Property refurbishmentsin Torquay & surrounding areas
Bring a tired or neglected property back to life. We tackle the structural upgrades first, then manage the trades through to the finish you want.
- Director: 18 years' trade experience
- 11+ years trading in South Devon
- 1-year indemnity-backed guarantee
- Public liability insured
- City & Guilds bricklaying & carpentry
Refurbishment that starts with the structure
A refurbishment brings an existing property up to date: repairing defects, upgrading the structure, reconfiguring rooms and renewing finishes. It might be a whole house you've just bought or a long-overdue overhaul of the home you've lived in for years.
Our refurbishments are for owners who want the work managed properly from start to finish, particularly where the project involves structural upgrades as well as new finishes.
Refurbishment is usually needed when a property has outdated layouts, failing structural elements, damp, or simply hasn't been updated in decades. It's also common before a sale or after a purchase.
What separates a good refurbishment from a cosmetic one is fixing the structure before covering it up. Our core team handles the structural and building work, while plumbing, electrics, plastering and finishing trades are managed through vetted subcontractors working through the company.
The cost of decorating over problems
Unresolved structural issues can damage new finishes later.
Hidden defects resurface
Damp, rot and structural cracks come back through new plaster and decoration.
Paying twice
Finishes have to be removed to fix problems that should have been dealt with first.
Trades clashing
Without coordination, plumbers, electricians and plasterers work out of sequence, causing delays and damage.
Unclear responsibility
When several contractors are involved, problems fall between them.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Prioritising kitchens and bathrooms before structural repairs.
- Managing a dozen separate trades yourself.
- Not checking whether alterations need Building Control approval.
- Underestimating how much an older property needs.
Our refurbishments 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 upgrades and managed trades
We carry out structural repairs and alterations first, then coordinate vetted specialist trades (plumbing, electrics, plastering and finishes) in the right sequence.
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
Problems fixed, not hidden
Structural issues are dealt with before any finishes go on.
One point of contact
We manage the whole project, including specialist subcontractors.
Right order, less disruption
We coordinate specialist trades to help reduce clashes and avoidable rework. Timing depends on the agreed scope and site conditions.
Choose your scope
We can price the full fit-out or hand over to your own finishing trades.
Building Control handled
We liaise with Building Control where alterations require it.
Guaranteed workmanship
A 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee covers completed work.
What a refurbishment can include
Every refurbishment is shaped by the property. These are the elements that most often come together.
Structural repairs and upgrades
Replacing failed lintels, repairing cracked masonry, strengthening floors, removing or altering walls, and addressing foundation issues where needed.
Reconfiguring layouts
Opening up rooms, moving doorways and creating new spaces such as en-suites or utility rooms, often involving steels or new partitions.
Roofs and weatherproofing
Repairing or replacing roof structures and coverings, including rubber flat roofing as approved installers, to make the building watertight.
Services and finishes
Plumbing, electrics, plastering and specialist finishing trades are managed through vetted subcontractors. Kitchens, bathrooms, doors and decorating can be priced, or left to your own trades.
Older and period properties
Torquay and the surrounding towns have many Victorian and older properties. These often need sympathetic structural repair rather than a modern-house approach.
Related services
Based at 156 Newton Road, Torquay, Devon. Refurbishments across Torquay, Paignton, Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, South Hams, Teignbridge.
Planning your refurbishments project
Start with approved drawings
We work primarily from existing client plans, so the best time to contact us about refurbishments 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 refurbishments 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.
Refurbishments 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.