Project Overview

The Challenge:

The Lodge is a historic structure located in the southwest corner of the United Kingdom. This stunning historical building has been affected by recurring maintenance issues for decades. Tenants frequently informed the freeholders of roof leaks and general wear and tear, notably heat inefficiency due to single-glazed windows. The real challenge was that the freeholder did not want the renovations to affect the building’s appearance, so we had to use specific materials to preserve the building’s heritage appearance.

Additional wear and tear damage was caused by plaster cracks created by missing roof tiles in numerous locations, cracked gutters, and rotted roof joists. Therefore, after extensive investigation and consultation with the property owners, British Builders was instructed to begin the project.

The Solution:

It was decided to entirely replace the building’s roofing structure and cover the new roof with slate tiles from the North that were imported nationally. We had to import roof tiles from specific merchant suppliers in the city of Sheffield and deliver them to the construction site because, according to a local merchant supplier, the old tiles were discontinued over 20 years ago.

Additionally, the new windows had to be made specifically to fit the building’s unusually sized window apertures. The entire property’s rooms, corridors, and bathrooms must be protected with the greatest level of precautions, as it would be extremely difficult to restore or replace anything that gets damaged due to the historical significance of the building
Orders were placed for roof timberwood, slate tiles, waterproofing Sika materials, drainage pipes, gutters & downpipes, new windows, plasterboard, loft insulation and decoration materials. The following construction jobs were carried out during the course of this project:

The removal of the pre-existing roof entirely and installed new roof timber joists, felt and slate tiles in accordance with Sika specifications.
Supplied and installed new guttering and downpipes
Rewired the entire building (Due to discovered fault finding during work) and installed new switch outlets.
Replaced the entire building’s windows with new double glazed windows to improve heat efficiency
Carried out plastering and painting work throughout the entire building including 2 ceilings replacement in lounge and bathrooms and including major repair to cracks covering the ceilings and walls.

Completion:

The Penzance renovation project completed two days ahead of schedule, and the client authorised
the work. In addition, the freeholders were so pleased with British Builders that they asked us to complete a similar project for a second building in the same neighbourhood.