Renovating an existing building is not a smaller construction job; it is a different one. The structure, the levels and the networks are already there, and every decision starts from what can stay, what has to be adapted and what has to go. We renovate retail stores, industrial and storage buildings, from the initial survey to handover.
Renovate or build new? Read our guide to making the decision→08 items
What the project covers
- 01
Survey of the existing building
Before any work starts we record the building as it is: dimensions, levels, structural members, networks and defects. The drawings of an existing building rarely match what is on site, and the differences need to show up in the design, not during construction.
- 02
Strip-out & demolition
Removal of old floors, linings, suspended ceilings and partitions, with the materials sorted. Strip-out follows a sequence that protects what stays, and it often uncovers things that change the plan — which is why it comes before the final programme.
- 03
Structural adaptations
New openings, strengthening of columns and slabs, new stairs or levels, with a structural design for every intervention. In concrete and steel buildings the joint between new and existing is the critical point, and it is designed before work begins.
- 04
Floors & tiling
Repair or a new floor slab, levelling and final finishes for retail or industrial use. The flatness of the existing slab is checked first, because it decides whether a new finish is enough or the slab needs remedial work.
- 05
Networks
New drainage, stormwater and service runs through existing slabs and walls. Every cut into an existing element is recorded and made good, so that no weak point is left in the floor or the waterproofing.
- 06
Entrances, ramps & stairs
Access redesigned: ramps, stairs, railings and entrance canopies, in line with accessibility requirements and the client's identity.
- 07
External works
Paving, asphalt, parking, drainage and planting around the building, so that the renovation does not stop at the front door.
- 08
Phased works
When part of the building or its surroundings stays in use, we organise the site in phases, with separate routes for the public and the crews and secure hoarding.
What we check before a renovation
The cost and duration of a renovation are decided by what cannot be seen. That is why we start with a site visit and a survey, before any binding quote.
We check the structure for cracks, corroded reinforcement and past alterations made without a design, the floor slab for settlement and flatness, and the networks for whether they can serve the new use. We also check the building's planning status, because a change of use or a new level may need a permit.
That check tells us what stays as it is, what is repaired and what is replaced — and gives a programme based on real data.
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From our work
04 answers
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to renovate or to demolish and rebuild?
It depends on the condition of the structure and on how far the new use is from the current one. When the structure is sound and the levels work, renovation is usually faster and cheaper. When extensive strengthening is needed, the comparison has to be made with numbers.
Does a renovation need a permit?
Interior works that do not touch the structure usually need only a small-scale works approval. Structural interventions, a change of use or an extension need a building permit. We check this at the start, so that the programme includes the permitting.
Can the building stay in use during the works?
Often yes, in part. We organise the works in phases, with separated areas and safe routes, and where needed we move noisy work outside opening hours.
Do you take on only part of the works?
Yes. We can take on the whole renovation or a defined scope — for example the building works and external works — coordinating our work with the other contractors on the project.
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