Greater Manchester

Builders in Wigan

Renovat Construction provides building, renovation, and refurbishment services for homeowners, landlords, and property investors across Wigan and the wider borough, including Leigh, Hindley, Standish, Atherton, and Tyldesley. Our PMP certified, RICS accredited team manages every project from initial survey through to final handover, with one point of contact and full accountability throughout.

Wigan is a metropolitan borough on the western edge of Greater Manchester, set on the River Douglas and positioned almost midway between the cities of Manchester and Liverpool. The borough comprises the principal towns of Wigan and Leigh, together with the townships of Hindley, Ince-in-Makerfield, Pemberton, Orrell, Standish, Aspull, Atherton, Tyldesley, Golborne, and Westhoughton. With a population of 329,321 at the 2021 census across an area of approximately 199 square kilometres, Wigan is the second most populous borough in Greater Manchester. It is also one of the more affordable, with a renovation market driven by good rail access into both Manchester and Liverpool, substantial Victorian and Edwardian housing stock from the coal mining and cotton era, and entry prices that sit materially below most southern and western Greater Manchester boroughs.

Why Wigan Renovations Work Differently

Three forces shape every renovation decision in Wigan, and importantly, they do not apply equally elsewhere in Greater Manchester.

The affordability and yield position

Wigan entry prices sit among the lowest in Greater Manchester, particularly across central Wigan, central Leigh, Ince-in-Makerfield, and parts of Hindley and Pemberton. As a result, this creates two distinct opportunities for buyers in the borough.

What it means for owner occupiers

For owner occupiers, renovation in Wigan delivers a finished family home at a total cost well below buying a finished property in higher priced Greater Manchester postcodes such as Sale, Altrincham, or Didsbury. Furthermore, the borough's solid period and inter war housing stock means well chosen properties refurbish to a high specification without losing money against the local resale ceiling.

What it means for investors

By contrast, for investors, the lower entry price tends to deliver stronger gross rental yields than equivalent properties in South Manchester, particularly across the Victorian and Edwardian terraces of central Wigan, central Leigh, Ince-in-Makerfield, and Pemberton, and the inter war semis of Standish, Orrell, Aspull, and Shevington.

Rail access into Manchester and Liverpool

Wigan benefits from two railway stations serving different networks. Specifically, Wigan North Western sits on the West Coast Main Line, with direct services to Liverpool Lime Street, Preston, and London Euston, and onward services towards Scotland. Additionally, Wigan Wallgate is operated by Northern, with direct local services to Manchester Victoria taking approximately 25 minutes, as well as services towards Bolton, Southport, and Kirkby. The borough is also served by further stations including Hindley, Ince, Pemberton, Orrell, Bryn, Garswood, Hag Fold, Atherton, Daisy Hill, Hindley Green, and Westhoughton. As a result, Wigan supports owner occupier demand from professionals commuting to both Manchester and Liverpool, and rental demand from tenants priced out of either city.

Motorway access

Wigan is positioned at the meeting point of three motorways. Specifically, the M6 runs north to south to the west of the borough with junctions at Bryn and Ashton (J25), Orrell (J26), and Standish and Shevington (J27). Additionally, the M58 connects from Orrell westward towards Skelmersdale and Liverpool, and the M61 runs eastward towards Bolton and Manchester. As a result, this combination of West Coast Main Line rail, local Northern rail, and motorway access gives the borough strong connectivity to both regional cities.

Industrial heritage and the Wigan landscape

Wigan rose to prominence during the Industrial Revolution as one of the leading coal mining and cotton processing districts in the North West, and at its height the surrounding coalfield featured thousands of pit shafts. Specifically, the borough's industrial character is most strongly associated with Wigan Pier and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which threads through the town and the wider borough. Additionally, much of the former mining and industrial land has been reclaimed, with the Wigan Flashes and other former colliery sites now forming nature reserves and green space. Consequently, this combination of dense former industrial townships, period housing stock, and substantial green space supports a renovation market that varies significantly between the urban grain of central Wigan and central Leigh and the more suburban and semi rural character of Standish, Aspull, Shevington, and the borough's outer townships.

How Wigan's Property Mix Shapes Renovation Decisions

The Wigan borough housing stock reflects multiple development phases from the coal and cotton era through to modern infill development. As a result, what counts as a sensible renovation strategy varies significantly between neighbourhoods.

Victorian and Edwardian terraces (1860 to 1910)

Found across central Wigan, Whelley, Scholes, Ince-in-Makerfield, Pemberton, central Leigh, Hindley, and parts of Atherton and Tyldesley. Specifically, these properties have solid brick walls, slate roofs, original timber floors, and many have cellars or partial subfloor voids. Built originally for the coal mining, cotton, and engineering workforce. Common renovation work includes full rewiring, replumbing, damp proofing, replastering, and kitchen and bathroom refits. As a result, these terraces continue to deliver some of the stronger rental yields across Greater Manchester at the right purchase price.

Inter war semis (1918 to 1939)

Found extensively across Standish, Orrell, Aspull, Shevington, Worsley Hall, Beech Hall, parts of Hindley, Atherton, and the wider WN1, WN2, WN3, WN5, WN6, and WN7 footprints. Specifically, these properties feature bay windows, generous room sizes, front and rear gardens, and many have hipped roofs suitable for hip to gable loft conversion. Therefore, these are the workhorse family homes of the Wigan borough, ideal for rear extensions creating open plan kitchen diners and loft conversions for additional bedrooms.

Post war and mid century housing

Found across parts of Marsh Green, Worsley Mesnes, Norley Hall, Higher Ince, and the larger post war estates around Wigan and Leigh. Mix of semi detached and short terraces with cavity walls, hipped roofs, and integral or detached garages. Generally, these homes commonly need heating and insulation upgrades to meet current EPC requirements for rental properties.

Detached and semi rural housing

Concentrated across Standish, Shevington, Aspull, Haigh, Appley Bridge, and the borough's outer edges. Specifically, larger detached homes, period cottages, and converted farm buildings, many backing onto open countryside, Haigh Woodland Park, or former colliery land now reclaimed as green space. Additionally, many of these properties have substantial plots supporting significant extensions, outbuildings, and garden studios. Conservation and rural character considerations apply across several designated conservation areas in the borough.

Modern apartments and new build housing

Concentrated around the Wigan town centre and Leigh regeneration areas, the canalside developments, and infill schemes across Standish, Lowton, Golborne, and Westhoughton. Generally in good structural condition, although these properties typically benefit from kitchen and bathroom upgrades to maximise rental yield.

Conservation Areas and Heritage Properties in Wigan

Wigan Council has designated multiple conservation areas across the borough, each with a conservation area appraisal setting out the historic character of the area. Specifically, designated conservation areas are found across Wigan town centre, Leigh, Standish, and other historic townships and village cores within the borough. As a result, we assess conservation area status and any applicable Article 4 Direction at the quote stage so you know exactly what is possible before committing to a project.

What conservation area status means for homeowners

Within Wigan's conservation areas, several controls apply automatically. Specifically, demolition of buildings or boundary walls usually requires planning permission. Furthermore, the extent of permitted development for items such as satellite dishes and smaller extensions is reduced. Additionally, all trees within a conservation area with a stem diameter greater than 75mm are protected, requiring six weeks written notice to Wigan Council before any felling, lopping, or pruning. As a result, we assess conservation area status and any applicable planning constraints at the quote stage so you know exactly what is possible before committing to a project.

Heritage and conservation approach

For development within conservation areas, professional input from architects and surveyors familiar with historic buildings is recommended, alongside the use of traditional materials. Generally, successful applications use natural slate or stone for roofing, lime mortar rather than modern cement on period brickwork, and timber sash or casement windows rather than uPVC. Additionally, we prepare heritage statements as standard for any conservation area, listed building, or Article 4 area project. Therefore, this supports more successful applications and reduces the risk of conditions or refusal.

The full list of Wigan conservation areas, appraisals, and Article 4 Directions is published by Wigan Council.

HMO Conversions in Wigan

This is the single most important planning point for any investor considering an HMO in Wigan, and it sets the borough apart from much of Greater Manchester.

Wigan operates a borough wide HMO Article 4 Direction

On 15 July 2025, Wigan Council made a borough wide Article 4 Direction removing permitted development rights for the change of use from a standard family dwelling (Use Class C3) to a small house in multiple occupation (Use Class C4). Following a public consultation, the Direction was confirmed and came into force on 31 August 2025. As a result, from that date all HMOs in the Wigan borough, regardless of size, require planning permission. This applies across the entire borough, including Wigan, Leigh, Hindley, Ince-in-Makerfield, Pemberton, Orrell, Standish, Atherton, Tyldesley, Golborne, and Westhoughton.

What this means for investors

The borough wide Article 4 Direction does not prevent HMO conversions, but it does mean that every HMO conversion in Wigan now requires a full planning application before the change of use can proceed. Specifically, this includes small HMOs of three to six unrelated occupiers (Use Class C4) which would previously have fallen under permitted development, as well as large HMOs of seven or more occupiers (sui generis) which have always required planning permission. As a result, HMO feasibility in Wigan now depends heavily on the specific property, its location, and local planning policy on HMO concentration.

Licensing requirements for Wigan HMOs

HMO licensing is a separate requirement from planning permission. Specifically, all HMOs of five or more occupiers require a mandatory HMO licence under the Housing Act 2004, and this applies regardless of the Article 4 Direction. Smaller HMOs may also require additional licensing depending on Wigan Council policy. As a result, we manage the full HMO conversion process including the planning application now required under the borough wide Article 4 Direction, fire safety compliance to LACORS standards, Building Regulations sign off, and HMO licensing through Wigan Council.

Our approach to Wigan HMO projects

Because every Wigan HMO now needs planning permission, the planning application is the first and most important stage of any HMO project in the borough. Therefore, we assess each property against current Wigan planning policy before any commitment, prepare and submit the planning application, and only proceed to conversion works once the planning position is clear. This protects investors from committing to a property and a conversion budget before the change of use is approved.

Project Types We Deliver in Wigan

Full house renovations. Complete strip out and rebuild including rewiring, replumbing, new heating, plastering, kitchen, bathroom, flooring, and decoration. Particularly suited to the Victorian and Edwardian terraces of central Wigan, Scholes, Whelley, Ince-in-Makerfield, Pemberton, central Leigh, and Hindley, and the inter war semis of Standish, Orrell, Aspull, and Shevington.

House extensions. Single storey rear, side, and wraparound extensions. Specifically, the inter war semis across Standish, Orrell, Aspull, Shevington, and Worsley Hall are ideal candidates for rear extensions creating open plan kitchen diners under permitted development.

Loft conversions. Hip to gable with rear dormer on the inter war semi housing stock across the Wigan borough. Additionally, simple rear dormers on Edwardian properties and full mansard or storey additions on substantial detached homes across Standish, Shevington, Aspull, and Haigh where conservation area rules permit.

Kitchen and bathroom renovations. Single room upgrades through to full property refits. Wigan's family housing market is increasingly demanding move in ready specification, particularly across Standish, Orrell, Aspull, and the more affluent pockets of Shevington and Lowton.

HMO conversions. Full feasibility, planning applications, fire safety, Building Regulations, and licensing for both small (C4) and large (sui generis) HMOs. Importantly, every HMO conversion in the Wigan borough now requires planning permission under the borough wide Article 4 Direction in force since 31 August 2025, so the planning application is the essential first stage of any Wigan HMO project.

Garage and cellar conversions. Inter war semis across Standish, Orrell, Aspull, and Shevington commonly have integral or detached garages suitable for habitable conversion. Additionally, central Wigan, Leigh, and Ince-in-Makerfield's older Victorian terraces often have cellars suitable for proper tanking and conversion under BS 8102:2022.

New build infill homes. Single plot self builds and small developments on infill sites across the borough.

Painting, decorating, and landscaping. Internal and external decoration, garden design, fencing, driveways, and paving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning, conservation areas, and HMOs

Investment, value, and renovation strategy

Costs, coverage, and choosing a builder

Areas We Cover in Wigan

Central Wigan, Scholes, Whelley, Worsley Mesnes, Worsley Hall, Marsh Green, Norley Hall, Beech Hill, Pemberton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Higher Ince, Hindley, Hindley Green, Aspull, Standish, Shevington, Orrell, Billinge, Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Golborne, Lowton, Westhoughton, and the wider WN1, WN2, WN3, WN4, WN5, WN6, WN7, and WN8 postcodes.

Additionally, for projects across the wider region see our pages for Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Stockport, Trafford, Altrincham, Sale, Bury, Rochdale, and Tameside.