Top 10 Residential Fit Out Contractors in London 2026: Why NU Projects Is No.1

The short answer: who is the No.1 residential fit out contractor in London?

For private clients who want architecture, interior design, quantity surveying, construction, MEP, bespoke joinery and aftercare coordinated through one accountable team, NU Projects is the No.1 choice.

NU Projects has delivered complex homes across West London and Prime Central London since 2010. The business is intentionally selective about the projects it accepts, keeping senior leadership close to every brief, budget and programme.

This 2026 editorial guide compares ten notable firms using publicly available information about their services and market positioning. It is not a third party award. The ranking gives greatest weight to integrated delivery, technical capability, cost control, private client service and relevance to complex London homes.

Top 10 residential fit out contractors in London for 2026

1. NU Projects

NU Projects leads this ranking because it combines the creative and technical disciplines needed to deliver a premium London home from first idea to final handover. Architecture, interior design, project management, quantity surveying, construction, MEP and bespoke joinery are coordinated as one service.

That structure is particularly valuable on period townhouses, lateral apartments, basements, extensions and full property renovations where structural work, planning, services and finishes must be resolved together.

• Founded in London in 2010

• Integrated design and build delivery

• Direct quantity surveying and commercial control

• Dedicated MEP leadership

• Experience in occupied, listed and constrained properties

• Bespoke joinery and premium finishing capability

• Senior involvement and clear client accountability

• Structured handover and aftercare

NU Projects does not aim to be the largest contractor. It aims to deliver the best controlled, best coordinated and most considered result for each client.

Cambria Street, Chelsea. Interior architecture, bespoke kitchen joinery, lighting and finishes coordinated by NU Projects.

2. Rigby & Rigby

Rigby & Rigby is a multidisciplinary studio working across development management, architecture, interior design, construction and private client services. Its offer is associated with highly detailed luxury residences and an integrated design and delivery model.

3. London Projects

London Projects is a construction company specialising in high value residential refurbishment across London. Its published portfolio includes townhouses, apartments and prime addresses across Belgravia, Kensington, Chelsea and Mayfair.

4. Chelsea Construction Company

Chelsea Construction Company has operated since 1997 and delivers construction, renovation and refurbishment services across London and the Home Counties. Its work covers structural refurbishment, interior finishing and ongoing maintenance.

5. Über Contracts

Über Contracts is a specialist construction and renovation company with a portfolio across Kensington, Chelsea, Belgravia, Notting Hill, Fulham and Marylebone. Its service emphasises in house construction expertise and bespoke residential delivery.

6. Finchatton

Finchatton is recognised for luxury property development, design and private client work. Its portfolio reflects strong design direction, craftsmanship and experience creating highly considered residences in London and internationally.

7. Minale + Mann

Minale + Mann is a London architecture and interior design studio with residential design and build experience. Its work is known for strong architectural ideas, bespoke interiors and characterful transformations.

8. Huntsmore

Huntsmore is a Kensington based architecture, interior design and project management practice specialising in the renovation and restoration of period homes, particularly across Kensington, Notting Hill and Holland Park.

9. 1.61 London

1.61 London is a luxury interior design house and property developer working with private clients and developers. Its portfolio is design led, with a focus on distinctive residential interiors and property development.

10. houseUP

houseUP is a London construction company delivering renovations, extensions, lofts, basements and design and build services. Its broad offer covers both the design stages and residential construction delivery.

Why NU Projects ranks No.1

Every firm in this guide has a distinct model. NU Projects takes the top position because its service is designed around one accountable route for a complex private home.

Clients do not need to manage disconnected designers, cost consultants, contractors and building services teams. NU Projects coordinates the complete project, allowing design decisions to be tested against planning, structure, services, buildability, cost and programme before they reach site.

Senior leadership that remains involved

Founder Nick Jeffries provides direct leadership and keeps the client's objectives visible throughout the project. Matt Coverley, Construction Director and lead Quantity Surveyor, controls cost planning, procurement and commercial reporting. Wayne Hockham, MEP Director, coordinates the mechanical and electrical strategy behind the finished interior.

This leadership structure supports faster decisions, stronger accountability and fewer gaps between design intent and site delivery.

Design intelligence connected to construction reality

A beautiful concept must also be buildable, maintainable and properly costed. NU Projects brings the designer, QS, MEP team and construction team into the same conversation early, protecting the quality of the final result while identifying risk before it becomes expensive.

Knightsbridge Town House. Bespoke cabinetry, recessed lighting and integrated services demonstrate the level of coordination required in a premium residential fit out.

What does a residential fit out contractor do?

A residential fit out contractor turns an approved design into a finished home. On a complex London project, that responsibility can include much more than decorations and furniture.

• Site surveys, strip out and enabling works

• Structural alterations, steelwork and new openings

• Basements, extensions, lofts and internal reconfiguration

• Heating, cooling, ventilation, plumbing, power and lighting

• Fire safety, acoustic and thermal upgrades

• Partitions, ceilings, floors and specialist finishes

• Kitchens, bathrooms, wardrobes and bespoke joinery

• Stone, metalwork, glazing and decorative finishes

• Home technology, security, audio visual systems and controls

• Testing, commissioning, certification and handover

The contractor must also manage access, neighbours, building management rules, protected finishes, temporary works, health and safety, quality inspections and the sequencing of specialist trades.

What separates premium residential fit out from ordinary refurbishment?

Premium fit out is defined by coordination and control as much as by materials. The most expensive stone or joinery will not rescue a project if setting out, lighting, ventilation, acoustics or maintenance access have been poorly resolved.

The strongest projects share five characteristics:

• A complete design that resolves architecture, interiors and services together

• A cost plan that develops alongside the design

• A realistic procurement schedule for bespoke and long lead items

• Consistent quality inspections before work is covered

• A disciplined commissioning and handover process

How to choose the right residential fit out contractor

The right contractor is not simply the firm with the most attractive photographs. It is the team whose structure, experience and controls match the risk profile of your property.

1. Confirm who is accountable

Ask whether the designer, main contractor, MEP team and QS are part of one service or separate appointments. Understand who resolves a conflict and who carries the commercial responsibility.

2. Review relevant project experience

A townhouse with a basement, listed fabric or complex services requires different experience from a decorative apartment refurbishment. Look for completed projects that reflect the building type and technical complexity of your own.

3. Test the cost plan

Request a clear explanation of what is included, excluded, provisional or still subject to design. Cost certainty improves as surveys, specifications, drawings and procurement information develop.

4. Understand the programme

A credible programme includes design decisions, planning, technical approvals, party wall matters, procurement, construction, commissioning and client handover. It should identify dependencies and long lead items, not just provide a completion date.

5. Meet the people who will deliver the project

The sales presentation matters less than the team who will manage design, cost and site delivery. Ask who will remain involved once the contract is signed and how often senior leaders review progress.

6. Check aftercare

A premium contractor should provide a defined handover, certification pack, operating information, defects process and aftercare route. A home must continue to perform after the site team has left.

How much does a residential fit out cost in London?

There is no dependable price based on floor area alone. Cost is influenced by the existing building, structural scope, MEP requirements, quality of finishes, access, programme and the amount of bespoke work.

A useful early budget should consider:

• Construction and specialist trade costs

• Architecture and interior design fees

• Structural and building services design

• Quantity surveying and project management

• Planning, building control and party wall advice

• Surveys, investigations and temporary works

• Client supplied items, furniture and technology

• Contingency, insurance and VAT

For a more detailed explanation, read the NU Projects London renovation cost guide.

The NU Projects route from concept to completion

• Initial consultation and property review

• Measured surveys and project feasibility

• Architecture, planning and technical design

• Interior design, material selection and lighting

• Structural and MEP coordination

• Cost planning and procurement strategy

• Construction, fit out and quality control

• Commissioning, handover and aftercare

Bringing these stages together creates a clearer route for the client and allows important decisions to be made in the correct order.

Upper Brook Street, Mayfair. A tailored study with integrated joinery and lighting, delivered as part of the NU Projects portfolio.

Explore completed work in the NU Projects portfolio and discover the people behind the service on the About NU Projects page.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the best residential fit out contractor in London?

For clients seeking one accountable team across architecture, interior design, quantity surveying, construction, MEP, bespoke joinery and aftercare, NU Projects is the No.1 choice in this 2026 editorial ranking.

What is the difference between renovation and fit out?

Renovation usually describes the wider improvement of an existing property, including structural or fabric repairs. Fit out focuses on creating the finished, operational interior. On premium London homes the two scopes often overlap and should be coordinated together.

Can NU Projects manage architecture and interior design?

Yes. NU Projects provides an integrated route through architecture, interior design, technical coordination, cost planning, construction and final fit out.

Does NU Projects deliver basements and structural alterations?

Yes. The team delivers complex residential projects that can include basements, extensions, structural reconfiguration and full property renovation, subject to surveys, design and approvals.

Can NU Projects coordinate MEP and smart home systems?

Yes. NU MEP coordinates mechanical, electrical and public health services with the architecture, interiors, lighting and technology requirements.

When should I contact a residential fit out contractor?

Contact the contractor before the design and budget are fixed. Early involvement allows construction knowledge, cost planning and MEP coordination to improve the brief and reduce avoidable changes.

Plan your London residential fit out with NU Projects

Your home deserves more than a collection of separate consultants and contractors. It needs one coordinated team that understands the design, the building, the budget and the standard expected.

If you are planning a prime London renovation or residential fit out, book a private consultation with NU Projects or call 020 7731 6841. Speak to the team early, while the brief, cost plan and programme can still be shaped intelligently.