Victorian Terrace Renovation
The Challenge
Sarah and Mark bought their 1890s terraced house after it had been renovated twice. Once in the 1970s with enthusiasm but no building regulations, and again in the 2000s by a developer who prioritised speed over substance. The brief was to restore period features where salvageable, modernise everything else, and add a rear extension that did not look like an afterthought. The challenge: discovering that neither previous renovation had actually addressed the damp issues, and the rear wall was held up more by hope than engineering.
Our Approach
We spent the first two weeks on investigative work that was not in the original quote. Stripping back layers to understand what we were actually dealing with. We documented every issue with photos and provided options with honest cost implications. The revised scope added six weeks to the timeline, but meant we were building on solid foundations rather than papering over someone else's mistakes. We matched the original brickwork using reclaimed Victorian stock, installed proper damp-proofing, and designed the extension to complement the original roofline.
Timeline
16 weeks from start to completion (original estimate was 10 weeks before discovering hidden issues)
Budget
Final cost came in 1.8% under revised quote due to efficient material sourcing
The Outcome
35m² kitchen-diner extension that blends seamlessly with the original structure. Restored cornicing and floorboards in the front rooms. Proper damp-proofing throughout. A house that will stand for another 130 years. Completed three weeks ahead of revised schedule.
"What impressed us most was not just the build quality, though that was excellent. It was the honesty when they found problems. They could have hidden the damp issues and moved on. Instead, they showed us exactly what needed fixing and why. Six months after completion, not a single snag. That is unheard of in construction."
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