Seeking builder with experience of old properties

[Amanda]

:?:
Hello all...I've just moved into a beautiful cottage, roughly 200 years old in Fincham, Norfolk. The house needs some TLC and I am desperate to find a builder who has experience with older homes who will help me. There's nothing too serious..a bit of damp, squeaky floorboards, sagging floors, moving stud walls, rebuilding of chimney stacks etc but I need someone who wont stand there scratching their heads or who want to use unsympathetic methods. I have looked through various directories and I have asked around locally but because I'm new to the area, things are prooving to be a bit difficult.

If anyone can help, I would be very grateful.

 

[NT]

but I need someone who wont stand there scratching their heads

thats the trouble with those alien builders


NT

 

[Jocelyn]

Hey, we are not aliens up here in Narfolk!

 

[NT]

No, but I reckon the ones with more than one head probably are.

NT

 

[middi]

Nice to hear that you intend to use traditional methods to restore your cottage, just as well otherwise it would not be restoration.

If you speak to your local planning department or the CO they will probably put you in touch with you nearest conservation group where you can gain good information regarding suitable builders and materials.

Unfortunately the type of builder you are looking for is a dying breed, this is why a lot of the contributors on this site tend to find out as much as possible about traditional building methods, so that they can either do the job themselves, or if they employ the average builder they can explain with some confidence how they want the job done and what naterials to use. You shoul start by reading books on the subject and join the SPAB

You did not mention if your cottage is listed or not, if it is you should make sure that you have approval for alterations etc.... Obviously you intend to do the work sympathetically and you mentioned the rebuilding of chimney, it is very rare that a 200 yr old chimney needs rebuilding, usually repointing and replacing of the odd spalled bricks is all that is required. If you are not sure about how it should be done or the correct materials to be used, it may be better if you speak to a conservation architect and get advise on this and any other repairs or alterations.

Good luck.