Victorian terraces are rewarding to work on and consistently throw up the same handful of issues. Knowing them in advance turns most of them into planned work rather than mid-build surprises.
Solid walls
No cavity means different approaches to insulation, damp and fixing. Internal insulation reduces room size and needs careful detailing at reveals and floor junctions.
Suspended timber floors
Generally good news for running services and waste, provided ventilation under the floor is maintained and not blocked by later work.
Chimney breasts and flues
Multiple redundant breasts are common, each taking floor space and each raising support and party wall questions when removed.
Party walls everywhere
Almost any structural work in a terrace involves a shared wall, so party wall procedure is usually part of the programme rather than an exception.
Access and logistics
Getting long steel sections, skips and materials in and out via a narrow alley or through the house shapes both method and cost.