Home renovations in Stroud and Gloucestershire

Removing or part-removing a wall between a kitchen and dining room, or between two reception rooms, is one of the most effective renovations you can make. Where the wall is load-bearing, a structural engineer designs a beam and supports to carry the loads above, and the work is carried out under building regulations.

Taking out a wall also affects heating, electrics, flooring and sometimes plumbing, so these are planned together. Done well, the result is a brighter space that is easier to live in and links better with the garden.

Many homes in Stroud and the Cotswolds are built in local stone with solid walls, and many older brick houses across the county have similar construction. These walls manage moisture differently from modern cavity walls. Using breathable materials such as lime mortar and lime plaster where appropriate, and avoiding finishes that trap moisture, helps keep older houses dry and healthy.

Older homes have often been altered several times. Part of a good renovation is understanding what is original, what has been added and what needs putting right, before deciding what to change.

If you have bought a home that needs work, it is usually best to tackle the structural and messy jobs first, before decorating or fitting a new kitchen. Removing walls, forming new openings, rewiring and replastering all create dust and disruption, and doing them together in a planned sequence saves time and avoids redoing finished work.

Many people combine a renovation with a house extension, so the new space and the reworked existing rooms are designed as one plan.

It is often possible to live in a house while it is renovated, particularly if the work can be divided into areas. Dust sheets, temporary protection and clear areas for living help, but there will be times when part of the house is out of use. We talk through the order of work with you so you know what to expect and when.

Renovating a listed building may need listed building consent, even for internal changes such as removing walls or altering original features. In conservation areas, external changes may need planning permission. If your home is in either, it is worth getting advice before work is planned in detail.