Barn conversionsin Torquay & surrounding areas
Turn a redundant agricultural building into a sound, liveable home. We handle the structural repair, groundworks and shell so the character survives and the building lasts.
- Director: 18 years' trade experience
- 11+ years trading in South Devon
- 1-year indemnity-backed guarantee
- Public liability insured
- City & Guilds bricklaying & carpentry
Converting a barn without losing what makes it special
A barn conversion turns an agricultural or traditional building (a stone barn, linhay, cart shed or outbuilding) into a home, holiday let or annexe. South Devon and the South Hams have hundreds of these buildings, and a good conversion is one of the most rewarding builds there is.
Our barn conversions are for owners who have their plans and consents in place and need a contractor that understands old structures. Traditional buildings were never designed for modern loads, insulation or living, so the work is mainly structural.
You'll need professional help as soon as the building has to carry new floors, a new roof or new openings. Walls may lack proper foundations, roof timbers may be decayed, and stonework may need rebuilding before anything else can happen.
We complete conversions of agricultural and traditional buildings from groundworks through to the structural shell. Groundworks, masonry and structural carpentry are done by our in-house team, and specialist trades are brought in through the company when the shell is ready.
The risks hidden in an old building
Barns look solid, but most of the risk sits in the parts you can't see until the work starts.
Shallow or missing foundations
Many traditional barns sit on shallow footings. Adding loads without addressing them can cause settlement and cracking in walls you're trying to save.
Decayed timbers
Roof trusses, purlins and lintels may be rotten or damaged by insects. Leaving them in place risks sagging roofs and failed openings.
Damp in solid walls
Solid stone walls need careful detailing so moisture can escape. The wrong approach traps water and damages both the walls and the new interior.
Budget surprises
Without an experienced structural survey of the work, hidden defects turn into expensive variations halfway through.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating a barn conversion like a new build and budgeting accordingly.
- Removing original fabric that the consent requires you to keep.
- Leaving structural repairs until after the internal layout is fixed.
- Hiring a fit-out team before the structure has been made sound.
Our barn conversions process
Step 1
Send your plans
Share your approved drawings and any structural calculations. We'll arrange a free site visit.
Step 2
Clear written price
You get a written quote for the work, with any fit-out priced separately if you want it.
Step 3
Structural repair and shell
We carry out the groundworks, strengthen or underpin walls where needed, rebuild masonry, replace structural timbers and form new openings to create a sound, weathertight shell.
Step 4
Building Control liaison
We can liaise directly with Building Control officers on site where inspections are required.
Step 5
Completion and guarantee
We hand over the finished work, covered by our 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee.
What you get with JB Carpentry and Building
Structure first
Our focus is the ground and the structure, the stages that decide whether a conversion lasts.
Groundworks to roof
Foundations, drainage, masonry and roof structure are handled by our in-house team.
Engineer-led decisions
We work with your architect and structural engineer so repairs are specified, not guessed.
Building Control on site
We liaise directly with Building Control officers through each stage.
Flexible handover
We can manage the fit-out or hand the shell to your own trades.
Guaranteed workmanship
A 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee covers completed work.
Barn conversion structure in detail
Traditional buildings need a different approach to new builds. These are the structural areas that come up most often.
Foundations and underpinning
Where existing walls have inadequate foundations, underpinning or new internal foundations may be needed to carry new floors and loads. This is often specified by the structural engineer after trial holes.
Stonework and masonry
Devon barns are commonly built in local stone, cob or brick. Repairs may include rebuilding sections of wall, repointing, forming new openings with proper lintels and tying walls together where they've moved.
Roof structure
Existing roof timbers are assessed, repaired or replaced, and the roof built up to take insulation and a new covering. Steel or timber frames may be introduced to support upper floors without overloading old walls.
Ground floors and drainage
Earth or concrete barn floors are usually dug out and replaced with an insulated, damp-proofed floor. New drainage, including septic tanks on rural sites without mains sewers, is planned at the same stage.
Homes, holiday lets and annexes
The structural principles are the same whether the barn becomes a family home, a holiday let or an annexe, though the layout and Building Regulations requirements can differ. Your architect's drawings set out which apply.
Related services
Based at 156 Newton Road, Torquay, Devon. Barn Conversions across Torquay, Paignton, Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, South Hams, Teignbridge.
Planning your barn conversions project
Start with approved drawings
We work primarily from existing client plans, so the best time to contact us about barn conversions is once your architect's drawings and any planning consent are in place. Drawings fix the size, layout and specification, which helps us define the scope of the quote; any assumptions or changes should be agreed for your project. If your engineer has produced structural calculations, include them too; they set the foundation sizes, steel sections and fixings we'll build to.
Working with your architect and engineer
We regularly work alongside client architects and structural engineers. When a question comes up on site (an unexpected drain, softer ground than expected, or an existing wall that isn't what the drawings assumed), we can discuss it with your designer before proceeding and agree any necessary changes.
Building Control from first dig to sign-off
Most structural work needs Building Regulations approval and inspections at key stages, such as foundation excavations, damp-proof courses, drainage and structural elements before they're covered. We liaise directly with Building Control officers on site throughout the build, where required; inspection timing and approval depend on the relevant Building Control body.
Shell handover or full finish
Our core strength is the ground, the structure and the watertight shell. Once that's complete you have a choice: we can price and manage the internal fit-out (kitchens, bathrooms, doors, decorating) through our vetted specialist trades, or we can hand over at the shell stage so you can bring in your own finishing trades and control that part of the budget yourself. Either way, the structure your finishes sit on has been built by one accountable team.
Building in South Devon conditions
Site conditions vary across South Devon. Sloping plots, restricted access, existing drains, coastal exposure and older structures may affect your barn conversions project. Your architect or engineer can specify the measures required, and we can discuss the site conditions and agreed scope when preparing a quote.
What happens after you get in touch
Call Jake or send your drawings through the contact page. We'll look over the plans, arrange a free site visit at a time that suits you, Monday to Saturday, and walk the site with you to understand access, ground conditions and how you want the project finished. You'll then receive a clear, written quote setting out what's included, so you can compare it properly and decide with confidence.
One team, managed start to finish
A core in-house team of six handles groundworks, brickwork, blockwork and structural carpentry, growing to as many as 15 with long-standing subcontractors on larger projects. Director Jake Brown brings 18 years of hands-on trade experience and the company has been trading across South Devon for over 11 years. You get one point of contact, clear communication and strict quality control on every stage.
Want to know more about the team? Read about us or go back to the homepage.
Barn Conversions questions
Got your plans?Get a clear price.
Free site visit and a written quote. Director Jake Brown brings 18 years of trade experience. All completed work carries a 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee.