The Gentleman Builders

31/10/2026

Dating back to 1612, with origins stretching back even further, the Old Church House in Colyton is a building steeped in history.

This was a fascinating project from start to finish, with plenty of challenges along the way.

One of the biggest tasks was working out the original profile of the stone mullions, as centuries of weathering had left the existing stonework extremely worn, making it difficult to determine their original shape.

The oak beam above the mullions had completely deteriorated due to wood-boring beetle damage and rot, leaving the entire structure on the brink of collapse.

For its replacement, we sourced a beautiful piece of English oak from a tree felled over 50 years ago. Using well-seasoned oak was particularly important to minimise the risk of movement, twisting and cracking over time.

The new stone mullions were precision laser-cut to what we believe would have been their original profile, helping to bring this historic window back to its former glory while staying true to its character.

We’ll be sharing more posts showing the different stages of the restoration and the progress of bringing this historic window back to life. Keep an eye out!

12/09/2026

The final dig complete. Check out the view!

20/06/2026

It was a real pleasure to be involved in building this fantastic Reading Cabin for B**r C of E Primary School .

I’m sure it will get plenty of use throughout the years and become a special place for the children to relax with a good book.📚 Thank you to Bradfords Building Supplies for helping with materials.

18/02/2026

Thank you to The Gentleman Builders - our sponsors of the 6 mile B**r Blazer!

The Gentleman Builders have built the incredible reading cabin in amongst the new garden at B**r Primary School, all of which the B**r Blazer has funded over the last few years - we’re looking forward to showing you what entering this race has achieved on May 17th!

The Gentleman Builders have a wide range of skills to suit your projects, designs and specifications. Find them on Instagram or visit their website www.gbdevon.com

02/01/2026

Highlights from our biggest project to date, starting with the library.📚
We removed all of the old, damaged lime plaster and laths, then supported the sagging floor joists above. This allowed us to redefine the ceiling area and shape the room’s entrance, creating a seamless flow from the library to the reading room.
We then re-lathed the entire room by hand, carefully nailing the laths with a 6mm gap between each one. Next came the lime plastering process: starting with a horsehair coat, followed by an unhaired coat and finishing with a lime putty coat.
To complete the transformation, we fitted a custom cornice made from an original mould of the cornice found in the house. Skirting and architrave were crafted from original pieces, along with the door moulding to match. Finally an oak parquet floor that ties the whole space together.

13/12/2025

The Gentleman Builders

30/10/2025

Renovating a prominent property in the heart of Sidmouth town centre is never an easy task. Years of exposure to sea air and driving winds had taken their toll — the building was truly on its last legs, with the bay windows especially close to collapse.
We’ve worked carefully and sympathetically to repair and restore as much as possible, always with preservation and longevity in mind. It’s been a labour of love bringing this piece of local history back to life.

18/10/2025

https://www.banwellantiques.com/post/the-county-house-to-do-list

Not a team to be deterred by an extensively long list of tricky jobs, Alex Graves Morris and his brilliant team of builders have been working tirelessly over the last couple of months, ticking off items from the seemingly never-ending to-do list. To give you an idea of the intricate and vital aspect...

26/09/2025

Team News! Very proud to announce that our latest apprentice Alfie Simpson has passed his level 2 in Carpentry 🎉. Not only passed, but with distinction. He will now be going on to further his knowledge and skill into his 3rd year, where he’ll be developing more complex skills in carpentry. Congratulations Alfie ✏️🔨🗜️🪚📐

01/08/2025

Summer so far with the Gentleman Builders. Roofs, rendering, plastering, decorating, restoring a greenhouse, welcoming new team members. Along with haircuts, vehicles, keeping cool, enjoying work and cracking on.