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Renovating an old Cotswold house
Short answer
Most old Cotswold houses have solid stone walls and lime mortar, which must stay breathable. Renovation work on them should use materials that let moisture out. Some work needs building regulations approval, and a listed house needs consent for changes. This page explains the main points and lists Cotswold builders who do renovations.
Firms found on a trade register first, then A to Z.
| Firm | Based in | Does | Checks | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onyx Build LtdLtd company 14498978 | Witney OX28 Covers Witney |
Extensions, Renovations, New builds, Loft conversions, +2 | 01993 670004Website | |
| A. Bartlett General Building LtdLtd company 04980002 | Witney OX28 Covers Witney |
Extensions, New builds, Loft conversions, Kitchens and bathrooms, +1 | 07812 639413Website | |
| C D B Building Services LtdLtd company 05875241 | Tetbury GL8 Covers Tetbury |
Extensions, Garage conversions, New builds, Renovations | 07833 384991 | |
| Cotswold Construction Specialists LtdLtd company 13394489 | Cirencester GL7 Covers Cirencester |
Extensions, Renovations, Kitchens and bathrooms, Groundworks | 07977 939283 | |
| Cotswold Hare Building, Renovations and Carpentry Ltd | Cirencester GL7 Covers Cirencester |
Renovations, Structural repairs, Extensions, Garage conversions, +1 | 07545 503684 | |
| Cotswold Property LimitedLtd company 10705551 | Lechlade GL7 Covers Fairford and Lechlade |
Renovations, Extensions, Loft conversions, Garage conversions | 01451 509380 | |
| Elliott Brothers (Carpentry & Building) LimitedLtd company 07580047 | Tetbury GL8 Covers Tetbury |
Extensions, Loft conversions, New builds, Kitchens and bathrooms | 07786 085928 | |
| Fairway Building Services LimitedLtd company 04850008 | Chipping Norton OX7 Covers Chipping Norton |
Extensions, Loft conversions, New builds, Kitchens and bathrooms | 01608 646662 | |
| Hall Construction LimitedLtd company 04936650 | Burford OX18 Covers Burford |
Renovations, Listed buildings, Commercial | 01993 822110Website | |
| K.J.S. Construction LimitedLtd company 04511049 | Minchinhampton GL6 Covers Nailsworth |
Renovations, Extensions, Cotswold stonework, Groundworks | 01453 889658Website | |
| Monk Building Contractors LtdLtd company 07468045 | Cirencester GL7 Covers Cirencester |
Renovations, Listed buildings, Extensions, Structural repairs, +1 | 07721 429472 | |
| PT Construction (Cotswolds) LtdLtd company 10800029 | Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 Covers Moreton-in-Marsh |
Extensions, Loft conversions, Garage conversions, New builds, +1 | 07475 438938 | |
| Pyments Of Campden LimitedLtd company 01448950 | Chipping Campden GL55 Covers Chipping Campden |
Extensions, New builds, Renovations, Cotswold stonework, +1 | 01386 840233 | |
| Bonner & Milner LtdLtd company 06303033 | Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 Covers Moreton-in-Marsh |
Extensions, Loft conversions, Renovations, Cotswold stonework, +8 | Trading, no register found | 01386 701 261Website |
| Cotswold Building & RoofingLtd company 12550817 | Fairford GL7 Covers Cirencester, Tetbury, Fairford and Lechlade +1 |
New builds, Extensions, Renovations, Cotswold stonework, +3 | Trading, no register found | 07799 350998Website |
| P. L. Allard Building & Roofing LtdLtd company 10700255 | Painswick GL6 Covers Cirencester, Stroud |
Extensions, Loft conversions, Garage conversions, New builds, +10 | Trading, no register found | 01242 383279Website |
No firms match. Clear a filter to see more.
Why old stone houses are different
Old Cotswold houses were built with solid walls of stone and lime. These walls take in moisture and let it dry out again.
Cotswold District Council quotes the Part L guidance on this. It says energy work on these buildings must not cause long-term damage to the fabric. It names stone walls and lime mortar as examples.
Cement render, cement pointing and some modern paints can trap water in the wall. Ask the builder which materials they will use, and why.
Start with repairs
Repair the roof, gutters and drains before you start inside. Many damp problems in old houses come from water getting in from outside.
Cotswold District Council says regular maintenance saves money and reduces waste. Check gutters, pointing, windows and doors.
Structural repairs, such as cracks, failed lintels or bulging walls, need a structural engineer first. Then the builder works to the engineer’s design.
Kitchens, bathrooms and new layouts
A new kitchen or bathroom can need building regulations approval when it adds drainage, a new window or new electrics. Ask the builder who will deal with this.
Removing a wall can need approval too, because the wall may hold up the floor above. A structural engineer should check it first.
Electrical work is often notifiable under Part P. An electrician in a competent person scheme can self-certify it.
Listed houses and conservation areas
A listed house needs listed building consent for work that affects its character, inside or out. This can include removing walls, replacing old windows or changing floors.
Work without consent, where consent is needed, is a criminal offence. Ask the council conservation team before you plan the work.
For a whole-house project with several trades, our network hub, Cotswolds Trades, has a guide to repairing a listed Cotswold cottage. The link is in the sources below.
What to ask a builder
Ask each builder the same questions before you agree a price.
- Which old stone houses have you renovated, and can I see one?
- Will you use lime mortar and breathable materials on the old walls?
- What happens to the price if you find hidden problems?
- Which parts of the job need building regulations approval or consent?
- Who are your subcontractors, and how do you check their work?
Questions
Do I need approval to renovate my house?
It depends on the work. Like-for-like repairs often need no approval. Structural changes, new drainage and many electrical jobs need building regulations approval. A listed house can also need consent.
Why is my old stone wall damp?
There can be many reasons. Common ones are leaking gutters, high ground outside or cement pointing that traps water. Ask a builder with lime experience to find the cause before you treat it.
Should I insulate solid stone walls?
Only with care. The insulation must let the wall dry out. Cotswold District Council says external insulation is rarely acceptable on a listed building, except insulated lime render.
Sources
- Cotswold District Council: Retrofit, before you start
- Cotswold District Council: Retrofit, walls
- Cotswold District Council: Retrofit, maintenance
- Cotswold District Council: Historic building features
- SPAB: Lime renders vs cement renders
- GOV.UK: Building regulations approval
- Cotswold District Council: Find out if you need building regulations approval
- Cotswold District Council: Listed buildings
- Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, section 9