Ager Building services LTD

Ager Building services LTD Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Ager Building services LTD, Construction Company, 21 Hawthorn Road, Durham.

Builders, House Extensions, Structural alterations , Garage conversions, kitchen installation, re-pointing & Bricklaying in Durham, Sunderland, Washington, Chester le Street,Houghton le spring and more.

That enormous pile of muck came out of the footings for a porch we built last year. Just a porch and some driveway level...
27/08/2026

That enormous pile of muck came out of the footings for a porch we built last year. Just a porch and some driveway levelling. You genuinely cannot comprehend how much waste a building project generates until you see it all in one place.

Waste removal is a significant part of almost every job we do, and it is one of those costs that homeowners often do not factor in when getting quotes. If a quote looks suspiciously cheap, it is worth asking how they plan to deal with the waste.

Here is something a lot of people do not know: if a trader takes your waste away without a proper waste carrier permit and fly tips it somewhere, the waste can sometimes be traced back to the address it came from. That means you could be facing a hefty fine for something you had no idea was happening.

It is a simple thing to protect yourself from. Before any trade removes waste from your property, just ask to see a copy of their waste carrier permit. Any legitimate, professional contractor will have one and will be happy to show you.

We are fully permitted and handle all waste disposal properly on every project. It is just part of doing the job right.

If you have a project coming up and want to make sure everything is handled correctly from start to finish, give us a message.

A customer actually said this to us once.We smiled and got on with it. But it did get us thinking: most homeowners proba...
25/08/2026

A customer actually said this to us once.

We smiled and got on with it. But it did get us thinking: most homeowners probably have no idea what actually goes into a wall removal, especially a double RSJ installation like this one.

So here is what is really involved:

Before a single brick comes down, a structural engineer needs to assess the wall and calculate the size and specification of the steel beam required to carry the load above. Without this, you are guessing — and guessing wrong with a load-bearing wall can have serious consequences.

Once the steel is specified and on site, temporary supports have to go in to hold up the structure while the wall is removed. The wall comes down carefully, the steel beam is lifted into place (a double RSJ like this one is not light), and padstones are set to transfer the load correctly onto the remaining walls.

Then comes the making good — plastering, any electrical or plumbing that was running through the wall, and getting everything back to a finish.

So yes, it is a wall removal. But behind that is a structural engineer, building control sign-off, temporary propping, steelwork, and a team who know exactly what they are doing.

This project in particular opened up a fantastic space. Totally worth it — just not quite as simple as it sounds.

If you are thinking about opening up your home, give us a message and we will walk you through what is involved.

First fix joinery — you might have heard the term, but what does it actually mean and who is responsible for it?First fi...
22/08/2026

First fix joinery — you might have heard the term, but what does it actually mean and who is responsible for it?

First fix is the initial stage of structural timber work on a project. That includes stud walls, floor joists, and staircases — all the framework that gets built before plastering begins and other trades follow on. It has to be done correctly because everything else is built around it.

Here is where it gets important for homeowners: most trades need to come back to site multiple times to complete their work in stages.

When this is managed well, the project flows smoothly. When it is not, it can become a real headache. If you are trying to coordinate multiple tradespeople yourself, or if your builder has overcommitted and stretched their team too thin, you can end up with different businesses trying to align their diaries and it only takes one trade running behind to bring the whole project to a standstill. Projects that should take weeks can drag on for months.

This is exactly why having a single point of contact matters. We manage every stage and every trade on your behalf, so you never have to chase anyone or wonder what is happening next.

If you want a project that runs on time and without the stress, give us a message.

We're revisiting one of our favourite past projects this week — a kitchen transformation in Durham City that we're still...
20/08/2026

We're revisiting one of our favourite past projects this week — a kitchen transformation in Durham City that we're still really proud of.

Our customer wanted to turn a narrow galley kitchen into a light, airy L-shaped kitchen dining room. The kind of space where you actually want to spend time. To make it happen, the job included RSJ installation to remove the wall between the two rooms, a full kitchen fit, and new flooring throughout.

We managed everything from start to finish. All she had to do was choose her kitchen design, then sit back and relax while we took care of the rest. Even the dogs approved — they had plenty of extra people to fuss over them throughout the build. 🐾

This is exactly what we mean when we say stress-free from start to finish. If you have a project like this in mind, drop us a message and we'll talk it through.

Ever wondered what that piece of kit is called when walls are being supported during building work? Meet the Strongboy.A...
15/08/2026

Ever wondered what that piece of kit is called when walls are being supported during building work? Meet the Strongboy.

A Strongboy is a heavy-duty steel attachment that fits onto a standard Acrow prop. Together, they temporarily support brickwork and masonry walls while structural alterations are being carried out.

Without proper temporary support in place, there is a very real risk of the structure above shifting or collapsing. It sounds dramatic, but it happens when the wrong people are doing the work.

This is exactly why it matters who you hire for structural work. A competent builder will know which temporary supports are needed, how to position them correctly, and how to carry out the work safely. They will also be fully insured, so if anything unexpected does happen, you are protected.

Before you book anyone for structural alterations, always ask to see their public liability insurance and check they have the relevant experience. Do not be afraid to ask questions. A builder worth their salt will be happy to explain exactly what they are doing and why.

We are CHAS accredited, fully insured, and happy to talk you through every step. If you have a structural project coming up, drop us a message.

A house extension could be the answer, and it might be more straightforward than you think.One thing that surprises a lo...
13/08/2026

A house extension could be the answer, and it might be more straightforward than you think.

One thing that surprises a lot of homeowners: smaller extensions can fall under permitted development, which means no planning permission needed. It's always worth checking before you assume it's out of reach.

Budget worries are the other big thing that puts people off. Totally understandable. But when you're working out the numbers, it's important to factor in everything alongside the build itself: the architect, building control, structural engineer, and those all-important finishing touches. Getting that full picture from the start means no nasty surprises down the line.

The good news is we can help with all of it. We work with trusted design teams who will look after you properly, and they can even arrange building control on your behalf, so you're not left trying to manage multiple people at once.

If you've been thinking about extending but haven't known where to start, drop us a message. We'll walk you through it.

Sometimes the hardest part of a job happens before we even pick up a trowel.This Durham homeowner wanted to raise their ...
11/08/2026

Sometimes the hardest part of a job happens before we even pick up a trowel.

This Durham homeowner wanted to raise their garden wall for extra privacy, which sounds straightforward enough. But there's a challenge that catches a lot of people out: once a housing estate is built, the brick manufacturer often discontinues that exact brick. With thousands of different bricks out there, all varying in size, colour, and texture, finding a match can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Del did his research, tracked down the original brick name, and sourced it. The result? A seamless finish you'd never know had been extended.

This is what good building work actually looks like: yes, there's the craft on site, but there's just as much thought and research happening behind the scenes before we get there. That's the bit that makes the difference.

If you've got a project in mind and you're not sure where to start, give us a call. We'll figure it out together.

It's the sandy hard stuff holding your bricks together, and most people never think about it until something goes wrong....
08/08/2026

It's the sandy hard stuff holding your bricks together, and most people never think about it until something goes wrong.

When it's in good condition, it does its job silently.

The water finds its way into the tiny gaps. When temperatures drop and it freezes, it expands. That expansion forces the joints wider, pushes against the bricks themselves, and over time causes cracking, spalling and loose bricks. Left long enough, what started as a small repair job can turn into a much bigger, more expensive problem.

This applies to your house walls, chimney stacks, garden walls, anywhere you have brickwork exposed to the elements.

If you've got brickwork that looks tired, cracked, or has gaps appearing in the joints, it's worth getting it checked now rather than leaving it to face another winter.

Have you noticed brickwork sagging or cracking above a garage door, window or door? Or had a homebuyers survey come back...
06/08/2026

Have you noticed brickwork sagging or cracking above a garage door, window or door? Or had a homebuyers survey come back with the dreaded words... "possible subsidence"?

Don't panic. You might just have missing or defective lintels - and it's a more straightforward fix than you'd think.

This happens when older, more robust materials like wooden windows get replaced with PVC alternatives. The original materials helped support the brickwork, so lintels weren't always needed. Swap those out and suddenly the brickwork has nothing holding it up.

A properly fitted lintel is a relatively low cost fix that makes all the difference. If you've spotted something that's worrying you, give us a call - we're always happy to take a look and put your mind at rest.

We have finished something we're really proud of in Sunderland. A full side extension, rear extension, breakthrough and ...
05/08/2026

We have finished something we're really proud of in Sunderland.

A full side extension, rear extension, breakthrough and kitchen installation for a couple who wanted a proper open plan kitchen and dining room. From breaking ground right through to the last stroke of the paintbrush, we managed every stage ourselves, including the flooring.

This is exactly what we love doing. One team, one point of contact, managing the whole project from start to finish so the homeowners didn't have to chase anyone or worry about a thing.

The result? A beautiful open plan space that's completely changed how they live in their home.

If you're thinking about an extension,, or kitchen installation in the Durham or Sunderland area, we'd love to chat. Drop us a message or give Hannah a call for a free, no-obligation conversation about what's possible for your home.

Address

21 Hawthorn Road
Durham
DH11NQ

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+447712578482

Website

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