Listed Building Alterations
Works to Grade I and Grade II listed buildings, from minor internal alterations to significant structural changes — all carefully planned and consented.
Heritage & Listed Properties
Buildings that deserve to be treated differently.
Specialist heritage builders for listed buildings, period properties and conservation area homes across Essex, London and Suffolk.
Who we help
Owners of period and character properties across Essex, London and Suffolk.
We work with homeowners and developers who own listed buildings, period homes, barn conversions, character cottages and conservation area properties — buildings where standard builders simply do not have the experience or sensitivity required.
Heritage construction is a specialism, not an extension of general building work. The materials are different. The regulatory framework is different. The consequences of getting it wrong are significant — and often irreversible.
Our team has direct experience working across Essex, London and Suffolk with some of the region's most distinctive period properties — from Grade II listed farmhouses and Victorian terrace renovations to flint-wall boundary projects and oak-framed extensions to 17th-century cottages.
We work with:
- Listed Buildings — Listed building consent coordinated from application to completion
- Period Properties — Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian and earlier
- Character Homes — Cottages, farmhouses, barn conversions
- Conservation Areas — Article 4 directions and conservation conditions
- Historic Buildings — Pre-1919 construction requiring specialist knowledge
- Barn Conversions — Agricultural heritage structures sympathetically converted
Heritage across all three divisions
Our heritage expertise applies across every area of our work.
Period & Heritage Extensions
Extending a listed or period building is one of the most technically demanding types of project. We design and build heritage extensions that respect the host building's scale, material palette and architectural character — from oak-framed rear extensions to carefully proportioned single-storey additions in handmade brick and lime mortar.
- Handmade and reclaimed brick matching
- Lime mortar throughout
- Oak framed structures
- Natural slate and clay tile roofing
- Listed building consent management
Internal Remodelling
Renovating the interior of a period home is as much about what you preserve as what you change. We work carefully to retain original features — cornices, panelling, timber floors, sash windows and fireplaces — whilst introducing new kitchens, bathrooms and layout reconfigurations that serve modern family life without compromising the character of the building.
- Original feature preservation
- Lime plaster repairs
- Sash window restoration
- Period floor restoration and repair
- Sensitive structural alteration
Landscaping & External Works
The garden and external works of a heritage property are as important as the building itself. We design and build traditional hard landscaping — flint and brick boundary walls, reclaimed stone terracing, timber structures and period-appropriate planting — that respects the era and setting of the house.
- Flint and heritage brickwork walls
- Reclaimed stone and brick paving
- Pergolas and timber structures
- Traditional planted boundaries
- Sympathetic garden restoration
Typical heritage projects
What we are typically asked to do.
Oak Framed Structures
Bespoke oak frame extensions, garden rooms, porches and garages — designed to sit sympathetically alongside historic buildings using traditional joinery methods.
Traditional Brickwork
Handmade brick, reclaimed material matching, Flemish and English bond, tuck pointing and specialist facework — our masons understand historic brickwork.
Lime Mortar Repairs
Repointing, rebuilding and repair using appropriate lime mixes matched to the existing material — protecting historic structures from inappropriate cement.
Timber Frame Repairs
Structural timber repair, splicing and replacement using traditional carpentry. We work to preserve original fabric wherever possible.
Sympathetic Extensions
New additions designed to respect the scale, material palette and architectural character of the host building — making the new look as though it belongs.
Traditional Roofing
Clay plain tile, natural slate, peg tile and lead work — matching existing roof coverings and detailing to conservation area and listed building standards.
Heritage Garden Walls
Flint, stone, brick and mixed-material boundary walls built using traditional techniques — from simple repairs to complete new-build heritage walls.
Period Garden Restoration
Sympathetic hard landscaping for period and historic gardens — reclaimed stone, aged brick, traditional edging and planting that respects the era of the house.
Sensitive Internal Renovation
Preserving original features — cornices, architraves, sash windows, stone flags and timber floors — whilst improving the liveability of a historic interior.
“The building came first. Our job was to work around it — not the other way around.”
Milad Mansouri, Founder
Our approach
Balancing original character with modern life — carefully.
1
Original Character
We start by understanding the history and character of the building before proposing any work. That means researching original materials, understanding the construction logic, and designing in a way that respects what is already there.
2
Modern Functionality
Heritage does not mean discomfort. We find ways to introduce underfloor heating, concealed insulation, modern kitchens and bathrooms in ways that do not compromise the character of the building.
3
Planning & Conservation
We work on listed and heritage properties across Essex, London and Suffolk, and we coordinate the consent process on your behalf — engaging Local Planning Authorities and conservation officers, and involving heritage consultants and other specialists where a project calls for them. We understand what is likely to be consented, how to present an application well, and how to keep the process moving.
4
Conservation Requirements
Our material specifications and method statements are prepared to meet conservation area conditions, listed building consent conditions and Building Regulations as they apply to historic structures.
5
High-Quality Craftsmanship
Heritage work demands a higher level of skill than standard new-build construction. We work with specialist craftspeople — masons, carpenters and decorators — who are experienced with traditional building methods.
Why Mansouri Design & Build
The right team for heritage work.
Design-Led Thinking
Every heritage project begins with a considered design process — understanding the building's history, its character, and how a sensitive intervention can improve it without diminishing it.
Traditional Craftsmanship
We work with specialist masons, carpenters and decorators who understand lime, flint, oak and period materials — not tradespeople who have simply worked on old buildings.
Modern Construction Expertise
Heritage does not mean slow or expensive by default. We apply modern project management, procurement and construction management to heritage projects — delivering high standards efficiently.
Respect for Original Architecture
We do not impose our aesthetic onto historic buildings. Our job is to serve the architecture — to propose what is right for the building, not what is fashionable or convenient.
Complete Project Management
From initial surveys and planning applications through to the final finish — one team, one contract, one point of contact. No gaps between the design and the build.
Fully insured for heritage and listed building work.
£10M Employers Liability · £3M Public Liability · £1M Professional Indemnity. Certificates available on request.
Tell us about your heritage property.
Whether you're planning a listed building alteration, a sympathetic extension or a sensitive interior renovation — we'd like to hear about it. We respond within 24 hours.
We carry £10M Employers Liability · £3M Public Liability · £1M Professional Indemnity