Serving Torbay · Building across South Devon jbcarpentryandbuilding@yahoo.com07511 309544 AboutServices Areas Our WorkReviewsContact07511 309544Get Your Plans Priced - Home - Areas We Cover - Builders in South Hams # Builders in South HamsLed by Jake Brown From estuary towns to farmland, we build extensions, conversions and groundworks across the South Hams, with the structure done properly and one team accountable. Get Your Plans Priced, Free - Director: 18 years' trade experience - 11+ years trading in South Devon - 1-year indemnity-backed guarantee - Public liability insured - City & Guilds bricklaying & carpentry ## Building services across the South Hams We serve the South Hams from our Torbay base, including Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Salcombe. Contact us to discuss your site. Our South Hams work spans the towns of Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Salcombe and Ivybridge, and the villages and countryside between them, including Modbury, Stoke Gabriel, South Brent, Slapton and the coastal settlements. Work here is a mix of extensions and refurbishments in the towns, barn conversions and rural groundworks in the countryside, and structurally demanding coastal builds. Wherever the site, we work from your drawings, alongside your architect and engineer, and liaise with Building Control on site where needed during the build. ## The South Hams' property mix The district is defined by historic market and estuary towns, a large stock of stone farmhouses and cottages, traditional barns and agricultural buildings, and coastal homes with significant exposure. Many rural properties are off the mains sewer. Lanes are narrow and hedge-lined, and much of the land is hilly, so access and ground conditions can affect individual projects. ### Building work for South Hams properties - Barn and outbuilding conversions - Extensions to farmhouses and cottages - Septic tanks and off-mains drainage - Underpinning of older rural buildings - Driveways, tracks and hard landscaping ## Our services in South Hams We offer the services below across our South Devon service area. Contact us to discuss the scope for your property in South Hams. Our core team handles groundworks, brickwork, blockwork and structural carpentry, with specialist trades managed through the company. ### House Extensions in South Hams Extensions for cottages, farmhouses and town homes across the district. View house extensions ### Barn Conversions in South Hams Converting traditional South Hams barns into sound, liveable buildings. View barn conversions ### Underpinning in South Hams Foundation strengthening for older stone buildings and new loads. View underpinning ### Septic Tank Installation in South Hams Off-mains drainage installed on properly prepared ground. View septic tank installation ### Basement Conversions in South Hams Turn a damp, unused cellar into dry, usable space. We carry out the structural conversion and waterproofing to the system specified for your project. View basement conversions ### Structural Alterations in South Hams Structural alterations for open-plan layouts. We remove load-bearing walls, install steels and reconfigure structures to your engineer's design, keeping your home safely supported at every stage. View structural alterations ### Refurbishments in South Hams Bring a tired or neglected property back to life. We tackle the structural upgrades first, then manage the trades through to the finish you want. View refurbishments ### Flat Roofing in South Hams A flat roof that keeps the weather out. As approved rubber roofing installers, we fit rubber membranes on properly built decks for extensions, garages and replacements. View flat roofing ### Driveways in South Hams Driveway excavation, sub-bases and surfacing. We prepare the ground and build to the agreed levels, drainage design and surface specification. View driveways ### Landscaping in South Hams Make a sloping or awkward garden usable. We re-shape levels, build retaining walls, patios and steps on solid foundations to the agreed design for your site. View landscaping ## Why choose us in South Hams ### Local base We're based at 156 Newton Road, Torquay; within our South Devon service area. ### Director’s trade experience Director Jake Brown is City & Guilds qualified in bricklaying and carpentry, with 18 years of trade experience. ### 11+ years trading The company has been building across South Devon for over 11 years. ### In-house structural team Groundworks, brickwork, blockwork, structural carpentry and underpinning are handled by our own core team. ### Building Control liaison We work alongside client architects and engineers and can liaise with Building Control officers on site where needed. ### Guaranteed and insured 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee, plus business and public liability insurance. ## Building challenges across the South Hams Rural, coastal and historic: the South Hams combines all three. ### Traditional construction Stone and cob buildings need structural repair and a careful approach to damp before alteration or conversion. ### Off-mains drainage Many properties rely on septic tanks, and older systems may need replacing to meet current rules. ### Hilly ground and narrow lanes Sloping sites and restricted access affect foundation design, deliveries and programme. ### Coastal exposure Homes near the coast need robust weatherproofing at roofs, openings and junctions. ## Building in South Hams: what to know ### Planning across the South Hams The South Hams is covered by South Hams District Council. Large areas of the district fall within the South Devon National Landscape, and most towns have conservation areas, which affect what can be built and how. Barn conversions may need full permission or prior approval depending on the building and its use. We start once drawings and consents are in place and liaise with Building Control on site through the build. ### Barns, farmhouses and off-mains drainage Barn conversions and rural extensions may require foundation work, masonry repairs, roof structures and a drainage design. If there is no mains sewer connection, a designer should confirm a suitable off-mains system. We offer ground preparation, excavation and septic tank installation alongside structural works. ### Market towns and coastal villages Our South Hams service area includes Totnes, Ivybridge and South Brent, alongside Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Salcombe, and villages such as Modbury, Stoke Gabriel and Slapton in between. Each has its own mix of property types and access challenges. Whatever the location, we bring the in-house structural work, coordinated specialist trades and the confirmed 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee. ### Access and logistics on rural lanes The South Hams' narrow, hedge-lined lanes are part of its charm, but they shape how a build runs. Large delivery lorries and plant can't always reach a site, so materials may need to come in smaller loads, and machinery has to be chosen to suit the access. Steep and soft ground on farm sites can also affect when work can happen. We assess all of this at the free site visit and build it into the programme and the price. ## How we work in South Hams - Step 1 ### Send your plans Share your drawings for your South Hams property, plus any structural calculations. - Step 2 ### Free site visit We visit the site in South Hams to check access, ground conditions and how you'd like it finished. - Step 3 ### Clear written price You get a written quote for the work, with any fit-out priced separately if you want it. - Step 4 ### Managed build Groundworks, shell and specialist trades coordinated, with Building Control liaison where needed. - Step 5 ### Completion and guarantee Handover of the finished work, covered by our 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee. ## Building in South Hams: common questions ### Do you serve the South Hams? Yes. We serve the South Hams from our base at 156 Newton Road, Torquay. ### How quickly can you get to the South Hams for a site visit? Call Jake or send your drawings to arrange a free site visit in the South Hams. Timing depends on availability. Our hours are Monday to Saturday, 6:30am to 6:00pm. ### How much does building work cost in the South Hams? Every project is priced from its own drawings, ground conditions and access, so there's no fixed rate. Site visits and quotes are free, and you'll receive a clear written price before any work starts. ### Do you offer emergency call-outs in the South Hams? Contact Jake to discuss project availability in the South Hams. If a structure appears unsafe, seek urgent advice from a qualified structural engineer or the appropriate emergency service. ### Is the work guaranteed and insured? All completed work is covered by a 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee, and the company holds business and public liability insurance. ### Which South Hams towns do you cover? Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Ivybridge and the villages between, including Modbury, Stoke Gabriel and South Brent. ### Do you specialise in rural projects? Barn conversions, septic tanks, underpinning and groundworks are core services, and we can discuss these services for your rural property. ### Can you work on narrow-lane sites? Yes. We'll assess access at the free site visit and plan deliveries and plant accordingly. ### Do you cover Ivybridge and Modbury? Yes. Ivybridge, Modbury, South Brent and the surrounding villages are part of our South Hams coverage. ### What if a septic tank is not suitable for my property? Your drainage designer or the relevant authority should confirm which off-mains system is suitable and what approvals are required. We offer septic tank excavation and installation; contact Jake to discuss the scope of work for other systems. ### Do you underpin old stone buildings in the South Hams? Yes. Heavy structural underpinning is carried out by our in-house team, to your engineer's design. ### Nearby areas we cover - Totnes - Kingsbridge - South DevonBack to the homepage or contact us. ## Building in South Hams?Get your plans priced. Free site visit and a clear written quote. Director Jake Brown brings 18 years of trade experience. All completed work carries a 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee. Get Your Plans Priced, Free +44 7511 309544 JB Carpentry and Building Ltd Groundworks and structural building specialists serving Torbay and South Devon. 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