Full Refurbishment — A Case Study

Ellice Construction delivered a fast-track refurbishment and reconfiguration of a 4,000 square foot detached house in Surrey, transforming it into a bright, open-plan home with contemporary bathrooms and upgraded finishes throughout. The project combined structural alteration, full strip-out, and high-quality fit-out to create practical, elegant spaces that will stand up to daily use.

The Brief

  • Open up cellular ground-floor rooms to improve light, flow and everyday usability.

  • Replace dated bathrooms with modern, low-maintenance spaces including a wet-room.

  • Refresh finishes throughout to a clean, enduring specification suitable for family living and entertaining.

Challenges

  • Significant demolition and waste management in a live residential setting.

  • Removal of internal blockwork walls to form an open-plan kitchen/dining/living area, requiring structural support.

  • Level and waterproof wet-room construction with recessed storage niches and flush thresholds.

  • Coordinating multiple bathrooms to a consistent, contemporary aesthetic.

Our Approach

Strip-out & Structural Works

  • Full plaster and wall tile removal to blockwork where required (see demolition images).

  • Careful takedown of internal blockwork partitions; installation of new structural steel support to create a clear span for the open-plan layout.

  • First-fix carpentry to rationalise openings and door sets for the new plan.

Bathrooms — Design & Fit-Out

  • Family Bathroom: freestanding bath, walk-in glazed shower screen, large-format wall and floor tiles, built-in alcove niches, and recessed window board; calm, pale palette for a bright, spa-like finish.

  • Principal Bathroom: double basin vanity, brushed-brass brassware and accessories, statement floor tiles, and full-height wall tiling for durability.

  • Wet-Room/En-suite: level-access showering with overhead drench and handset, tiled recess for storage, minimal fixtures and a clean grey stone aesthetic.

Services & Substrates

  • First-fix plumbing for new bathroom layouts, freestanding bath, twin vanity, and concealed shower valves.

  • Electrical first-fix including downlights and feature vanity lighting.

  • Floor build-ups prepared for large-format tiling and a fully tanked wet-room (fall to drain, linear tray, and waterproofing system).

Finishes & Joinery

  • Full re-skim to new plaster surfaces for a crisp paint finish.

  • New internal doors and ironmongery to suit the scheme.

  • Engineered timber flooring to living areas, running through to the new open-plan kitchen zone for continuity (see flooring image).

  • Second-fix electrics with warm, even downlighting.

    • Large-format porcelain tiles for reduced grout lines and easy cleaning.

    • Brushed-brass taps, shower sets and trims used as a consistent accent.

    • Frameless glass shower screens to keep sightlines open and maximise natural light.

    • Integrated tiled niches to remove clutter and maintain clean surfaces.

    • Space & Light: Removing internal walls and rationalising openings created a bright, free-flowing living area linked to the kitchen.

    • Durability: Robust tiling, high-quality brassware and moisture-resistant substrates deliver long-term performance with simple maintenance.

    • Value: The coordinated specification across multiple rooms elevated the whole property, increasing market appeal and rental/sale readiness.

    • Programme Discipline: Phased delivery (strip-out → structure → services → fit-out) kept trades moving efficiently and safeguarded finishes.

    • Scope: Structural reconfiguration, full strip-out, two luxury bathrooms + one wet-room, re-plastering, lighting, flooring and decoration.

    • Key Features: Freestanding bath, level-access wet-room, double vanity, recessed niches, large-format porcelain tiles, brushed-brass detailing, engineered timber flooring.

    • Delivery: On programme, to specification, with clean handover and minimal snagging.