About Pete and the crew

The company is owned and managed by Pete. He's responsible for overall management and paper pushing! He has considerable experience in the business world. After University In the early 1980's, he ran a farm contracting and building company, but sold this when he moved to Australia. 4 years running gold mines followed, before setting up a mining software development company. This became one of the largest mining and farm software companies globally. He sold this to return to England in 1999, to restore period properties. In his spare time Peter maintains links with the mining industry and collects mineral and gem specimens. He has an ageing thoroughbred mare who used to do a bit of eventing and lives out her retirement in his fields. 

All the team are conservation trained.  The team is growing rapidly - and we are just being joined by Trevor Guyler, who has a very long story of working with the National Trust, and covers Derbyshire, Leicestershire, West Midlands, Staffordshire, Lincolnshire. 

The team take in in turns to work in London - where we regularly undertake damp surveys, and building surveys.

From mining to old houses...

Peter has spent many years working as a geochemist and geologist, as well as restoring historic homes all over the world. His background in geochemistry has given him a unique set of skills when applied to understanding the reasons for damp problems in old buildings. He has extensive knowledge of chemistry and the mechanisms by which stone and other building materials deteriorate and oxidise under the influence of water and air. Add to this experience in the movement of metallic ions through rock (essentially the formation of orebodies) - and he has a very unusual viewpoint of the real reasons for, and solutions to damp issues in old buildings.

He is well known for his constant campaign against the Timber and Damp Proofing industry, and their fraudulent practises which cost an unsuspecting public many millions of pounds each year. 

Pete works tirelessly for Listed Property Owners - showing them how to understand their home.  If you own one, forget going to Listed Property Shows and being sold a lemon - give us a call, and we'll teach you all there is to know about working with your home. 

Latest News
Pete's on BBC Radio 4 now!

Pete recently did an interview on BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours - which investigated a case history of failed cavity wall insulation.

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Guidance concerning Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings

This is the English Heritage Guidance document that covers almost all the issues I cover in this site.

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An Irish client and his magnificent restoration blog

Our client, John, wanted help with this restoration - it led to this great blog.

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Rising damp is a myth, says former RICS chief

Stephen Boniface, former chairman of the construction arm of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS ), has told the institute’s 40,000 members that ‘true...

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It's Condensation Season!

The phone is running off the hook with calls about condensation. Find out how to solve your issues.

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The Haynes Manual for Period Property

Ian Rock has written another of his great books.  This one is even better - We've helped Ian with this one and there's loads of photos of our guys doing timber frame work.  A great book, with lots of practical information you need if you have an old home.  Treat yourself and buy this - you won't regret it!

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