Lucy is the engine room of our little group. Buying and selling properties can be stressful. Lucy is one of those 'listening' people who understands the needs of our clients, and works with them to sort out our surveys. It's often a complicated process - arrangements with agents, owners, access - and in some cases sorting out accommodation for surveyors in uncharted parts of the Western Isles.. We had a series of phone calls recently from a lady who had issues with dampness in an old house - she came up with some suggested solutions, and eventually, her client suggested we take a look at the house. We did a damp survey on a lovely old farmhouse, and it turned out that there were plans to damp proof it at great cost. A couple of ventilation fans solved the problem. We now help look after her country Estates, Manors and farms.
Lucy has restored her 1920's traditional cavity walled house using only traditional materials. She helps locals work with these materials, and promotes correct restoration methods.
Trevor Guyler obtained a BSc degree in Building Surveying with Commendation at Thames Polytechnic in 1988.
He is a Chartered Construction Manager being a full member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB)
Trevor is an experienced consultant on building matters relating to traditional and historic buildings. He started his career working for Watts and Partners in Blackheath, London as a graduate Building Surveyor, before embarking on a 33-year career with the National Trust.
He commenced his career with the National Trust as a Technical Assistant to the Regional Building Manger in Kent and East Sussex Region, before moving to the Midlands, with his career culminating as the Lead Building Surveyor for the Midlands Region. He has had the opportunity throughout his career to work on all aspects of building surveying and construction management at different levels. He has experience in delivering condition surveys and maintenance plans; specifying repairs to traditional buildings; to acting as Contract Administrator and/or Project Manager on major conservation projects. These have
included numerous projects on Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Grade 1 and 2* buildings including amongst many others, Tattershall Castle, Kedleston Hall, Calke Abbey, Charlecote Park and Belton House.
He is passionate and interested in vernacular buildings and prefers working with these rather than more polite architecture. He is disappointed when he sees poor design, materials and workmanship applied on traditional buildings which is detrimental to their character and how they perform. He has had much experience throughout his career on vernacular architecture, so he is as much at home working on a mud and stud cottage in Lincolnshire or a Derbyshire gritstone farmhouse in the Peak District, as well as our great historic houses.
James comes to us from a background of running a conservation building company. He wanted to make the jump from physical building to survey work, giving him a little more family time. He brings those building skills to every survey and consultation he does. Straight talking, and very knowledgeable, James brings a practical pair of hands to the team..
Joe is a Conservation Officer, and has a wealth of experience with Listed buildings all over the country. He is currently restoring two properties in the north of France. He founded the Facebook group, Traditional and Listed Buildings Advice - which is one of the largest such groups in the country now.