When working on a period property, we may need to replace original features such as plaster cornices, sash windows or decorative ironwork. Craftsmanship must be of impeccable quality for these replacements not to stick out like a store thumb.

Our contractors and tradespeople are experienced in traditional building techniques so that any alterations or repairs we have to make to your property will look identical to the original fabric.

This includes sourcing items from trusted suppliers of authentic period replicas and carefully ageing materials so they appear to be appropriately old.

Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern plumbing, electrical and damp-proofing allows us to reinvigorate a period property so that it functions like a modern home while looking straight out of the 1800s.

Damp-proofing and remedial works for conservation areas and listed buildings

When working in conservation areas and listed buildings, preservation is more than an aesthetic concern. It is illegal to alter or damage original fabric in protected buildings, and many conservation areas place restrictions on their appearance.

If you don’t hire contractors who know how to work with period buildings, you may be ordered reverse the works, pay hefty fines or even face prosecution. The property owner is always liable for any breaches of planning law or damage to historic fabric.

In listed buildings, the entire structure is protected, inside and out. You should never assume that you can perform any works without planning permission and historic buildings consent, no matter how minor.

In 2015, a property developer who refurbished a Grade II listed Georgian house in Wales was ordered to pay a £300,000 fine or face a 20 month prison sentence. This is an extreme example, but less headline-grabbing stories happen all the time.