Full Internal Refurbishment & Safety Improvements — 31 Dean Road, Cosham, Portsmouth

Project Overview

British Builders was appointed to carry out a full internal refurbishment and safety improvement project at a residential property on Dean Road in Cosham, Portsmouth. The works focused on improving the condition, usability and safety of the property, including the kitchen, flooring, downstairs toilet, main bathroom, bedroom window and front garden access area.

The property required a practical refurbishment approach, with several areas needing repair, replacement, making-good and safety upgrades. The kitchen was reviewed for replacement, including layout improvements to allow space for a dishwasher and additional electrical sockets where required.

Flooring works were carried out throughout the required areas, excluding bedrooms, with subfloor preparation, trims and thresholds included. Additional works included downstairs toilet improvements, bathroom replacement, first-floor bedroom window repair, and external safety improvements to the front garden concrete area.

Grab rails were also included in the scope to improve tenant safety and accessibility. The completed works were designed to make the home more functional, safer and better maintained while improving the internal presentation and day-to-day usability of the property.

Scope of Work

• Removal of the existing kitchen units, worktops, sink, appliances and damaged finishes
• Responsible disposal of kitchen waste, old fittings and associated refurbishment materials
• Review and redesign of the kitchen layout to create a more practical arrangement
• Allowance for dishwasher space within the new kitchen layout
• Supply and installation of a complete new kitchen with units, worktops, sink and associated fittings
• Installation of additional electrical sockets where required for the revised kitchen layout
• Adjustment and reconnection of kitchen plumbing and electrical services where required
• Preparation of subfloors throughout required areas, excluding bedrooms
• Removal of old floor coverings from affected areas
• Supply and installation of new flooring suitable for domestic use
• Installation of trims, thresholds and finishing accessories to flooring transitions
• Making-good around flooring edges, doors and junctions where required
• Removal of the existing downstairs toilet room sink
• Installation of a new modern basin with required plumbing connections
• Filling, sanding and redecoration of the downstairs toilet walls and ceiling
• Replacement of the downstairs toilet door lock with a new functioning lockset
• Removal of the existing main bathroom suite on the first floor
• Installation of a new bathroom suite in a standard layout
• Allowance for possible wet room conversion subject to Occupational Therapist confirmation
• Inspection and repair of the daughter’s bedroom window
• Replacement of the damaged outer glass pane to the affected bedroom window
• Realignment of the window to ensure correct opening, closing and locking
• Making safe of the front garden concrete area by levelling or reinstating defective sections
• Improvement of the front access area to create a more stable walking surface
• Supply and installation of grab rails in required positions for tenant safety
• General making-good following repair, installation and refurbishment works
• Removal of associated waste and debris from site
• Final clean-down and completion check to ensure the property was left tidy and safe

Challenges & Solutions

• Kitchen replacement with layout requirements — The existing kitchen required removal and replacement, while also allowing for a more practical layout. The team reviewed the space to incorporate a dishwasher position and additional socket requirements before progressing with the new installation.
• Working around existing kitchen services — Plumbing, appliance positions and electrical points required careful adjustment to support the new kitchen arrangement. Connections were reviewed and adapted where needed to keep the layout functional.
• Flooring across multiple areas — The property required flooring replacement across several internal spaces, excluding bedrooms. Existing coverings were removed, subfloors were checked and prepared, and new flooring was fitted with trims and thresholds for a neat finish.
• Downstairs toilet improvements — The downstairs toilet required a new basin, plumbing connections, redecoration and a working door lock. The room was repaired and refreshed to improve both function and presentation.
• Bathroom replacement with wet room consideration — The main bathroom was planned as a standard replacement, while allowing flexibility for a possible wet room conversion depending on Occupational Therapist confirmation. This ensured the works could proceed while keeping accessibility requirements in mind.
• Bedroom window repair — The first-floor bedroom window required attention due to damaged outer glazing and alignment issues. The outer pane was replaced and the window was adjusted so it could open, close and lock correctly.
• Front garden safety improvements — The external front concrete area required making safe to reduce trip risks and provide a more stable walking surface. Defective sections were levelled or reinstated where required, with grab rails added to improve tenant safety.
• Coordinating internal and external works — The project involved several different work areas, including kitchen, flooring, bathroom, toilet, window and external access improvements. The works were organised in stages to complete the refurbishment safely and efficiently.

Final Outcome

The refurbishment and safety improvement works helped improve the property’s overall condition, practicality and safety. The kitchen was upgraded with a more functional arrangement, allowing for a dishwasher space and additional socket provision where required.

New flooring improved the appearance and usability of the internal areas included in the scope. Trims, thresholds and making-good works helped create a cleaner finish across transitions and circulation spaces.

The downstairs toilet was refreshed with a new basin, plumbing connections, redecoration and a functioning lockset. The main bathroom was prepared for replacement in a standard layout while allowing for future wet room requirements if confirmed.

The first-floor bedroom window was repaired through outer glass replacement and alignment works, restoring correct opening, closing and locking function. Externally, the front garden concrete area was made safer, and grab rails were installed to improve tenant access and stability.

The property was left cleaner, safer and more practical, with the approved internal refurbishment and safety improvement works completed in line with the agreed scope.

Client Feedback

“British Builders completed the refurbishment and safety works professionally. The kitchen and flooring have made the property feel much more practical, while the toilet, bathroom, window and front access improvements have helped make the home safer and better maintained. The team completed the works carefully and left the property tidy.” – Client