I have no hesitation in awarding the full 5 stars for the high standard of the repointing and other work, and for the extra attention given to improving the look as well as the structure of my house. At all times the team took great care to make the process a smooth and pleasurable one. One of the reasons I contacted Barlow Construction was their membership of the Federation of Master Builders, and that has certainly proved its worth.
Period property restoration
Stonework, lime, repointing, chimneys and sympathetic repairs to listed and older homes, from the people who learned their trade on Yorkshire's estates.
Stone farmhouse walls, North Yorkshire
20+ yearsin the trade
Up to 10 yearsinsurance backed guarantee
FMB memberFederation of Master Builders
TrustMarkGovernment endorsed
Team of 12multi trade, in house
Our speciality
Lewis spent over 20 years on North Yorkshire estates and private homes, and old stone restoration is still the work we are proudest of.
Houses built before about 1919 work differently from modern ones. Solid stone and brick walls need to breathe, lime mortar lets them do it, and the wrong repair can do more damage than the problem it was meant to fix. We see a lot of cement pointing and plastic paint that need undoing.
We repair and rebuild stonework, cut in new stone faces, repoint in lime, rebuild chimneys and garden walls, and restore listed buildings in and out of conservation areas across North Yorkshire.
Our estate work
Drag to compare. Eroded faces replaced with new sandstone to the original coursing.
Looking after an older home?
Call Lewis or WhatsApp a few photos. He will tell you honestly what is involved and arrange a visit.
Lime or cement?
The question that decides whether an old wall lasts another hundred years.
Cement mortar is harder and less porous than the stone around it. Water gets trapped behind it, freezes and pushes the face off the stone. Lime is softer and breathable, so the joint wears instead of the stone. That is how it should be.
Read our lime guide| Lime mortar | Cement mortar | |
|---|---|---|
| Breathes | Yes, lets moisture out of the wall | No, traps moisture in the stone |
| Flexibility | Moves with the building | Rigid, cracks or pulls stone faces off |
| What wears first | The mortar, which is cheap to renew | The stone, which is expensive to replace |
| Right for | Solid walls built before 1919, listed buildings | Modern cavity walls |
Restoration work
Listed building or conservation area?
We are used to working with conservation officers and listed building consent. We will help you get the approvals right before any work starts.
What restoration clients say
A tree had pushed over our boundary stone wall and neighbours needed access at all times. After discussing everything on site with Lewis we received a very reasonable quotation. The job was completed to the very highest standard and all the residents commented on how polite and courteous the workers were. A top building firm that we will certainly use again.
Barlow Construction has helped me through a major renovation of an 1860s property, involving new suspended ceilings, new wall linings throughout, full damp proofing, new doors and lintels, a new central heating system, and new bathroom and kitchen installs. Lewis has been a pleasure to deal with throughout, and his advice and guidance have been invaluable. His onsite team show considerable depth of experience, with no dramas in dealing with the unexpected work that crops up in an old building. If only all firms were like this to deal with.
Communication throughout the build was exemplary. It is a measure of Lewis's integrity that he will immediately flag unnecessary work that can be avoided, and he is happy to suggest alternative approaches, which were consistently better ideas than ours. The tradesmen he chose were professional, trustworthy and delivered without fault.
Restoration questions
Anything else, call Lewis on 07816 237961.
Can you match old stone?
Yes. We source reclaimed stone, or new stone from quarries that match the original, and dress it by hand to the same finish and coursing.
Do you work on listed buildings?
Yes. We regularly work on listed buildings and in conservation areas, and follow the approved listed building consent to the letter.
Can cement pointing be removed?
Yes, carefully, by hand, so the stone edges are not damaged. The joints are then repointed in a lime mortar matched to the stone.
Do you rebuild stone boundary walls?
We rebuild mortared stone boundary walls, gate piers and retaining walls, reusing the original stone wherever we can.
One team, one point of contact, one honest price
Lewis is involved in every job, from the first visit to the final clean. Call him, WhatsApp a few photos, or send the form below.
What our clients say
We have worked with Lewis and his team across a number of properties and he is incredibly professional and pleasant to work with. Highly recommended.
Lewis Barlow has been involved in two major projects at our house near Stillington. These included restoring a barn and converting it to residential use, renovating the original farmhouse, and building two substantial extensions. He has immense skill in all areas of construction, takes huge pride in his work, and is always a delight to deal with. He runs a team efficiently and explains what he is doing as he goes, always letting you know what the next day or week holds. Our house is a joy to live in.
We were introduced to Barlow Construction through our architect. They proved themselves to be a professional, trustworthy and reliable building company. Nothing was too much trouble. Originally taken on to do a single storey extension, which they did to an extremely high standard, we then asked them to lay a full surround patio with ACO drainage and repair our chimney stack. They were very tidy, clearing and putting everything away at the end of each day. We would wholeheartedly recommend them.
Lewis and the team did a fantastic job on our extension from start to finish. Communication was excellent throughout, they kept us updated at every stage, turned up when they said they would, and left the site clean and tidy each day. The finish is exactly what we wanted and the whole process was far less stressful than we expected.
We recently used Barlow Construction for a refurbishment project and were extremely pleased with the service and the quality of work. Lewis was great to deal with from the start. Professional, reliable and always on hand to offer advice on the best approach and industry best practice. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Lewis and the team.
The guys from Barlow Construction did an excellent job. They arrived on time. I was working from home throughout the kitchen refurbishment so got to know them. Great bunch of lads, great work. No issue too big or small, they got it sorted. Well pleased with the finish.
The Guild ofMaster CraftsmenMember
Insured by QBE£5m public liabilityUp to 10 yearsinsurance backed guaranteeThe Guild ofMaster CraftsmenMember
Insured by QBE£5m public liabilityUp to 10 yearsinsurance backed guaranteeTalk to us about your property
Send a few details and Lewis will call you back to talk it through and arrange a visit. If you already have drawings, WhatsApp them over and he will have a look before he comes out.
- Call Lewis07816 237961
- YardUnit 3, Bridge Farm, Park Road, Topcliffe, Thirsk YO7 3PD
Tell us about your project
Lewis reads every enquiry himself and will come back to you to arrange a visit. Quotes are free and come with no obligation.