The Fancy Dress

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Reviews

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  Amy Flint

  I will say from the outset Steve did not want me as a client. A close friend of mine, a façade architectural engineer, no less, recommended Steve most highly. My husband and I had bought a wreck of a property, and this poor Leviathan needed more than a second wind. We contacted Steve. He agreed to meet us at said ‘wreck’ where we gave him a tour with the addition of our visionary expectations. Our budget was sadly meagre, not through lack of funds but rather ignorance to what construction costs. This area was soon ironed out, but Steve had clearly left with the impression that I was a ‘diva’. I’m a writer. I’m an archaeologist. I have a Master’s in dealing with the dead. If there’s something I’m not, it’s a diva. My hands are acquainted with dirt. But to convince Steve was an act of diplomacy all its own. Thankfully, he saw the light. Partly, I think, because I promised we would not be living at the building site. With three feral children, I had no intention of them going rogue. Steve set about working on the drawing for our upgrade and extension. We wanted a significant extension, and the first floor ceilings needed to be lowered to make a second. This was a Herculean task, but Steve put pen to paper and made it happen with no fuss. He was concerned about the attic’s height. It really bothered him. He, very sweetly, put tape on the wall, then called me to check if I was happy with the dimensions. I’m 6ft and found no reason to complain. Steve saw to everything. He designed the building, and then built it. Understanding architecture, I was keen that the person who created the vision put it into practice. Only the designer truly knows his work. To sum this up, my little, feral family have been living in this amazing property for over a year. I’ve left it this long to write a review because I wanted it to be honest. It takes time for construction to settle; it takes time for odds and ends to be ironed out… and yet, there have been no odds and ends. Thus, is Steve’s legacy. Steve is an extraordinarily talented designer and builder. We’re very grateful to him. What can I say… we live in the house Steve built. Service: Home building

  27-03-2023
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  Sarah Clarke

  Steve and his team have designed and built us a side extension together with knock through of existing kitchen and living area to create us an amazing kitchen, living and dining space, plus utility. Steve’s experience in design, build and project management has been nothing but A* from start through to completion. Steve is honest, if he doesn’t think it will look right, if it isn’t going to fit within the budget, he will tell you before hand rather than letting you go over budget or include something that doesn’t work – and looking back, he was right! His experience shines through. Steve spent time on the design, taking in consideration of all my wish list, tweaked the design together over several design meetings, and designed us a space within our budget. He answers the phone, he turns up whenever he says he is turning up, he answers any queries timely, he coordinates the trades efficiently, deals with any issues, and was present on the build to ensure things ran smoothly. The project was completed to a high standard, on time and within budget. It’s been great having him project manage, he thinks of everything, meaning I don’t have to, which has led to a pretty much stress-free build for us! The trades used were skilled, polite, paid attention to detail, turned up when they were meant to and tidied up after themselves. A great group of trades to have around during the 3-month project! At the end of the project they have dealt with any snags and been awesome about finishing some bits for us that we were meant to complete ourselves! I wouldn’t have any hesitation about using Steve and his team for any future projects and recommending him to any of my friends and family. Services: Project management, Design, Home extension services, Home renovations, Remodeling

  27-11-2022
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  tony houston

  I recently had a single-story kitchen extension, a utility room conversion with a downstairs shower and toilet and an upstairs bathroom refurbishment carried out by Steve and his team. After several planning visits and discussion of options the work was carried out to a high standard at the agreed price and I’m delighted with the outcome. All renovation and construction work involves disruption and inconvenience but Steve ensured this was kept to a minimum. I would not hesitate to recommend Steve if you are looking for planning advice and construction. Services: Landscaping, Project management, Patio construction, Home addition construction, Home extension services, Foundation pouring, Remodeling, Concrete pouring

  27-11-2022
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  Allan

  We are delighted with the extension that Steve and his team planned and built for us this year. The quality of the work completed was very high and the whole project was run very professionally. We liked Steve's approach of working out the best possible solution for our budget and we felt that this set his company apart from other builders we spoke to. In addition to doing a great job all the team were very friendly, polite and tidy which makes such a difference when you are having work like this done. Thank you once again. Services: Home addition construction, Home extension services, Home renovations

  27-07-2022
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  Russell Devonshire

  Steve and the team are a very high calibre of no-nonsense high quality tackle-it-all building company that have consistently gone above and beyond our expectations. Steve will attentively listen to your needs, and then refine and re-shape your idea to fit to your budget in order to maximise the use of the space available - he optimised our renovation/extension to create a small study seemingly out of thin air! A very welcome addition. Rather than approaching projects as set-in-stone plans that are to be adhered to (as larger firms do), Steve will check with you daily if you wish - and certainly at all stages to make sure things look how you expect. For me it's hard to envisage a space until it's being built and walls are going up - and Steve knows we all have this weakness, hence plans are kept fluid and finer details can be hashed out within budget as things take shape. This was especially useful as we had the curve-ball of the pandemic to contend with on our build, and resource scarcity. I was kept in the loop of all developments along the way and raw truth of things in the industry and the situation were discussed - I've had many professionals and contractors work for me in the past and this is the first time I didn't feel like things were being glossed over or hidden. This is a real strength of B&D. We trust Steve to deliver on time and to a high standard, so much so that we have hired him again this year to landscape our gardens with a general budget and the plan to 'make this mess manageable'. Work is storming ahead on this, the results are impressive and I know that Steve will do right by me and keep within an agreed scope. I wouldn't use anyone else. Services: Demolition, General repairs & maintenance, Flooring, Landscaping, Project management, Design, Remodeling

  27-05-2022
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  Cathy Dantec

  Steve and his team have just completed a single storey side return extension and a new kitchen. The space was limited but the result has transformed the whole downstairs. It feels like a different house. Steve and I had numerous meetings before starting the building work. He worked with me every step of the way to make me think through the space differently. He had a vision and he helped me conceptualise the space in a way I had not even considered. Working with him has been a pleasure. He is the most reliable tradesman I have ever dealt with; always on time, returning my calls promptly and keeping me updated on issues and delays. This was particularly welcome in Covid time considering the disruption to the supply chain. His whole team has been professional and friendly throughout. So, a big thank you to everyone. I will certainly be recommending Building and Drawing Services for design and building work. Cathy, York Services: Project management, Design

  27-05-2022
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  Ben Calverley

  What a brilliant experience with Building and Drawing Services! From day one Steve and his team took the time to understand what we were trying to achieve and guided us expertly through decision making and prioritisation working sensitively to our budget. This enabled them to design and implement a complete transformation of our home, building us a new kitchen and living space that has changed the way we live as a family for the better. They worked effectively throughout, communicating confidently, and never shying away from discussion. They always made time for our questions and queries and responded honestly and expertly. They worked to time, solved any issues independently and managed the whole project so much more effectively than we could have done on our own. At the end of the project they have left the site in a fabulous state, very tidy and ready for us to add our personal touches. We are now left with a fabulous new space in our home and the strongest recommendation when any one asks if we know a building and drawing service. Thanks to Steve, Pete and the Team. Services: Consultation, Drywall repair, Furniture assembly, Plumbing fixture installation, Demolition, General repairs & maintenance, Project management, Design, TV mounting, Drywall installation, Remodeling

  27-05-2021
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  Tom Sefton

  Steve offered excellent advice on our extension and loft conversion plans for a few months before we were ready to start work, and then provided comprehensive drawings and timeframes for work. The building works coincided with the arrival of our second daughter so having a toddler and newborn around building works was a difficult prospect, but he worked around us and supported us through what was potentially a very stressful and challenging time. All of his tradesmen parked considerately and went out of their way to keep noise and inconvenience to neighbours to a minimum. The work was completed to an excellent standard, on time, and he and Pete went out of their way to help us. Thanks very much for a great job - we are very pleased. We would highly recommend Steve and his team.

  27-05-2020
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  Anne Taylor

  We've had a loft conversion and a knock through and single storey extension and had no hesitation is using Building and Drawing Services. Steve walked us through the whole process, and along with Pete and the rest of the team made is as painless process as possible. They showed creativity and worked quickly and amazingly cleanly - well as clean as these things can be! Everyone worked hard, and worked as a team, and were really lovely to have around. We're absolutely delighted with the quality of the work and I know Steve will be on had for any snagging in the next few weeks. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking at work done on their homes!

  27-05-2020
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  Carrie Geddes

  We had a list of essential jobs we needed doing, a rough idea about wanting to open up the side of our house to our sunny garden - and a limited budget. We were worried about paying an architect to design something that we then couldn’t afford to have built … A friend who’d used Steve recommended him and his team as being able to see our building work through from start to finish, which is precisely what happened. Steve talked to us, came up with some wonderfully creative ideas and then project-managed everything through for us, all to an agreed timescale and budget. He has a great team, who know what they are doing and are cheerful, polite and helpful. They parked with consideration for us, and our neighbours, and always did their best to minimize the disruption and inconvenience that inevitably accompanies having major building work done. We felt very lucky to have found them and are totally thrilled with the end result.

  27-05-2019