Conservation

T J Ferris Stonemasonry offer our services to Conservation Architects, Trusts & Bodies and a range of private clients looking to preserve and protect historic buildings. With a wide range of in-house skills and a select group of specialist suppliers providing everything from initial specialist Consultancy services through to the complete delivery of complex Conservation and Restoration projects.

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Advisory works and Consultancy

Emergency on-site response following collapse/fire/flood etc

Hands on specialist conservation and restoration works

Undertaking works as both main contractor and specialist sub-contractor

Preventative Conservation

Preventative conservation is the introduction of non-interventional measures and actions aimed at avoiding and minimising future deterioration or loss. These measures and actions are indirect – they do not interfere with the materials and structures of the items and do not affect or change their appearance. A preventative conservation approach can often relate to the management of the immediate environment (light, humidity, pollution and pest control), but can include education of staff on care and maintenance as well as public awareness.

Preventative Works

Often the key to preventive works is managing the impact of environmental factors, including the removal of moss and algae’s – which may harbour moisture and exacerbate decay.

Remedial Conservation

Remedial Conservation relates to all actions directly applied to a building aimed at stopping or slowing the current damaging processes it is subject to. Remedial actions are only carried out when the buildings fabric is in such a fragile condition or is deteriorating at such a rate, that they could be lost in a relatively short time. These interventions are intended to be minimal but may sometimes effect on the appearance.

Remedial Works

Most of our work in this area revolves around the removal of inappropriate mortars and repairs. Cement was used in such abundance over the last 100 years and most of our work now requires its removal and replacement with a more appropriate lime mortar.

Each specific project has its own challenges and whilst there is not a rigid set of rules to adhere to in conservation, we try to apply the following general philosophy of approach to our work.

Minimal intervention is adhered to as much as possible.
Any intervention should be reversible wherever possible.
Like for like repairs where possible will be carried out and any new materials introduced, kept to an absolute minimum.
New repairs should not disturb the aesthetics of the architecture, but under scrutiny from a specialist should be visible.
Documentary evidence should be used wherever possible when carrying out replacements or repairs to avoid speculative work.
Care should be taken not to over clean a building or object to retain an air of historic integrity
Historic repairs where not causing damage to the building or object may be retained

Very happy with work completed on a listed building to repair damaged stonework around a window and preventative work to redress heavily weathered pointing.

Thomas and his team were a pleasure to deal with and were very professional during the work. The finish blends very well with the existing stonework and I would have no hesitation commissioning TJ Ferris for any further work I required or recommending them to others.

Jeremy Thornton

T J Ferris Stonemasonry were competitively priced, friendly and approachable. They started the job quickly and the finished result looks fantastic. We will come back to them in the future.

Giles, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Very pleased with the work. Polite and informative, thorough and tidy work. Would use again without hesitation.

John Young

Thomas and his team re-built our boundary wall which had been blown over by Storm Arwen. They did a fantastic job over 3 weeks using re-claimed bricks, and the result matches in perfectly with the original wall built over 80 years ago. David did a brilliant job of moulding the coping so that it matched and fitted in with the original coping. They are such a professional team, turning up at 7.30am every day, always cheery and very hard working. We are very pleased with the finished product. We would highly recommend.

Andy, 18th May 2022

Stone repairs, replacement of ridge tiles and pointing of chimneys and wall heads.
Excellent service. I have used TJ Ferris Stonemasonry on a number of occasions now and would not hesitate to recommend this company both for the work done and value for money. Both Thomas and Blake are excellent workmen.

Andrina , 20th November 2019

We’re really pleased with the quality and workmanship carried out by Thomas and his team who were hardworking and courteous.

Alison, 15th May 2021

Tom and his team recently finished a number of stone and building repairs at my house and I cannot recommend them enough. The job was complex yet Tom and his team provided me with a comprehensive estimate and plan which was followed through keeping us in budget. The craftsmanship was first class and Tom’s team were professional, courteous and tidy throughout. I could not be more happy with the job.

Stephen Weir, 3rd November 2023

Thomas and his men repointed the front of our bungalow, repaired a stone widow sill and replaced some rendering. Despite the current covid situation causing a delay to the start of the work, the work was carried out efficiently and smoothly. I cannot fault the quality of the finish and the workmen were friendly and hard working. Overall we’re very happy to have chosen Thomas for the work.

Richard Kotas, 9th March 2021

Case Studies

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Coldingham Priory

Ayton Castle, Dovecot

Tweedmouth Parish Church

Get In Touch

Make An Enquiry

We consider projects of any size and type, from large-scale architectural renovations to internal works in modern homes. To find out more or to obtain a quotation please complete the enquiry form or contact Tom by phone or email.