From the Ground Up – #33

A Drainage Surprise Handled, a Smooth Skim Finish and a Smarter Conservatory Upgrade

The soakaway is being moved into the garden in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, plastering is finished in Sherborne, Dorset, and a SIP wall and goalpost frame are in this week at Haywards Heath, West Sussex.

Right then, here’s how the week went on site.

•  We came across something unexpected this week. The existing soakaway sat right next to where the extension is going, and it was too small to take the water from both the house and the new extension.
• In most cases this is not something anyone could have spotted before work started. The only proper fix is to move it out into the garden and size it correctly.
• Small surprises we can often absorb ourselves. When it is something bigger, we sit down with the client, talk through the cost, show them the materials going in, and get a variation signed before any work starts.
• That gives everyone a clear record of what is being done and what it costs, so the client feels comfortable with the extra spend and there are no surprises on the final bill.
• These are not always easy conversations, but the finished build always comes first. Getting the drainage right now means the extension drains properly and there are no long term problems down the line.

Sherborne, Dorset

Plastering Done and an Exceptionally Smooth Finish

• Plastering followed straight on from the previous stage, and the whole job was done within three days.
• The ceiling is 12.5mm plasterboard throughout, with a skim finish over the top.
• The homeowner told us afterwards it is an exceptionally smooth finish. That is exactly what we want to hear, because plaster is the surface you look at every day. If it is not right, it will bug you.
• Feedback like that means a lot to the team. We are now at the finishing stage on this one.
• It is a lovely upgrade of an existing structure, so keep an eye out for the full case study when it lands.

• – We are upgrading an underused conservatory here. The old structure has come down and a SIP panel wall has gone in on the left-hand side.
• Other companies had quoted either to build on the existing base, which would not have been substantial enough, or to put in new footings, which would have pushed the cost up a lot.
• The SIP panel gives a full wall without redoing the base. It is structurally strong and as well insulated as a traditional wall, if not more so. It is the kind of option worth talking through at a free consultation before you commit to a full rebuild.
• The red frame in the photos is a goalpost system around the front doors, so the roof is fully supported even with both doors wide open.
• It has all been handled by our roof supplier as part of an LABC-approved roof system, so it is signed off and checked before we install it. For the homeowner, that means a warm, solid room they can use all year, with the certification to back it up.

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.