Home renovation & extensions · Adyar, Chennai
Home renovation and extensions in Adyar
Adyar's independent houses sit between the river and the sea, and that shows in how they age: rusting steel, concrete falling off sunshades and balconies, damp walls, and in some streets the memory of the 2015 floods. MKOVR by Madras Makeovers renovates and extends houses in Adyar with one team, and treats those causes rather than just the cracks.
Houses in Adyar
Adyar is one of south Chennai's established residential areas, with neighbourhoods such as Gandhi Nagar, Kasturba Nagar, Indira Nagar and Shastri Nagar. Many of its independent houses date from the 1960s to the 1990s, on good-sized plots along tree-lined streets.
Being close to the coast and the Adyar river brings salt air, high humidity and, in heavy monsoons, water. A renovation here has to deal with the structure and the damp first; the finishes come after.
What we often find in Adyar homes
- Spalling concrete: Salt and moisture reach the steel inside old concrete; it rusts, expands and pushes the concrete off sunshades, balconies and slabs. The repair is to clean and treat the steel and rebuild the cover, not to plaster over it.
- Damp and mould: Rising damp at the base of walls and condensation in closed rooms. Damp-proofing, better ventilation and breathable finishes keep walls dry.
- Flood-proofing the ground floor: Some streets near the river flooded in December 2015. Raising floor levels, moving electrical points and the main board higher, and using water-resistant finishes on the ground floor reduce the damage if it happens again.
- Heat on the top floor: A terrace exposed to the afternoon sun makes the top floor uncomfortable. Insulation, a reflective roof finish, shading and cross-ventilation help, and a terrace room can be built to stay cool.
What we do, and what it costs
- Full renovation: new floors, wiring, plumbing, kitchen and bathrooms, about ₹1,000–₹1,800 per sq ft; a kitchen alone ₹2–6 lakh, a bathroom ₹1.5–3.5 lakh. Home renovation in Chennai →
- A new floor: about ₹2,200–₹3,200 per sq ft in RCC or ₹2,000–₹3,000 in light gauge steel, plus any strengthening. Adding a floor →
- A terrace room: about ₹1,700–₹2,800 per sq ft, insulated to stay cool. Terrace rooms →
These are typical ranges; the free site visit and structural check give you an early figure for your house. See all costs per sq ft.
Approvals
Adyar is within the Greater Chennai Corporation. Adding a floor or rooms needs an approved plan and a structural design; plots close to the river or the coast can have additional rules, which we check before design. Internal renovation and repairs do not need a building permit.
How it works
- Free site visit: we look at the house, check the structure and levels, and listen to what you need.
- Early cost range and options, before you spend anything on design.
- Design and approvals: architecture, structural design and the permit where one is needed.
- Build: one team on site, with regular updates, through to handover.
We also work across nearby Besant Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Kotturpuram, R.A. Puram, Mylapore and Indira Nagar.
Questions people ask
Why is the concrete on our Adyar house falling off?
In salty, humid air, moisture reaches the steel inside the concrete and it rusts. Rust expands and pushes the concrete off; this is called spalling. The repair is to cut back to sound concrete, clean and treat the steel, and rebuild the cover with a repair mortar.
How can we protect the house from flooding?
Raise the ground-floor level where possible, regrade the compound and improve drainage, move electrical points and the main board higher, and use finishes that survive water. We look at your levels and the street at the site visit.
Can we add a terrace room that stays cool?
Yes. An insulated roof and walls, shading on the west side, and windows placed for cross-ventilation keep a terrace room comfortable without running the air conditioner all day.
Planning work on your Adyar house?
Free site visit and structural check, and an early cost range before you spend anything on design.