Your Traditional Building

Traditional buildings (those built before 1919) require regular repair and maintenance using the right skills and materials, to ensure their continued use. There are many useful web resources that can help you identify common problems, and assist you in planning repairs. The Engine Shed (Scotland's building conservation centre) is a good starting point for learning about traditional building conservation.

If you live in a conservation area or a listed building, there are extra steps you need to take to ensure repairs are in accordance with conservation standards, and formal permissions are necessary for any changes to your property. 

Choosing a Contractor

When working with traditional buildings, it is important to take time to choose the right experts for the job. Older buildings are often fragile and require extra care and consideration, to ensure any repair work has a long life span and are sympathetic to the historic fabric of the building. 

Architects and Surveyors

Depending on the size of your project, it may be necessary to work with conservation architects and surveyors who can both carry out a survey of your property to help determine repairs, and project manage repairs on your behalf, if required. This will also be useful if you are experiencing multiple, persistent problems with your house and you are not sure of the cause, 

The Royal Incorporation of Architects of Scotland (RIAS) holds a directory of architectural practices in Scotland, and The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) holds a list of building surveyors. We recommend using architects and surveyors who are conservation accredited. 

Contractors

Contractors will carry out the practical repairs to your building.

There are steps you can take to ensure your contractor has the right type of experience, and is aware of how to work with traditional materials.

• Ask for photos of recent work on a traditional (pre-1919) building
• Ask for references from former clients, and chase these references up yourself
• Ask what relevant training courses they have attended
• Check if they are a member of any professional bodies, or if they have any formal accreditations.  

Upskilling yourself

You may be interested in learning traditional building skills yourself, such as re-pointing with lime mortar. Please get in touch to hear about opportunities we have.