Repairing buildings with their history intact
Solmaz carries out building restoration across London, repairing older and historic properties so they last another generation without losing their character. We work on masonry, timber, plaster, roofs and joinery, using traditional materials and methods alongside careful modern repair. The starting point is always the building itself: what is original, what has failed, and what can be saved rather than replaced.
Work to a listed building needs a light hand and the right paperwork. We survey the fabric, agree an approach that keeps as much original material as possible, and carry out repairs that are honest to the period. Where consent is required we work within it, coordinate with conservation officers and keep a clear record of what was done, so the building’s history and its value are both protected.
Respecting what is already there
Every period property has quirks that a general builder can miss, and the wrong repair can cause damage that shows up years later. We take time to understand how the building was put together before we touch it, use materials that let it breathe, and repair in a way that can be undone or matched in future. Owners of a period property come to us because we treat old fabric as something to conserve, not an inconvenience to cover up.
Traditional methods
Lime mortars, traditional finishes and hand skills are used where modern shortcuts would do more harm than good.
Matched materials
Brick, stone, timber and plaster are matched to the original so repairs settle in rather than stand out.
Listed building know-how
We understand what listed status allows, and we keep the work within consent and properly recorded.
Sympathetic repair
The aim is to repair and keep original fabric wherever it can be saved, not to strip it out and replace it.
Restoration work we carry out
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Masonry and stonework:
Repointing in lime, brick and stone repair and rebuilding, carried out as sympathetic building restoration that matches the original. -
Timber and joinery repair:
Windows, doors, staircases and structural timber repaired or remade to the original profiles. -
Plaster and finishes:
Lime plaster, cornicing and traditional decoration, restored by hand where machine work would lose the detail.
Questions on heritage and listed work
Can you work on a listed building?
Yes. We are used to working on a listed building, keeping repairs within consent, using appropriate materials and coordinating with the conservation officer where needed.
Will repairs match the original?
That is the point of the work. We match brick, stone, timber, mortar and finishes to what is already there, so a repair reads as part of the building rather than a patch.
Do you use lime rather than cement?
On older buildings, yes. Lime mortars and plasters let solid walls breathe, whereas cement traps moisture and causes damage. We use the right material for the wall in front of us.
Do I need listed building consent?
Often, for anything that affects character or fabric. We can advise on what is likely to need consent and work alongside your architect or our planning and consultancy team to arrange it.
Can you handle both repair and modern updates?
We can. Many owners want a period property repaired sensitively while heating, wiring and bathrooms are brought up to date, and we plan the two together so neither spoils the other.
How do you price restoration work?
After a survey we set out an itemised quotation. Older buildings can hold surprises once opened up, so we flag likely unknowns early and agree any extra work in writing before carrying it out.
