Frequently asked questions

It depends on orientation, pitch and shading. South is best, east–west can still work, and a heavily shaded or north-facing roof usually isn't worth it. We'll tell you which you have.

Often not, but conservation areas and listed buildings are a different matter — and much of West London is one or the other.

Sometimes, but only if the heat loss and the emitters have been looked at properly. We'd rather do that survey and say no than install something that can't heat the place.

Yes — with a time-of-use tariff a battery alone can make sense. We'll run the numbers with you.

The external unit can need permission depending on where it goes, and almost certainly does on a listed building or in a conservation area. We check before quoting.

Most modern split systems do both, and they're efficient at it — often a sensible answer for a loft or a garden room.

The indoor unit is quiet. The outdoor unit is the one that matters for neighbours, and siting and mounting make a bigger difference than the model.

Yes, but the pipework and condensate will be more visible than if it had gone in during a refurbishment. We'll show you the route before we start.

Usually, with the freeholder's consent, and with care about where cables and cameras go on a listed facade. We deal with this regularly.

Wired wherever we can. Wireless is convenient and less reliable, and reliability is the entire point of a security system.

Yes — we work on communal entrance systems in mansion blocks, including the door release and the wiring back to each flat.

No. We set the apps up, add the users and show you how it works before we leave.

No, and we would be wary of anyone who says they do both without naming the manufacturer. You choose the supplier; we do the structure, the shaft, the services and the making good, and we coordinate with them.

Internally, normally not, though you will need building regulations approval and, in a listed building, listed building consent. A managing agent or freeholder will also need to agree it in a flat.

Modern home lifts need surprisingly little footprint but are strict about pit depth and headroom. We measure against your chosen supplier's drawings before anything is agreed.

Often yes. The constraints are the floor structure, where the opening can land in each room, and consent if the building is listed.