Ashburton is one of the jewels of the South Hams, famous for its historic stannary status and a stunning array of period architecture that ranges from medieval timber frames to elegant Georgian facades. Owning a period property here is a source of great pride, but it also brings a specific set of challenges. When you are dealing with centuries-old masonry and heritage timber, you need a builder who understands that “new” isn’t always “better.”
Hi, I’m Steve, owner of South Devon Construction. I’m Devon born and bred, and I’ve spent over 25 years in the building trade. I started my career as a labourer, so I know the hard graft required to restore an old building from the ground up. Today, I combine that experience with a Level 7 Diploma in Construction Management. At South Devon Construction, our work is guided by traditional Devon values of honesty and integrity, ensuring your Ashburton home is revitalised with the respect it deserves.
The Golden Rule: Work With the Building, Not Against It
The biggest mistake I see in period renovations is the use of modern, non-breathable materials. Victorian and Georgian homes in Ashburton were designed to “breathe.” When modern cement renders or gypsum plasters are applied to old stone walls, they trap moisture, leading to damp and damage to the original masonry.
We specialise in traditional masonry work and the use of lime mortars. Lime is flexible and breathable, allowing moisture to evaporate naturally. My background in Quantity Surveying means I can help you plan these essential heritage repairs accurately, ensuring your budget is spent on materials that will actually protect the structural integrity of your home for the next hundred years.
Structural Integrity in Heritage Homes
Period properties often have “settled” over the centuries. While a bit of character is part of the charm, significant cracks or sagging floors can indicate deeper issues. Because I’ve seen a lot of builds, I know how to identify the difference between a house “stretching its legs” and a genuine structural failure.
Whether it’s replacing a rotten oak lintel or carrying out sensitive groundworks to stabilise a foundation, we offer a tailor-made approach. We use a small team of local professional tradesmen who understand the nuances of Ashburton’s historic building stock. We strive to exceed expectations by ensuring that every structural fix is invisible to the eye but rock-solid in performance.
Modern Comforts in a Historic Setting
The real trick to a successful renovation is integrating modern comforts—like high-efficiency heating or luxury bathrooms—without losing the period feel. We can act as your Principle Contractors to manage the installation of discreet modern services. This might include hidden underfloor heating that works perfectly with traditional flagstone floors or sensitive leadwork repairs to ensure your heritage roof is completely watertight.
A Seamless and Stress-Free Construction Experience
Renovating in a town like Ashburton often requires working closely with conservation officers and Building Control. At South Devon Construction, we provide a seamless experience by managing these relationships for you. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and our ability to deliver quality results that honor the building’s history while making it a comfortable place for modern life.
We cover a 10-mile radius from Newton Abbot, and Ashburton is one of our favourite places to work. We treat every period property as a unique project, applying 25 years of experience to ensure the “hard graft” we put in today preserves the town’s architectural legacy for tomorrow.
Are you ready to breathe new life into your Ashburton period home?
I’d love to visit your property and share an honest, professional perspective on how to approach your renovation. I can help you identify original features worth saving and structural areas that need a specialist’s touch.
Would you like me to conduct a “heritage health check” on your property to discuss how we can improve its comfort while maintaining its historic character?