Underfloor heating can be an appealing addition to an old stone house. It provides gentle, even warmth without filling rooms with modern radiators and can be particularly attractive beneath stone or tiled floors. However, installing it in an older property is not as simple as choosing a system and laying it beneath the floor. Traditional…

Anyone who has lived in an old stone house will understand how uncomfortable draughts can be. Cold air around windows, gaps beneath doors and chilly floors can make a property difficult and expensive to heat. It is understandable that homeowners want to seal these gaps and keep more warmth inside. However, making a traditional building…

Opening two smaller rooms into one larger space can transform how a home feels. Perhaps you want to create a kitchen-diner, bring more natural light into the centre of the property or make an older layout work better for modern family life. In an ordinary house, removing an internal wall is often mainly a structural…

Pointing might look like a small detail, but on an old stone building, it plays an important role in how the whole wall manages moisture. Many traditional properties were originally built using lime mortar. Over the years, some have been repointed with modern cement because it appears strong and weatherproof. Unfortunately, stronger does not always…

Cob buildings are an important part of Devon’s architectural heritage. When properly maintained using compatible materials, cob walls can remain strong and healthy for hundreds of years. However, cob behaves very differently from modern brick or blockwork. Applying the wrong render or paint can prevent the wall from managing moisture naturally, leading to cracking, trapped…

On-Call Property Support in Devon: One Trusted Contractor Whenever You Need Us Owning or managing a property often means dealing with unexpected repairs, ongoing maintenance and the challenge of finding reliable tradespeople at short notice. For listed and period properties, it can be even more difficult. Older buildings often require specialist knowledge, suitable materials and…

Old stone houses have plenty of character, but they can also feel cold, draughty and difficult to heat. It is understandable that many homeowners start looking at insulation as a way to make their property more comfortable. The concern is that insulating an older building in the wrong way can trap moisture inside the walls…

Extending an older property can be a brilliant way to create more space, improve the way your home works, and make it better suited to modern living. But when the property is listed, period, traditional or full of character, the process needs to be handled with more care. The goal is not just to add…

There is something special about a period home that is not seen so much anymore. It might be the uneven stone walls, an original fireplace, old floorboards with a few hundred years of character, deep windows, exposed beams or the shape of a handmade staircase. These details are often the reason people fall in love…

Thinking about extending your home is exciting. It is often the point where a house starts to feel more suited to the way you actually live, whether that means a bigger kitchen, more family space, a utility room, an extra bedroom or a better connection to the garden. But before drawings are finalised or building…

Buying an Older Property in Devon? Why a Pre-Purchase Building Works Estimate Is Worth Arranging Older homes often have a character that newer properties simply cannot recreate. Stone walls, timber beams, original fireplaces, slate roofs, cob, lime plaster and handmade details can make a property feel full of history and potential. But older buildings can…

Older homes have a character that is almost impossible to recreate. From stone cottages and cob walls to listed buildings, barns and period properties, Devon is full of buildings with history, charm and traditional craftsmanship. But older properties also need a different approach when it comes to repair, renovation and maintenance. One of the most…

Older buildings were designed to breathe. Traditional materials such as lime, cob, stone and solid brickwork allow moisture to pass naturally through the building. Many homeowners unknowingly repair older properties using cement-based renders and mortars. While these methods are suitable for modern buildings, in an older building, using modern solutions can create problems for our…

Hello, Steve here from Quoin and Oak Construction. After nearly 25 years working with Devon's beautiful old buildings, I've learned that one of the biggest hurdles people face isn't actually the work itself – it's taking that first step and getting a proper understanding of what their project might involve. I completely understand the hesitation.…

Steve here from Quoin and Oak Construction. You know, one of the things I love most about being based in South Devon is the sheer variety of heritage buildings we get to work on. Every town and village has its own character, its own building traditions, and its own stories to tell through the properties…

Steve here from Quoin and Oak Construction. I need to have a frank conversation with you about something I see far too often – people trying to save money on heritage restoration by going with the cheapest estimate, only to end up spending far more down the line fixing problems that shouldn't have happened in…