From the Ground Up – #16

Fitting Day in Worthing, First Dig in Bristol & Steel Sorted in Crawley

This week: fitting is underway on a wrap-around L-shape extension in Worthing, groundworks have broken ground on a large orangery in Bristol, and materials are on site with progress moving in Crawley.

Let’s get stuck in!

• Fitting has commenced on this large L-shape wrap-around extension for a customer we’ve previously worked with. It’s always good to be back on site for someone who knows us.
• The roof finish on this one was a considered decision. We moved away from a modular roof on the side extension and opted for a traditional tile finish instead.
• The reason: a traditional tile roof ties into the existing house roof far more naturally and leaves a finish that looks like it was always part of the building, not an afterthought.
• That kind of detail makes a real difference to the final result. Extensions that blend into the original house always look better and hold their value far longer.
• Completion is expected next week. Although this falls slightly outside our most common project types, it’s a good example of the range of work we can offer – and the same care goes into every build.

• Getting planning over the line is always a moment – and now with approval in place, groundworks have started on this large orangery project in Bristol.
• The site presented some access challenges from the outset. We worked closely with the customer ahead of the dig to find suitable locations for skips, materials, and equipment, managing the practicalities of a tighter site.
• Before we started, we had an honest conversation with the customer about potential disruptions: where things would be stored, how deliveries would work, and what to expect day to day.
• That conversation made everything run more smoothly. Disruption on a live site is often unavoidable, but with good planning and clear communication it doesn’t have to catch anyone off guard.
• Watch this space – with groundworks underway, the structural work will follow soon.

• The old structure has been taken down, groundworks have been dug and inspected, and concrete has been poured with the inspector’s approval in place.
• Materials are now on site, which means this large orangery project can move forward at pace.
• The steel insertion into the existing house structure didn’t go entirely to plan. On older properties, the fabric of the building doesn’t always match what the drawings suggest, and that’s a reality of working on live homes.
• When we hit the snag, we stopped, brought in properly qualified structural engineers, and worked through the correct solution with them before moving on.
• It’s not a dramatic story – it’s just how the job should be done. The right outcome matters more than a fast one.

That’s a Wrap For This Week

That’s it for this week’s round-up! It’s always exciting to see these spaces take shape. From first foundations to final finishes. Whether you’re mid-project, just getting started, or simply gathering ideas, we hope these updates give you a clear view of what’s possible.

👉 Book a free 30-minute consultation with one of our team. We’ll help you explore ideas, understand the process, and see what’s possible for your home.

Check back next week for more real progress from real homes – From The Ground Up.