House Renovation — Market Street, Ferryhill

Project Overview

British Builders carried out a full house renovation project at a property on Market Street in Ferryhill, Durham. The property required a major internal and external refurbishment after being stripped back to a poor condition, with exposed brickwork, damaged ceilings, defective wall finishes, worn flooring, outdated services, damp-affected areas and several elements requiring full replacement.

The project was managed as a complete multi-trade renovation rather than a cosmetic refresh. Works included external render painting, flat roof replacement, new windows and doors, damp proofing, demolition, electrical works, plumbing and heating, bathroom installation, plastering and boarding, flooring, decoration, carpentry, site clearance and temporary CCTV.

Externally, the existing render was repainted, the flat roof system was removed and replaced with new timber sheets and a new flat roofing system, and the front PVC door was replaced. Multiple windows and a rear door were also supplied and fitted, with making good around new openings.

Internally, the property was cleared and stripped where required. The wall between the kitchen and dining room was removed, damaged ceilings and defective surfaces were taken back, damp-affected areas were treated, and the house was prepared for new services, plastering and final finishes.

The renovation also included an EICR, electrical upgrade allowance, socket and lighting provision, smoke and heat alarms, bathroom spotlights and fan allowance, plumbing and heating works, boiler connection, radiator installation and additional replacement radiators.

Both bathrooms were included in the refurbishment, with new suites, ceiling insulation and boarding, plastering and tiling. Across the property, ceilings were reboarded, walls were made good, plastering was completed, new internal doors and floorboards were fitted, carpets and underlay were installed, and the full interior was decorated in a light grey finish.

Scope of Work

• Initial site attendance and full property condition review
• Temporary wireless CCTV installation for site security
• Full site clearance, strip-out and waste disposal
• Removal of defective kitchen elements, damaged ceilings and unstable finishes
• Demolition of wall between kitchen and dining room
• External render painting and exterior crack repairs
• Removal and replacement of flat roof system and timber sheets
• Supply and installation of new PVC front door and frame
• Removal and replacement of windows and rear door where required
• Making good and sealing around new external openings
• Damp proofing across multiple rooms
• Removal of defective plaster from damp-affected areas
• Installation of damp proofing systems, membrane and dry zone rod treatment where required
• Electrical inspection and EICR certification
• Allowance for rewiring, sockets, switches, lights and appliance wiring
• Bathroom spotlights, extractor fan allowance, smoke alarms and kitchen heat alarm
• Plumbing and heating works, including boiler and radiator connections
• Additional replacement radiator installation where required
• Downstairs bathroom clearance, new suite fitting, boarding, plastering and tiling
• Upstairs bathroom suite fitting, ceiling boarding, wall boarding, plastering and full tiling
• Reboarding ceilings across living rooms, dining room, staircase, bedrooms, landing and kitchen
• Making good walls with bonding and plasterboard where required
• Plastering to main rooms, staircase, bedrooms, kitchen and landing areas
• Replacement of damaged or missing floorboards
• Installation of new internal doors and finishing carpentry
• Full internal decoration in a light grey finish
• New carpet and underlay supplied and fitted throughout
• Final snagging, adjustments and defect correction

Challenges & Solutions

• Heavily stripped condition — The property had exposed brickwork, damaged ceilings, defective walls and worn finishes. The team cleared, stripped, boarded and plastered the affected areas to rebuild the property room by room.
• Weather protection — Roof works, new windows, rear door and front door replacement were prioritised to improve security and make the building watertight before internal finishing progressed.
• Damp-affected rooms — Defective plaster was removed, damp proofing systems were applied and vulnerable areas were treated before new finishes were installed.
• Service upgrades — Electrical, plumbing and heating works were coordinated with plastering and bathroom installation so wiring, pipework, radiators, alarms, lighting and sockets could be positioned correctly.
• Full multi-trade coordination — Builders, roofers, window installers, damp specialists, electricians, plumbers, heating engineers, plasterers, tilers, carpenters, decorators and flooring installers were managed as one renovation programme.

Current Progress

The renovation is currently in progress, with the property being upgraded across almost every major area, including the exterior, roof, windows, doors, internal structure, walls, ceilings, floors, bathrooms, heating, plumbing, electrics and decoration.

British Builders are managing the project as a complete refurbishment rather than isolated repair work. Everything that can reasonably be repaired is being repaired, and anything beyond repair is being replaced as part of the wider renovation plan.

Once complete, the property will have renewed windows and doors, a replacement flat roof, improved damp protection, reboarded and plastered ceilings, refreshed walls, upgraded services, improved heating, new flooring, fresh decoration and final snagging throughout.

Client Feedback

“British Builders handled a large renovation package across the property, including roofing, windows, doors, damp proofing, electrical works, plumbing, heating, bathrooms, plastering, flooring and decoration. The works were well organised and the property is being brought back to a much better standard.” – Property Client