LISTED BUILDINGS & HERITAGE

Specialist knowledge and careful craftsmanship for precision restoration

Heritage buildings and period properties are some of the most precious elements in our built environment - they can’t be replaced, they can only be restored.

Restoring heritage buildings to their former glory requires a deep and genuine understanding of traditional building methods and a commitment to achieving what - from the outset - can seem like the impossible.

We offer a range of traditional building services as well as full end-to-end project management for repair and restoration of listed buildings, period properties and unique heritage projects. This includes liaising with listed building control and specialist consultants where required.

We have extensive experience working on Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II listed buildings. Our heritage clients have trusted us with restorations of historically significant buildings, commercial heritage retrofits and painstaking repairs in much loved homes.

We earn that trust with our deep understanding of traditional buildings, impeccable craftsmanship and a genuine commitment to our clients and their unique period properties.

Lime Craftsmanship

Lime is a unique natural building material that usually central to any listed, period or heritage project. Before cement started to be extensively used in building around the 1930’s, most buildings would have use lime or earth renders, plasters and mortars.

We can assess, advise and specify lime renders, plasters and mortars for your listed building, as well as undertake all works. We’re specialists at working on different wall build ups, including stone, timber frame and lath and plaster - which we can also traditional repairs for. We can also tailor the lime finishes according to finish and colour to best match the original limework.

We can also remove cement renders and restore walls to a traditional lime rendered or lime pointed finish, including any stone repairs needed.

Heritage building - heritage techniques

Listed buildings and period properties demand extra attention when it comes to repairs, renovation and restoration. It’s not possible to just do what you like - you have to do what’s right for the building. In the case of listed buildings any work must also be cleared by listed building control not to mention any trusts, charities or partners which have a vested interest in the building.

As well as lime work we can also offer other specialist traditional building trades including clay plastering and rendering; facade restoration; carpentry repairs; stone masonry and slating.

We’re dedicated to always finding the right materials and approach for the building to make sure the end result is of the highest standard possible.

Natural materials.

Natural materials feature in all our projects for their sustainability, beauty and high performance. But in heritage projects and period properties they become more than just desirable to use - they are integral to the work.

Lime, stone, slate, cob, clay and timber are all inseparable from listed building repairs and restoration. We’re specialists in all of them.

Not only are natural materials the authentic match for heritage and period buildings, they also work in harmony with what’s there already.

Natural materials offer advantages such as flexibility - so they can move with the seasonal changes in an old building - and breathability - ensuring damp isn’t trapped within the fabric of the building.

So we’re also specialists in removing wrongly applied modern synthetic finishes and repairs such as cement render.

Our heritage trades

  • We offer lime plastering, rendering, pointing, limewash and limecrete services.

  • We can offer structural repairs to cob buildings as well as plastering and rendering.

  • We can repair slatework facades and offer whole-building slate roofing.

  • We offer specialist carpentry repairs, joinery and structural timber frame work.

  • We can repair stone walls, floors and restore or install paving and cobblestones.

  • We can repair timber frame buildings, strengthening historically significant existing timbers with carefully sourced new beams and sympathetic joinery.

  • We can use insulating lime render to add insulation to your period property. Where desirable and approved by listed building control, we are also specialists in solid wall insulation using natural materials which work in harmony with traditional wall construction and finishes.

“Greenacre Building did some excellent work on the Charity's Grade I listed building, from significant structural repairs through to fine traditional finishing. The quality was excellent but of particular note is that we needed to change the approach on a number of occasions; Dan and the team demonstrated the flexibility and ingenuity in response to this for which the Trustees are very grateful.”

John Severn - Bogan House, Grade 1 Listed Restoration

Our process - listed buildings

  • Your listed building or period property journey with us will start with a chat on the phone followed by an initial meeting with our director on-site to discuss your goals for the project. This first contact is always free and no-obligation.

  • Before we can undertake any building work on a listed building or period property we always take time to understand the building and carefully consider what changes you are hoping to implement. We’ll discuss any obvious constraints, discuss budget and consider any challenges the project may face along the way.

  • In this stage we’ll start the process of consulting any relevant stakeholders or specialist consultants on the planned scope of works.

    Advice may be sought from a listed building officer or an independent planning consultant. Other specialist consultants may also be needed depending on the complexity of the project.

    At the end of this stage we’ll give you an updated cost estimate for building works and work with you to make sure any works undertaken will likely fall within your budget.

  • If applicable, we will then undertake a design phase. If needed, we will draw up any plans needed for planning permission and can manage this process on your behalf. If applicable, listed building consent will also be sought.

    In this stage we will also work closely with you to decide on final details such as materials, finishes, processes, techniques and trades as well as consider any sourcing requirements for specialist timber or other materials.

    We will continue to update our cost estimates as this stage progresses.

  • We’ll prepare a contract, continue to liaise with listed building control, initiate building control if applicable and make all last preparations for the building works.

    The construction process itself will be a seamless onward process from the design stage. We will undertake and/or manage everything ourselves and continue to involve you closely as the building work progresses so you always know what’s going on.

  • At the end of the building works we will make sure final listed building control approval is secured and all loose ends are tied up.

    As we handover your beautifully restored heritage or period property we’ll be on hand to address any concerns or questions you may have. We’ll make sure you understand what to expect from your listed building and that you have all the information you need to feel confident taking over management of it.

Selected projects

  • Newbuild house with black cladding built to Passivhaus standard

    Yelverton - New Build

    A stunning Passivhaus standard timber-frame new build nestled in the heart of Dartmoor.

    Explore this project
  • Bright playroom with wooden dining table, chairs, bookshelves, colorful letters on the wall spelling 'PLAY', wall clock, map, potted plants, and child’s artwork displayed.

    Colston Road - Retrofit

    This whole-house retrofit is an exemplar of what can be achieved with an existing building.

    Explore this project
  • The Hutong Cafe sign on building exterior with glass awning.

    The Hutong Cafe - Retrofit

    We did an extensive retrofit on this popular Plymouth cafe and the flat above, achieving Passive House EnerPHIT standard.

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  • Modern living and dining area with exposed wooden ceiling beams, featuring a wooden dining table with chairs, a blue sectional sofa, a purple armchair, a wooden coffee table, and orange pendant lights. The open kitchen highlights orange backsplash and cabinetry. Large windows and indoor plants add brightness and greenery to the space.

    Folleigh - Retrofit

    This extensive retrofit transformed this 1950’s bungalow into a modern, low-energy and open plan home.

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Ready to talk over your listed or period property project?

Give us a call or drop us an email to get the ball rolling on your heritage project. Any initial consultation or site visit is always free and no-obligation.