Having purchased a holiday cottage in Cornwall in need of renovation I started the search for a local builder. We live in Hertfordshire and the renovation would have to be completed by somebody I could trust as we would only be able to visit once a month at the most. I asked locally for names of contractors and was recommended a few including James Smithson of Build Cornwall. My wife and I felt at ease with James form our first meeting. He knew what he was talking about (as a retired professional I could sense this) and the price was right.
From the start of the renovation to the finish we were kept updated with the project weekly with emailed photos of the progress. The renovation was completed within the 5 months estimated, and to a fantastic finish. James and his team have worked very hard on our property. On our visits during the job the site was always left clean and tidy. We are very happy to recommend them.
In the summer of 2011, I decided to build a new Kitchen Extension at the rear of my Victorian house, and put the architect drawings out to tender. The successful bidder was Build Cornwall Limited under the direction of Mr James Smithson.
We agreed the terms of a satisfactory Contract that addressed the needs of the project, the Contractor and my wife and myself as clients. A Schedule of Works was drawn up together with a Table of Phased Payments. Allowance was made for additional items at cost plus, and the whole programme was timed in conjunction with the Kitchen Fitters.
The project was completed on time and on cost, with an ongoing dialogue between Mr Smithson and ourselves to deal with the minor decisions that always crop up in such a development, all of which were resolved to our entire satisfaction.
My wife and I are very happy with our new kitchen, and I would not hesitate in using Build Cornwall Limited again or in recommending Mr Smithson’s company to anyone contemplating a quality build at reasonable cost with assiduous attention to detail. I only wish I had known of his services before I had my garage built!
After consulting our architect we followed his advice and got 3 quotes. Build Cornwall were not the cheapest but they put us at ease from the first meeting. We were able to see comments from past customers and completed projects that looked A1. We agreed on a fixed price that I am glad to say was the final price paid. The extension was finished earlier than estimated and their team were at all times polite, hard working and tidy. We would not hesitate in using their services again and would recommend to anyone.
Build Cornwall has been dependable, skilful, enthusiastic and throughout realistically proceed and I could not have asked for more. I initially engaged them to convert part of my double garage to into a dining room and they did an excellent job, so much so that I retained them for additional contraction work outside which once again was finished to an excellent standard. James and his team were at all times professional and courteous and at each stage of the project made sure that they left things clean and tidy. A real find
I have know James since moving to Cornwall. I had a number of minor electrical jobs to be done and he was recommended to me by a neighbour, who has always been very satisfied with his work.
Since then James hand his network of professionals have carried out a number of projects including building, plumbing, maintenance and more electrical work.
I have always found James and his colleagues to be very polite, professional, friendly reliable and good value for money. They always do a great job with real attention to detail, cleaning up as they go and turning up when they say they will. They are very good at estimating, communicating progress and highlighting any unforeseen issues or costs.
I feel we have developed a good relationship with James and he is always my first port of call when any work needs doing. I have no hesitation in recommending Build Cornwall.
Build Cornwall undertook building works at our property in January 2014. The works involved knocking through from the lounge to the dining room and putting in an RSJ, blocking up one door and making another opening, plastering walls and ceilings, installation of a new kitchen and downstairs cloakroom and utility.
James and his team were excellent and arrived at our house every morning at 8am and James updated us on what works would be undertaken that day. They carried out the work in a professional manner and as advised to us by the people that recommended them to us, they started on time, finished on time and on budget - we were delighted. Nothing was too much trouble and any extra work was costed, quoted and undertaken within the same timescale.
We would not hesitate to recommend them for their quality of work, punctuality and price.