeks. Conservation areas, Article 4 directions and proximity to listed buildings add scrutiny.
What kind of plot makes sense in Kensington?
Georgian and early Victorian terraces, large stucco villas, plus garden-square set-pieces like Kensington Square and Edwardes Square. Plot types that come up most often in W8: replacement of an existing house (demolish + rebuild), side-garden infills on corner plots, and occasional backland sites accessed via a private drive. Plot acquisition prices in Kensington are part of the equation — we help test feasibility before you commit to a purchase.
How long does a Kensington new build take from purchase to keys?
Allow 6–12 months for design and planning (longer in conservation-sensitive parts of Kensington), then 12–18 months on site for a single dwelling, 18–24 months for a large new build, and 24–36 months for multi-unit schemes. Our build programme is fixed in the contract.
How much is CIL in Kensington?
Community Infrastructure Levy varies by London borough and zone, typically £20–£500 per m² of net additional floorspace. Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea publishes its current CIL rates online; we calculate your specific liability at the planning-application stage. Section 106 affordable housing or infrastructure contributions may apply on larger schemes.
Does 2VP work on Kensington new builds?
Yes — Kensington is within our core London new-build catchment. Our studio is at 20 Dawes Road in Fulham, 2.5km from Kensington. We've delivered new builds across the W8 postcode and our subcontractor network covers Kensington & Chelsea. Free site visit, fixed-price quote, 10-year HomePro warranty on the finished home.
New-build pricing for Kensington’s neighbours.
Twenty minutes on plot in Kensington.
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Nick Elias RIBA and Vladimir will walk your plot, check planning constraints, estimate CIL and give you a realistic budget and programme — even if a new build isn’t the right call.
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Price your Kensington new build using the same 2026 rate card we quote real clients with.
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