With over 30 years of experience, Jack and his team of experts handle a wide range of projects. Our expertise spans diverse sectors such as education, new builds, social housing, and specialist works. Whether it's a major construction endeavor or a minor repair job, we are committed to delivering the same high level of service and quality. Our dedication to exceptional craftsmanship and customer satisfaction is the foundation of our operations, reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence in every job we undertake.
The UK is home to some amazing listed buildings, and we are firm believers in them being preserved and celebrated. Just like any other building, though, they can develop issues that need to be addressed. That is where things can get a little tricky. There are so many rules and regulations surrounding repairs and alterations for listed buildings that it can be difficult to even know where to start. That is where we come in! We are experienced providers of heritage building repairs and know our stuff when it comes to working on listed properties. Here is everything you need to know.
The grade matters
When a building is granted listed status by Historic England, it will be assigned a grade, and this can massively impact what kind of work can be carried out on it. The different grades are as follows:
- Grade I: these are buildings of exceptional interest
- Grade II*: these are particularly important buildings of more than special interest
- Grade II: these are buildings of special interest.
Grade 1 properties are the rarest, followed by Grade II*. The most common by far is Grade II, with around 91.7% of all listed buildings falling into this class. It is also the most likely grade of listing for a homeowner.
What kind of work can you carry out?
Buildings that are Grade I or II* listed are subject to much tighter restrictions when it comes to alterations and repairs, but we have worked on many sites where that has been granted. Things are a little less restrictive when it comes to Grade II properties, but you will still need to seek permission when carrying out the following kinds of alterations and repairs:
- Anything that affects the layout of rooms, walls, chimneys, partitions and stairs
- Removing, replacing or covering historic decoration, fixtures or fittings
- Alterations to any boundary walls
- Extensions
- Insulation
- New heating systems
- Any painting that affects historic surfaces (exterior and interior)
- Replacement windows
- Re-pointing
- Demolishing part of or the entirety of a listed building or changing its use
Are there any alterations and repairs that don’t require permission?
There are some cases where consent may not be required. If you are using like-for-like materials and the character of the building is not going to be affected, then you may not need consent when it comes to things like repairs to sash windows or replacing modern kitchen fittings. With our extensive experience using appropriate techniques and materials, we are your perfect partners in this.
Communication and honesty are key
We recommend seeking permission for any work that you want to carry out on a listed property. Be honest about the extent of the work you are planning and provide as much detail as possible. Don’t worry, we can advise you on this. It may turn out that consent wasn’t required, but it is always best to double-check and avoid the costly fallout that can come from falling foul of listed building relations.
Talk to us
To find out more about our experience with heritage building repairs, please get in touch with our team today.
