heritage · Perth
Building restoration, The Coach House, Perth
Lime repointing, chimney rebuild, roof repairs, cast iron rainwater goods, new windows and repairs to sills, lintels and mullions.
Dundee based · Scotland wide
Heritage building restoration and repair in Scotland
A&B Building Solutions restores listed, traditional and tenement buildings across Scotland, using lime mortars, natural stone and traditional details. We repair chimneys, remove and replace render, and carry out full elevation restorations from our base in Dundee, working with architects and conservation officers where consent is needed.
CHAS accredited- Detailed surveys & specifications
- Scotland-wide coverage
What we repair
Restoring traditional buildings
Traditional buildings were built from stone, brick, lime, timber, lead and cast iron. They stay sound when they are repaired in the same materials. Most of the damage we see comes from water getting in, and from earlier repairs in cement and modern materials that trap it.
Listed and traditional buildings
On listed buildings and in conservation areas, the repair has to match the original in material, detail and appearance. We use lime mortars, natural stone sourced from UK quarries to match the original, and traditional details. On The Coach House in Perth, that meant repointing in Mason’s Mortar lime mortar, repairing sills, lintels and mullions, and restoring the decorative timber gable.
Tenements
Scotland’s sandstone tenements share roofs, chimneys, gables and common stairs, so a repair usually affects several owners. Typical tenement work includes repointing, stone repairs, chimney stacks, back court walls and rainwater goods. We price common repairs clearly so a factor can share the costs between owners.
Working with architects and conservation officers
We work to an architect’s specification where there is one, and we can coordinate with the conservation officer on samples, mortar mixes and stone matching. Mortar is matched for colour, aggregate and strength against the existing building.
Leadwork and cast iron
A restoration often includes the leadwork and rainwater goods. We renew lead flashings, and replace failed rainwater goods with new cast iron gutters and downpipes, as we did on The Coach House.
Project example
Chimney stack restoration: see the difference.
The cracked render on this large traditional chimney stack was removed back to the original masonry. After masonry repairs, a new render system was applied and finished in an even roughcast. The two photos are taken from different points.
Have a similar restoration project?
Enquire about your repairChimney Repairs
Chimney repairs and rebuilds
Chimney stacks take the worst of the weather, and a repair to a traditional stack needs the same materials as the rest of the building: lime mortar, matched stone and lead. We repoint stacks, renew crowns and render, and stabilise or rebuild stacks that have started to lean. Our chimney repairs and restoration page covers the repairs we carry out and the stacks we have restored.
Render Removal & Replacement
Render removal and replacement
Render and roughcast protect a wall only while they stay bonded and uncracked. Once water gets behind them, it is trapped against the masonry. Cement renders on stone buildings are a common cause of damp and decay.
We remove failed render back to the masonry, repair the wall behind, and re-render in a material that suits the building: lime render or harl on traditional stone, or a render and roughcast finish to match the surrounding walls. On a boundary wall, we rebuilt a failed section in blockwork and finished the wall in new dry dash roughcast.
Our approach
How we carry out heritage restoration
Survey
We record the condition of each elevation and identify the causes of damp and decay.
Specification
Materials matched to the building: lime mortar and render, matched stone, lead and cast iron.
Access
Scaffolding, access equipment and permits arranged as part of the project.
Repair
Masonry, chimneys, render, roof and joinery repaired in sequence from the top down.
Cleaning
Biocidal washes and cleaning to remove growth and staining where needed.
Who we work with
Who we do this for.
Owners and managers of commercial heritage buildings, such as offices, hotels, churches and public buildings, need restoration planned around the people using them, with access, protection and a clear programme. We handle scaffolding, access equipment and the permits that go with them as part of the project, and we are CHAS accredited.
For factors and owners' associations, a tenement repair usually affects several owners. We report on the condition with photos and give costed options so each owner can see their share. We also work alongside architects, structural engineers and loss adjusters, including on insurance-backed repairs.
For homeowners with period and listed houses, we repair chimneys, render, stonework and full elevations.
Project costs
What affects the cost.
Heritage work is priced from a survey, because the extent of hidden damage often only shows once scaffold is up. The main costs are access, the area of stone, brick or render involved, and the materials the building needs, such as lime mortar, matched stone and cast iron.
Listed building consent, conservation area rules and any architect's specification also shape the cost and programme.
Projects
Our repair projects.
residential · Edinburgh
Chimney stack render removal and new roughcast, Edinburgh
Render removed back to the masonry, masonry repaired, then a new render system finished in roughcast.
heritage · Edinburgh
Chimney crown restoration on a four-pot stone stack, Edinburgh
Crown repaired and resurfaced from fixed scaffolding, the masonry made good and the pot bases finished neatly.
What clients say on
We needed a quality operator with the skills and experience to re point the sea facing wall of our home in Anstruther, Fife, a traditionally 3 story property built in the 1800’s. We were recommended to speak to A&B Building Solutions who proved to be the ideal company. We agreed a competitive price for the job and are delighted with the results. The guys were very professional and solved a number of unforeseen challenges. I’d happily recommend A&B Building Solutions to anyone looking for work to be done in their property and will definitely be contacting them first any future needs.
Frequently asked questions
Heritage restoration questions.
Do you work on listed buildings and period properties?
Yes. We work on listed and period properties across Scotland, using appropriate traditional materials including lime mortars, natural stone and lead. We can coordinate with conservation officers where required.
Do you provide scaffolding and access?
Yes. Scaffolding, access equipment and any required permits are handled as part of the project.
Do you work with architects, surveyors or insurance claims?
Yes. We work alongside architects, structural engineers and loss adjusters on repair and restoration projects, including insurance-backed claims.
Do I need listed building consent for repairs?
Like-for-like repairs often do not need consent, but changes to materials, details or appearance usually do. Replacing a cement render with lime, or rebuilding a chimney differently, can need consent. Check with the local authority's conservation officer before work starts.
Why does my chimney need rebuilding rather than repointing?
When a stack leans, has cracked through, or its stone has eroded deeply, repointing will not hold it. Taking it down to sound masonry and rebuilding it, reusing the original stone where possible, is the lasting repair.
Should cement render be removed from an old stone building?
Usually, yes, once it has cracked or lost its bond. Cement render traps moisture in solid stone walls, which causes damp inside and decay of the stone behind it. A lime render or harl lets the wall dry out.
Where we work
Based in Dundee. Working throughout Scotland.
We restore traditional and listed buildings across Scotland from our base in Dundee, including Dundee and Angus, Perth and Perthshire, Fife, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh and the Lothians, Stirling, Glasgow and the Central Belt.
Related services
Related specialist services.
Stone Repairs & Lime Repointing
Stonework repairs and lime repointing for traditional masonry buildings.
Commercial Building Maintenance
Building and façade repairs for commercial properties and managed estates.
Waterproofing & Tanking
Specialist systems to address water ingress and protect below-ground spaces.
Start a conversation
Discuss your heritage restoration project.
Tell us about the issue, location and timescale. Photos help. We'll get in touch to discuss the next steps.
CHAS accredited contractor.
2n Thorter Way, Dundee DD1 3AY.