Our services
Renovations & Refurbishment in Bodmin& Cornwall
Whole-house refurbishment and sympathetic period property restoration — bringing tired and older Cornish homes back to life.
Bringing older Cornish homes back to life
Cornwall has some of the most characterful housing stock in the country — and some of the most demanding to renovate well. A tired 1970s house and a 200-year-old granite cottage need completely different approaches, and treating them the same is how good intentions cause lasting damage. We work with the building you've actually got.
Why solid-wall properties need lime, not cement
This is the single most important thing to get right on an older Cornish home. Cottages built from granite, killas stone or cob were built to breathe: moisture moves into and out of the wall, and the traditional lime mortars and plasters let it do so. When those are replaced with modern cement renders and gypsum plaster — as they often were in the late 20th century — the moisture gets trapped, and the result is damp, blown plaster and rotting timber. We use breathable lime-based mortars, plasters and renders on solid-wall properties so the fabric can perform the way it was designed to.
Whole-house refurbishment, sensibly phased
Taking on an entire house is a major project. We set out a clear scope from the start and, where it suits your budget, a logical order of works — first-fix services like wiring and plumbing done while walls are open, then insulation appropriate to the construction, then finishes. Some things are genuinely cheaper done all at once; we'll tell you which, rather than encouraging a piecemeal approach that costs more in the long run.
Expect the unexpected — and deal with it honestly
Older homes keep secrets. Strip back a wall or lift a floor and you may find damp, a failed lintel, woodworm, or a previous "repair" that created more problems than it solved. We'd rather find these things and fix them properly than hide them behind new plaster. Whenever we uncover something, we explain what it is, what it'll cost to put right, and what happens if it's left — then you decide.
Modern comfort in an old building
Renovation isn't only about repair. It's about making an older home warm, efficient and pleasant to live in — better insulation, sorted-out ventilation to manage condensation, a new kitchen or bathroom — done in a way that respects how the building works rather than fighting it.
How we work
The renovations & refurbishment process
- 01
Survey & honest assessment
We start by working out what the property actually needs. With older homes that means understanding how it was built — solid stone, cob or cavity — because that dictates the right repairs.
- 02
Scope, phasing & fixed price
A whole-house refurb is a big undertaking, so we set out a clear scope and, where it helps your budget, a sensible order of works — then price it in writing.
- 03
Strip-out & the hidden problems
Once we open things up, older properties often reveal damp, failed lintels or previous poor repairs. We deal with these properly rather than papering over them.
- 04
Fabric repairs & services
Structural repairs, re-wiring and re-plumbing as needed, insulation appropriate to the wall type, and — on solid-wall homes — breathable lime plasters and renders rather than cement.
- 05
Finishes & handover
Joinery, plastering, flooring and decoration to bring it all together, finished to a standard we're happy to guarantee.
Common questions
Renovations & Refurbishment: your questions answered
Older Cornish cottages built from granite, killas or cob were designed to breathe and manage moisture through the wall. Sealing them with modern cement renders and gypsum plasters traps that moisture and causes damp and decay. We use lime mortars, plasters and breathable build-ups suited to solid-wall construction.
Where we do this work
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Ready to build something that lasts?