“We found the land back in June 2024 and started investigating the possibilities of converting the barn. The projects on Vernacular Homes’ website seemed very similar to what we wanted so we got in touch before we’d even put an offer in on the land.

“We spoke to Trevor and straight off, he was giving us impartial, free advice about how we could make it work under Class Q, and the chances of succeeding with planning approval.We took his advice and after having our offer accepted, we then commissioned Vernacular Homes to take care of the design and planning application. They got everything done before we even completed on the sale, so the day our purchase was all finalised, they were ready to submit the application immediately and it got approved quickly. They had given us a quote for the full build too and it was the natural choice to go with them. We didn’t feel the need to negotiate on the price because we knew it reflected the quality of their work and we wanted everything to be just right.

“The most important thing to us was that all the space would be utilised. We’re not very ‘open plan’ people so we wanted functionality with mostly separate rooms but some open plan elements.

“The Vernacular team came up with the first design and made lots of great suggestions – they’re really good with coming up with solutions to design problems. They also pre-empt issues, catching things before you’ve committed money to them. If there’s anything we’ve changed our mind about, they’re so accommodating and will always give us honest feedback and alternatives if our ideas aren’t going to work.

“Every month, our invoice from them tells us exactly what we’ve paid for and the percentage of tasks completed so far. There have been no surprises at all so far – in fact, there have been a few areas where we’ve saved money as we’ve made small changes that Oliver has been able to make savings on for us.

“My advice to anyone taking on a similar project would be to work with someone like Vernacular Homes. Talk to them first and get their opinion – they know what they’re doing and they’re so honest and passionate about what they do. They’ve made the whole process enjoyable, taken any stress away from us and importantly, they do everything they say they’re going to do.

It’s early days in the build but the thing I’m most looking forward to when it’s finished is seeing our kids grow up in the house. It’s such a big place that they can grow into, they’ll have their own bedrooms and lots of land to enjoy. It’s going to be a dream house and I can’t see us planning to move any time in the future.”

“We originally explored the project with two other potential builders but what we liked about Vernacular Homes was that it was all in: planning, design, build was all managed by them, as well as contracting. I imagine that project managing and organising contractors yourself can be stressful, so having them take care of it all made everything straightforward.

“We found it really easy to work with them – right from the moment we started talking, we knew they were the people we wanted for the job. The design they came up with fitted the same footprint as the original plans but was quite different. However, they managed the process really well and made sure it got through planning. In fact, the approval went through really quickly – we bought the land in April and they started clearing the site in August.

“At the time, our son was moving out and our daughter was at university, so we wanted a home for my wife and me to live in, but that was also well set up for when people come to stay. Having a bedroom with en-suite downstairs is ideal for when either of our mothers visit, but also futureproofs the house for when we’re older.

“There were also things we wanted to incorporate, like solar tiles, that we weren’t sure would be approved due to the house being on the edge of the Ashdown Forest. However, Matthew handled everything and knew which products would work.

“They were also great with advice throughout; when it came to electrics, rather than just asking us where we wanted switches and sockets, for example, Ollie had really good ideas and suggested things like a set of spotlights down one wall in the house. It’s different to just working directly with a tradesman yourself, who might not necessarily suggest the best set-up.

“When it came to the budget, I felt that the costs were agreed in advance, so what you signed up for was what you paid. The planning was spot-on too; they were always on time and never fell behind. Even when our plans for a projector in the lounge that disappears into the ceiling when not in use posed some challenges, they took it in their stride and made sure it all worked and was compliant.

“Even now, a few years on from completing the house, they’re still around to help. For example, a piece of weatherboard fell down recently and we contacted them for advice on putting it right. Instead, they sent someone to fix it for us – even though it was five years since the house was completed. And while the tradesman was here, he asked if there was anything else we wanted looking at, which really impressed me.

“My favourite thing about the house is the kitchen because the room is so different to what most houses have. It’s the main space where people congregate and it’s lovely that it’s double aspect, light and airy.

“The whole design has made great use of the land we have. The house sits away from other properties and there are views across the field from the lounge, bedroom and kitchen.

“They were an excellent company to work with – helpful, thoughtful and the project never felt stressful. It felt like a partnership, where they were helping us achieve exactly what we wanted.”

“The decision to buy our property was rash at best. The prospect of this classic Georgian farmhouse becoming our home, with its array of charming outbuildings, a wild garden and swathes of daffodils all bathed in the spring sunshine, melted our resolve to avoid a project.

“The decision to ask Vernacular Homes to take on that project, however, turned a rash decision into one of the best we have ever made. A two-year project ensued to renovate and re-model a house barely touched since the 1960s, cleverly linking it to one of the outbuildings and saving two others from near dereliction by converting them into delightful self-catering accommodation and workshops. From the initial meeting and design stage right through to completion, working with VH was a positive, surprisingly enjoyable experience – the only stress came from the relentless decision-making!

“They listened and advised, offered ideas and successfully interpreted some of our quirkier ones. Preserving the view of the farmhouse, and particularly the oast conversion, from the gateway was important for us and successfully achieved by thoughtful design. One of the stranger things we asked of them was to finish the newly insulated walls in the converted oast stowage area to resemble its original timber shed construction. They did it beautifully and appeared to relish the challenge, likewise, re-fitting an original and ridiculously lop-sided door frame against all their natural instincts.

“It goes without saying that the quality of their work from design onwards was first class but for us what made Vernacular outstanding was their care, not just for the customer, and the site but the surrounding community who were impacted by the disruption and intrusion of a building site on their doorstep.

“Our neighbours were as equally impressed by the site management and the VH team as we were. We only moved into the house towards the end of the first year but throughout, both the project and site manager kept in communication with the neighbours directly, dealing with their concerns, warning of any unavoidable inconvenience in advance and ensuring that the narrow no-through road remained as accessible and mud-free as possible.

“Similarly, they took very particular care to protect a special area of the garden during the most destructive phase of the works, making their job significantly more awkward.

“Our concerns were always met with courtesy and positivity, and queries were always dealt with quickly. Their willingness to advise and be a resource for information still continues, something we every much appreciate – thank you VH.”

“Since successful completion of our first build, Vernacular has continued to offer support, quickly addressing any minor issues and ensuring we are happy with our home. The experience was so positive that we decided to build a second house with Vernacular.

“The second project was equally satisfying, with the same level of dedication and quality. The team managed to deliver another beautiful home – again on budget and ahead of schedule. 

“We would not hesitate to recommend Vernacular to anyone considering a self-build project.”

“It was a shock to find out that the plans which had gone through and been accepted by the local authority were virtually ‘unbuildable’ and would cost way over budget. Contacting Vernacular was the best thing we did; they were very happy to meet on site or wherever was convenient and listened, which is so important!

“They took time for discussions and letting us think about what would work for our lifestyle, were sensitive to what was not wanted and gave great advice. We ended up with a design we are really happy with and I am confident the build will go ahead in the same way.

“We moved to the area in 2010 and lived in the grange before we had any work done. The plan was to convert the barn first so we could live there while the grange was refurbished. I first approached Vernacular Homes as I was looking for someone with barn conversion experience. Trevor was the first person from the team that I spoke to and he was very accommodating. They’d worked on around 40-50 barn conversions so it was clear they had a great legacy and history. Trevor came and looked at the property which was a hay barn, and within a week he’d given us an estimate. They clearly know how to price a project because we ended up coming within just 5% of that original estimate. That really impressed me – to hit that kind of budget so closely.

“When I met the rest of the team, you could tell how good they were. I liked that they were a family-run business; you just got that extra sense of customer service, and felt that they really wanted to do right by their client. It’s personal; you’re not dealing with a corporate machine.

“The planning process was very smooth even though we changed from a four to a five bed property. We added a significant amount of square footage and an amazing atrium. We did all this in conversation with the team pre-planning.

“The barn was in fairly good condition and Trevor was confident that it wouldn’t require a major rebuild. He was very confident about material selections and walked us through the whole process. Aesthetically, where they’ve needed to add timbers it’s been done very sympathetically. The craftsmanship with the wood is excellent. The timber is naturally misshapen and knarled, but the detailing in the plasterwork around the beams is exceptional; I’ve had a lot of properties refurbished and this is some of the best plaster work I’ve ever seen.

“I love the atrium in the barn. The two barn doors are all now glass and double height, and there’s a walkway on the first floor; it’s my favourite spot when I’m working from home.  I sit at the dining room table in the middle of the room and have light flooding into it. I love the feeling of light and space.

“For the work on our existing house, the grange, originally we were thinking of using a company with more experience of old buildings. Although it’s not listed, it has that appearance. However, we were so pleased with the end product of the barn and their approach to sourcing, hitting the budget, and quality, we just knew we wanted to use them for that project too.”

“The grange was a Victorian rectory built in 1892. The previous owner had not updated the property since around 1967/68 and so it included lots of original features from that time including the kitchen, an oil-fired boiler in the cellar that looked like it could power a liner, and even things like silk curtains and carpets from the 60s which must have been stunning in their time.

“There were no showers in the house, no insulation and just slate tiles on the roof, and single pane windows. Our children actually used to get ice on the inside of their bedroom windows – the heating bills were unbelievable! So there was a huge amount of work to do.

“Having seen the amazing job Vernacular Homes had done on our barn conversion, we knew we wanted them to work on this project too.

“We extended the tiny kitchen, doubling its size and added the sympathetic extension with new apexes to match the original ones. The existing plans were for a very modern extension which we just didn’t feel would work. So we discussed it with Vernacular Homes and came up with a much better design that just blends with the house.  

“We also had new ground source heating installed which involved digging kilometres of piping, and had new plumbing and wiring installed.

“We wanted to maintain as many features as we could so we opened up three fireplaces and rather than refurbishing the original windows, which would’ve been prohibitive in terms of cost, we instead installed bespoke timber framed replacements – 50 in total.   

“All of this had to go through planning which Vernacular Homes was enormously helpful with. I think the planners were happy that we were keeping the façade, and bringing the property up to modern standards without destroying the features.

“Throughout the project, the nice thing about working with the team was the constant communication; they took so much of the stress away from me. Getting trades in during covid was really difficult and I imagine the site manager, Ashley, was pulling his hair out, but I would never have known because he just managed that with the staff. Having someone on site like him is invaluable. I’ve seen people attempt to project manage a build themselves and encounter constant problems with subcontractors involving huge time and cost overruns, so I never wanted to do it myself. To keep on top of all the trades and understand if they’re carrying out work exactly as they should be, you really need that experience. Having said that, all of the trade teams were fantastic.  I’ve had Vernacular Homes’ painters come back afterwards and do work for me because I’ve rated their painting – in fact, I always go back to them for recommendations for trades. I’ve worked with a number of them and I know the work they can produce.

“The house is now a 5000 sqm, seven bedroom, six bathroom property. We also transformed the attic room into accommodation for our au pair, with her own bathroom. The whole team has done an amazing job. I’ve worked with contractors before on renovations who have been difficult, but everyone was so easy to work with and the finish is just exceptional.”

“The barn was on the land of my parents’ home, where I’d lived with them as a child. Prior to instructing Vernacular Homes, I had noticed a number of planning applications being approved for similar barns in the area to be converted. I suggested to my parents that we should also apply for change of use permission and convert the barn into a holiday let. We got initial consent and then didn’t progress with the project for around two years while we decided what to do.

“Eventually, we put the project out to tender. We knew of Vernacular Homes as they’d worked on two or three barns in the area, we’d heard good things about them and knew they delivered high-end projects.  After talking to them and being pleased with the quote they provided, we decided to instruct them.

“We started work with them in June 2020, and despite being in the middle of Covid, they were not concerned at all and just ploughed ahead, working within the restrictions of the pandemic.

“They took control over everything, assisted us and amended the planning. They also made suggestions for improvements; for example, we originally planned a covered balcony but they said the cost would be significant and that particular part of the property wouldn’t get much sun, so instead they changed the layout and made the room bigger, which worked so much better. They also gave us advice on the planned dressing room area – they said it would be too small, particularly as it was in the eaves and we were concerned about head height. They worked around it and configured the area so it works really well. They also suggested moving the stairs which has resulted in a much larger hallway.

“They amended and resubmitted our planning to incorporate all these changes, as well as dealing with the boundaries on the application to properly separate the barn from the main house, which my parents still live in. They also organised everything from the building inspector, to liaising with local services such as UK power networks to get us connected.

“It was important to us to make the house as self-efficient as possible with a very high energy performance rating. So we used a local solar panel company who installed about twenty panels; Vernacular Homes worked really well with them. We also installed an air source heat pump as we’re not on mains gas. We kept the property as airtight as possible and put underfloor heating throughout the ground floor and first floor, which also gave us more wall space through not installing radiators.

“We also used lots of high quality technology throughout the home and Vernacular Homes’ electrician was brilliant – I’ve actually used him on other projects since. The whole team is great: we had a really bad snow storm in the winter and the guys just turned up, I couldn’t believe it! They’ve really refined their team and have some great tradesmen. They’re not just workers, they really care about a project.

“What I really liked was the contact and communication. If there were ever any delays or issues, they always kept us updated. You really get the personal touch from them too. When we were picking bathrooms, they invited us to their offices to look at our plans on their computer and show us how different designs might look – it made making decisions so much easier. “The property was finished about a year ago and it’s lovely – we’ve named it Old Harrow Barn. If ever I stay there, it’s amazing to wake up in the bedroom and think about the fact that I used to play in the barn as a child and now it’s this fantastic property. My favourite part of the barn is the cinema room – there were some initial disagreements about it with my parents as it was probably the biggest expense, but it was well worth it as everyone who has stayed there loves it. I also love the kitchen –  we’ve had parties up there and it’s a great entertaining room. We’ve had no major snagging issues at all, everyone always comments on what a beautiful property it is. It’s a great family asset and a really popular holiday let.

“We first approached Vernacular Homes when we were in the process of buying the barns. The main barn had planning permission but the second one didn’t, and we wanted to be confident that we could get permission to convert it. I specifically wanted builders with experience of atcost barns and they came up in my search, so I got in touch.

“I was so impressed with Trevor and I’m really happy I got him involved before the sale. He offered so much advice on the planning application. The original company we were talking to said that we would not be able to get permission to convert the additional barn on the land, and were very negative. But Trevor knew that we would have a good chance and advised us to try to gain permission to convert it into a separate, detached dwelling. He just had such good relationships with the council and knew the planners by name. He had great experience and understanding of all the covenants involved, and the minutiae of dealing with the local authority. The land is also in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and I had assumed we would get conversion rights under agricultural rules, but Trevor rightly advised me otherwise.

“When it came to planning, Trevor also advised us to get consent for the temporary mobile home we’ve built to live in during the build. We didn’t know we’d need permission, but he said it would be advisable, just to be ‘squeaky clean’ and stay on the right side of the planners. We’ve got a lovely four-bedroom, two-bathroom log cabin which is great for us, our three children and dog, and we can sell it once the barns are finished. Having the planning permission just gives us that peace of mind.

“He’s also helped us and dealt with all the ‘boring’ but important details such as insurance, and tax advice. He advised us about the VAT we could reclaim at the end of the build which has been incredibly helpful. We have a self-build mortgage and we’ve had to satisfy various requirements for lenders and for the insurance, and he’s been so helpful with that. We’re dealing with substantial sums of money so it’s so reassuring that we have confidence in him and the team; they’ve helped us to save money and add value to the site.

“I’d never heard of a design & build company before I came across Vernacular Homes; most people normally hire an architect to prepare drawings and then find a builder. So I was sceptical at first, but they’ve just been incredible. For example, initially I thought the virtual models that they create sounded a bit gimmicky but they are absolutely invaluable – particularly in a barn where there are lots of differing heights and unusual angles. I wanted a double-height ceiling but couldn’t visualise it so they rendered the drawings and it was amazingly helpful. It enabled us to make some design changes and understand exactly how they would look. What was also lovely was how much they shared our excitement in the design – my mum actually made the comment that they were as enthusiastic as if they were building their own home.

“Day to day, it’s just a pleasure having them all on site. Every member of the team is polite, tidy, friendly and reassuring.

“So far, the second smaller barn is finished and is now a lovely, cosy two bed detached cottage for my mum who has emigrated from Canada. The finish is excellent – we only had two minor items on our snagging list and they’ve been dealt with very quickly.

“The larger barn is very close to having windows and doors and the team are cracking on over the pre-Christmas period to get some of the inside finished too. I’m most excited to see the vaulted ceiling and my walk-in dressing room. I’ve also got some amazing over the top, very heavy chandeliers coming and the team has been great getting the roof ready to make sure it can hold the weight!  

“Overall, I’m just so pleased we’re working with Vernacular Homes. They’re on time, on budget, give incredible advice and are just lovely people to work with. I’d recommend them to anyone.”  

Last updated November 2023

Build in progress – updated December 2023

“We wanted to make some changes to the original design, to create a home more suitable to our personal tastes and lifestyle. We juggled the bedrooms around, made the utility room bigger, moved the window positions and generally made minor tweaks to make it a more ‘useable’ home for our family needs. We had to resubmit the planning applications but that went through successfully.

“So far, we’ve only just finished the groundwork so it’s a work in progress, but we know what the layout and sizes of the room will be.

“Being a new build rather than a conversion, it’s a very sequential process – the team at Vernacular Homes has scheduled the different tradespeople in and kept us to a smooth timeline.
We have been taken through various designs and updated at every stage. No stone has been left unturned – we have discussed things like electrical layouts, kitchen design, how the house will be used – to make sure it really works for everyday living.

“We have a planned pause in the project until the second week of January, and my focus for the moment is making any final design decisions by Christmas. I’m picky and they all know that at Vernacular, but they are very accommodating, always listen and everything is going well. I’m looking forward to seeing the house completed.”

“We’d had the barn for a long time and only ever used it for storage. Lots of people had mentioned to me that it would make a nice conversion and that if I didn’t do it, then whoever eventually bought my house would. So, I thought I would do it myself, to make sure it was lovely.

“My daughter-in-law first found Vernacular Homes online and they seemed to have a lot of experience with barns, so my son got in touch and they sent someone round to look at the site. When someone from Vernacular Homes came to visit, I was so impressed both with his interest in the project and his knowledge of barn conversions. My son then got in touch with Trevor to discuss the business side of the project and again, he too was really impressed. I was told by friends that I should really get some more quotes but there wasn’t anyone comparable in my mind; they were just so nice and it felt ‘right’.

“I had strong ideas about some of the things I wanted; for example, I wanted a beautiful staircase that looked out onto the garden. But they came up with some lovely ideas too, such as installing a balcony on the first floor so I could see down to the first floor. Also, their suggestion to insulate on the outside of the house was such a good idea. I really wanted to be able to see the beams and this allowed me to do that. They asked me if I’d like to keep some beams in the bathroom which were originally due to be removed; I’m so glad they did as I kept them and it’s honestly the most beautiful bathroom I’ve ever seen.

“There was a marvellous ‘can do’ feeling about the build; no question of ‘We can’t do that because of such-and-such’. Everything that I was keen to do or have was considered. On the rare occasion that a request wasn’t possible, the reason why was explained to me and I understood. Also, the builders came up with good ideas of their own, for example: the conversion of space in the ceiling into two, very necessary, cupboards.  

“The driveway was the closest I came to upset; when the council initially refused to allow me a private driveway, I nearly lost it! It was so important to me as I know what issues a shared driveway can cause and I just didn’t want any potential problems with neighbours in the future. I got in touch with Trevor and he told me to leave it with him. Within a day, he’d spoken to the council and sorted it all out by suggesting adding a vehicle turning point. I was so grateful. He has so much experience and good relationships with the planners, he just knew exactly how to speak with them and solve the problem.

“I can honestly say there wasn’t anybody who worked for them who wasn’t excellent. I think their painter was the best I’ve seen. And the whole team always talked me through everything and were lovely to speak to – I actually enjoyed having them here!“

“In the three years I’ve lived here (since 2020) nothing has gone wrong. My favourite thing about the barn is when I sit in the main open area downstairs and look out; I have huge French windows on one side and smaller windows on the other side to see the field and my garden – it’s just fabulous.”

“This Victorian barn was originally used for keeping the cart horses for the farm; a small area of brick work, wood above and then a tiled roof. It was unusual in that the brickwork followed the slope of the floor, and so did the roof.

“We wanted to keep the original wood as much as we could, which presented a challenge as asbestos had to be removed from the roof, allowing the frame to be retained so that the team could follow the original slope of the building. They worked with the slopes really well; the inside of the building is on different tiers which are all level, but from the outside, the sloping profile has been retained, which is an important part of the building’s history.

“The house is unusual and beautiful. There is light flooding in from both sides and it has a feature wall made of the original timbers. The whole inside is lovely and quirky, with a mixture of tiny windows and great big ones; it flows so beautifully, and they’ve kept as much original framework exposed as they could. The team is so good at preserving and enhancing what’s already there. They know how to bring something old into the modern world without spoiling its character.

“What I really liked about working with Vernacular Homes is that they really listen, without giving the impression that ‘we know better than you’. I’ve worked with other builders who nod along as you’re telling them what you’d like and then go off and do their own thing. But they were so open to everything and easy to talk to; we were so impressed with them.

“This barn, and all of the properties they worked on for us are tenanted; in fact, they flew off the market really quickly!”

“While the Vernacular Homes team was working on three other projects for us: The Potting Shed, The Tractor Shed and Home Farm Barn, we started to consider what other buildings they might be able to work on for us. Being well-versed in barn conversions, we thought they could do a great job on two of our other barns – this one, Barn A, and also, Barn B, Loddington Lane, so we asked them for ideas. They came back with amazing proposals – something we really liked about working with them.

“On all our projects, they produced detailed plans, with lots of images which worked well for us, being very ‘visual’ people. If there was anything we wanted to change, they’d sit with us to go through and explain everything, so it was all in place before planning was submitted.

“There were a number of challenges with Barn A, mainly due to Covid and Brexit but we were really impressed with how Vernacular Homes dealt with them.  

“A shortage of lorry drivers meant getting the materials to site was a challenge. Prices were also increasing dramatically, especially wood which became very scarce – a real issue as these were larch clad buildings. However, Vernacular Homes managed to keep working and altering the schedule around what materials were available. The only item that caused a hold-up was the metal framework for Barn A as it had been produced in the north of England and could only be transported via lorry. Vernacular Homes did not let this delay work, however, and got on with Barn B while they awaited its arrival.

“To mitigate the rising costs, the team did their utmost to get materials on site and into storage there before they were needed. We didn’t have space for everything, so they created a special storage area for the wood to prevent it from warping in the wet. They also took the time to source a local supplier for the aluminium windows which helped to bring the cost down considerably and avoid any delivery delays. I even went to see them being made which we enjoyed – not something you see every day.

“Another difficulty arose when we broke ground and discovered a spring which we were not aware of. Plus, the ground underneath was clay, so a lot of drainage had to be installed. There are two Victorian cottages close by, so we had to be mindful of any noise and disruption to the residents while this work was being carried out. Vernacular Homes was very considerate and instead of driving large muck lorries up to the property, they took any waste down to the nearby field where it was later removed by lorry. They also crushed a lot of the concrete which we were able to recycle and use as hardcore.

“The end result is two beautiful homes; I especially like the high staircase in Lime Tree Barn which splits into two, creating two ‘wings’. The idea to recess the walls and create a courtyard was also great; it means that both barns are flooded with light from either side, despite the fact they are surrounded by trees. They’ve really made them look interesting, even the little slit windows at the back of the property let in so much light and were really well thought through.”

“Home Farm was originally a very unusual group of linked barns and buildings built around a central concrete courtyard, with a sloping floor. The previous design from the original architects for this conversion just didn’t flow well but Trevor and the team came up with lots of great suggestions.

“Although the building wasn’t listed, we wanted to retain its character. There was an awful lot of concrete flooring which we were keen to retain, as digging up and replacing would have incurred significant costs. This meant there were levelling issues as the floor was sloped due to its original use as a slurry. The Vernacular team was great at working around this; they managed to level the floor and include underfloor heating.

“There was an external overhang with beautiful oak beams which was tricky to work with and insulate but by being creative with the levels in the house, they managed to preserve this lovely feature. Turning what was essentially a barn and pig sties into a lovely six bed, ensuite home, while exposing as much of the original wood as possible was a challenge but one they dealt with beautifully.

“The discovery of bats was an issue before and during the build and once they had left the building, there was a stipulation that all the open apertures had to be closed again so that they didn’t get back in. Vernacular Homes worked around this by creating special removeable screens which they could take down in the mornings, do their work, then replace at night.

“Another challenge was that we had to install fire escapes in the bathroom, which involved creating steps to reach Velux windows. This could have been a fairly unattractive addition to the property, but the team managed to come up with a design that flowed really well.

“They also had to work through the Covid pandemic but always managed to keep the project ticking over.

“We had such a good rapport with them. They’d give me a list of suggestions for everything we discussed, which I’d then share with our chairman. I would sometimes come up with what I thought might be unviable ideas, but they never made me feel that way – they would always work with us. I had great fun picking all the finishes like light fittings, and I got some jazzy tiles for one of the bathrooms – they carried out those ideas beautifully. I was also very instrumental in the landscaping around the buildings and even with their grounds people; I never felt overlooked or as though my ideas were not valid.

“This was a stunning project with a slightly higher end finish than the other builds; I particularly love the galleried staircase that looks over the main living and kitchen areas.”

“After doing such a fantastic job on The Potting Sheds, Vernacular Homes went on to convert The Tractor Shed. This was the smallest of the properties they worked on, and the easiest to do. It was originally built as a garage for a previous owner’s Daimlers, and later, as the name suggests, used as a tractor shed.

“The original architect’s design was for a two-storey dwelling which we were not happy with; Vernacular Homes came up with a much better plan, keeping everything on one level.

“Although not a particularly large or prepossessing building, it had some attractive brickwork which was nicely rounded and a beautiful colour. It also had lovely windows which we wanted to wrap the kitchen around; Vernacular Homes came up with a lovely window seating idea that works really well.

“The only real challenge with this build was the amount of excavating involved. The land was a working farm, so areas near the building had been used as a dumping ground and there was considerable soil, piles of leaves and other material which had to be reduced quite considerably.

“Although this property was intended for staff use as opposed to being rented out, the team still took care to accommodate as many of our ideas as they could and provided a high standard of finish within the budget.“

“The end result is a lovely, spacious, two-bedroom home with a large open space living, kitchen and dining area. The original roof has been retained and is vaulted – a lovely feature.”

“Linton Park was previously The Cornwallis country estate which was split up at the end of the 1970s. The mansion house has been owned by our company since 1985 and we acquired the remaining land and properties when they were sold in 2015. There were a number of barns and outbuildings which we wanted to develop and let out as rental properties. They came with planning permission but as we progressed, we lost confidence in the architects that had drawn them up, as well as the builder we were planning to use.

“I first came across Vernacular Homes when I saw an advert in the Wealden Times. We needed a company that specialised in barn conversions and vernacular housing, which is exactly what they do. After looking at their website, I discussed them with our chairman, who was impressed with what he saw so we got in touch. 

“On our first meeting, we took them around what is now The Potting Sheds. It was a range of buildings that were linked but open. We wanted them to be turned into a unique two-bedroom house but designed differently to the current plans. Although we were working to a budget, we really wanted the property to have a high standard of finish. As well as this property, we originally appointed them to work on two others: Home Farm and The Tractor Shed. We really loved the re-worked designs. 
 
“Part of our company ethos is ‘looking after things for the future’ and that’s something they really understood. They worked with us on all the ideas, and any changes we suggested, keeping within budget but also being sympathetic to the building. 

“Once work started on The Potting Sheds, there were a few challenges; one of which was to find bricks that looked similar to the originals, as well as Kent peg tiles to go with the existing ones, and they matched them all really well.  

“The next was that they also had to bring in water supplies because the water board instructed that each property had to have its own supply. They also had to install drainage linked to the main drainage of the house but because this property was slightly lower, it had to have a small pumping station to create suitable pressure. 

“They’ve created a beautiful property; I particularly love the windows they made to fit the arch openings in the building. Each is slightly different to fit the gap perfectly; it enhances these original features and they look lovely. They also replicated some intricate Victorian barge boards on the roof as some were rotten – it was a really authentic restoration. 

“It really felt like we worked on the whole project together. They came up with some very good ideas, but they were also amenable to our suggestions. I cannot praise them enough!”

“We found Vernacular Homes when my wife saw an advert for them and liked the look of their projects. The contractors we were due to start work with had just announced their prices were to increase significantly, and they were not helpful when it came to mitigating these costs. Not only that, but their communication was poor, they had no particular ideas for the build, and they’d charged a lot already before we’d even broken ground; we just had no faith in them, so we looked elsewhere.

“Working with Vernacular Homes was completely different. With them, we felt like we had an expert in the room. The planned basement was the most expensive part of the build, so they suggested scrapping that idea and going up into the roof instead, and so they changed the design and planning for us. They gave us lots of choices and great advice. We always felt reassured by them and that we were being given direction and help.

“Right from the beginning, we were always told what the plan was: there were no surprises. I hugely underestimated what was involved in the project management side of the build but it all just happened seamlessly. We were always informed about what the next stage would be, and when payment would be due. Every member of the team was a pleasure to deal with. They suffered what we sometimes felt were stupid questions and always made us feel that nothing was too much trouble. We just had huge confidence in them.

“They’re a fantastic family company and the quality of the house is brilliant. Some time after living here, we had a few snags with the windows, so I got in touch with them. They hadn’t actually built these themselves, but they came in and looked at them, and decided that as there was an issue with one window, it might happen to the others too, so they fixed and repainted every single one, which was brilliant. The fact that you can just make a call and they’re there, reinforces what a great company they are.

“We’ve lived here for some time now and we often talk about the house and how lucky we feel to live here. My favourite thing about it is the view from the kitchen diner. There’s nothing really about the house that we would change.”

“We’d been living in the house for about four years and although it was in good condition, it was quite dated. It was also separated into lots of different rooms, and we really wanted to open it up and change the footprint by linking it to the barn.

“We’d already spoken to two or three architects and had actually taken one on, but it didn’t quite feel right, so that’s when we approached Vernacular Homes. The fact that they take care of everything from the architectural side, through to all the trades was really appealing.

“They started out by asking us to focus on our top three requirements – lots of light, a more open feeling, and to connect to the barn on two levels. We really liked that although they had lots of suggestions, they were very open to our ideas and listened to what we wanted; we didn’t feel like we had a big flashy architect telling us what to do – it felt very collaborative.

“We were very particular about preserving the character of the property in certain areas; we didn’t want everything to look brand new. So, although the downstairs of the barn looks like a lovely modern room, which is what we wanted, they retained the beams in the house and two inglenook fireplaces, and the exterior has remained in keeping with its age. Even the radiators look just as they should and we chose French doors, rather than bi-folding, which fit the look of the house.

“The biggest challenge by far was joining the barn to the house; it was very labour intensive and therefore the most expensive part of the build by far. However, from the start, they were very precise and open about the budget; there was negligible movement on every cost they’d estimated, meaning we didn’t overspend at all.

“I can honestly say we found them extraordinary to work with. Everything was so timely and planned well. We knew in advance exactly when we would need to decide about things like paint colours and bathroom fittings, so we never felt like we were being made to make last minute decisions. We’d have meetings every couple of weeks or so, and nothing was too much trouble; we could edit the plans in situ, within reason, which was really helpful. It’s quite stressful, taking on such a large project; I didn’t anticipate how hectic it would be picking fittings for six bathrooms, but they were great at taking piecemeal information from us, which really helped.

“We’ve only been living in the house for around three weeks and we love it. It’s everything they said it would be and more. One of the things I love is the staircase; we had two in the original property, but they turned it into one and it’s a lovely feature that connects the barn to the house.

“They’ve already been back once to check everything and take care of the first snag list; I feel I can call on them at any time. We’ve been singing their praises and have already recommended them to multiple people.

“We definitely got what we wanted; it’s a dream build that we want to live in forever.”

“We’re so pleased that we chose Vernacular Homes, because we really felt they worked with us and listened, so that we got the home we wanted.

When we first met with them, we’d had two other quotes already, but we just didn’t gel with the other companies. The moment we met Trevor and the team they immediately gave us a great deal of confidence in their ability to work with our vision. They came across as specialists and showed us lots of their previous work, even taking us on a site visit to Kent. The fact they’re a family business really came through; honesty and authenticity just oozed out of them. Pricewise, they were in the middle of the quotes we’d had, but what we really liked is that they were very comprehensive in how they created a budget.

This was our first project and so we perhaps had a slightly naïve approach but we found their guidance to be gentle and sympathetic. The customer is always right but sometimes we weren’t – and in those instances, they took the time to listen and give advice without being prescriptive. During the whole process, there was never any friction or cross words; it all ran smoothly.

The quality and workmanship have endured. We’re very happy with the barn and there is very little that we would change. The fitting and everything internally worked extremely well. We went big when it came to the windows and the light is just fantastic. We’re also really happy with the use of timber; in some barn conversions, the amount can be a bit overwhelming, but we went for minimal timber and it works so well.

We also expected that there might be an element of movement in the wood as it’s a live product and it could have affected the plaster, but we’ve never had any problems – structurally, it’s still very sound. That’s down to how it’s been built and assembled and the people working on the job: the tilers, joiners, electricians – everyone vernacular brought in, was of such a high standard. There were minor snags as you’d expect with any build, but Vernacular Homes has always been very responsive and still are today; I feel I could pick up the phone any time if I needed them.

The shape and layout is my favourite thing about the house now. It’s always hard with a barn to make it work because you’ve got one big open space, but it works really well; it’s U-shaped, with a south and west wing with a large courtyard area so it creates a big impression when you come through the drive. I also love the curve in the roof; it had a natural ‘wave’ in it that falls down into the front porch; rather than straightening it, they incorporated it into the design.

Some people thought we were mad when we first bought the barn, as it was in such bad condition but now, every time someone visits, they comment on how fantastic it looks.

This was always intended to be a family home that we could live in for the long term and that’s just what it is. We have five children and although they don’t all live at home now, it’s perfect for when they all come and visit.

I always recommend Vernacular Homes and have had several visits from their prospective customers who we’re always happy to show around.”

“We were so impressed by Vernacular Homes’ professional approach, standards of workmanship and attention to detail.

“We would tell them what it was that we wanted and it was Trevor and Edwards’ roles to translate these wishes into something practical that they could actually design and build. Because the property is listed, there were many restrictions on what could be done and they had to work a way to meet the planning requirements while trying to give us what we had wanted.

“Their advice and ideas ranged from fundamental construction to interior design and effectively helped us to make our dreams come true.

“We were consistently updated on progress throughout the project and weekly meetings were held to enable any outstanding issues or questions to be resolved.

“Financial projections were updated monthly and any changes (subject to our agreement) formally communicated in updates to the project contract.

“As far as quality and lifestyle are concerned, all I can tell you is that we have made full use of everything we built into the property. Whenever we have visitors, they all remark upon the high specification and workmanship….even 15 years later!!

“We would have no hesitation in recommending Vernacular Homes to anyone seeking to develop a property of character to a high level of specification.”

“I could see from their previous work that Vernacular Homes was just who we were looking for. Trevor was so personable the first time I spoke to him, and I could tell straight away that he was very knowledgeable and trustworthy.

We’d already been granted planning permission through an architect but with a number of constraints. Trevor helped us extricate the designs from the architect and took the project forward, discharging all the conditions and adapting the design. We were facing challenges such as ground contaminations, asbestos removal and ecological surveys and Vernacular Homes knew all the right people to navigate all of these and make the whole process easier.

They were highly competent right from design, through planning law to the build. They also made lots of suggestions and changes to the plans that I wouldn’t have thought we’d be able to do, but they made it all so straightforward.

The whole team was lovely and our project manager was brilliant; whenever we asked him a question, he’d already thought of it – everything was ordered and organised in advance.

It was a really stress-free project and we’re delighted with the end result; I would recommend them to anyone.”

“Originally, our two outbuildings were a cow shed with a sand and mud floor that needed a full refurb, and the other was a farm building that already had a concrete floor but was just used for storage. There was no insulation, heating or electricity in either. The actual Oast hadn’t been refurbished since around the 1980s so it needed a lot of updating. Our living room was an extension with amazing views but tiny windows, so we wanted to extend it and add huge, sliding glass doors.

Vernacular Homes took care of everything from planning to design and construction. The whole team would walk through the space to see how best to use it. They were great at coming up with ideas for maximising space; for example, we had an odd-shaped living room but they came up with some great ways of dividing it up to make it work.

We also wanted to replace one of the bedrooms with a bathroom but didn’t quite know what to do with it; they suggested breaking through from the bedroom above to make it an amazing ensuite room.

We were impressed with their planning too; at the time due to the Covid 19 pandemic, there were shortages of materials and costs were rising, but because they had pre-bought everything and stored it on site, there were no delays and it cost us less. They were always very clear all along about the budget. They also ensured we could live on site throughout; they completed the outbuildings first and we moved into one while the build continued.

Now the build is finished, we have a cottage for family and friends to stay in when visiting, and the other outbuilding is one big room which my wife uses as a yoga studio, and my son plays his drums in there too. The house itself is awesome; we love it.

If we’d simply hired a builder and managed the project ourselves, we’d have got a very different result; it certainly wouldn’t have been as user-friendly. We always felt that being a family business, Vernacular Homes took that extra bit of care: that it mattered to them to do a really good job for their clients and maintain the family name. They even stayed in touch post-build, just in case we had any issues, which we don’t but just a few months ago, we wanted something changed on the sink and they did it free of charge. We’ve recommended them to friends who are now half-way through their build with Vernacular and they’re very happy.”

“We wanted a ‘vernacular’ Kentish design as the house is in a prominent position, and the council is particular about granting planning permission. We needed it to be suitable for a family of four to grow into and to maximise the views (and mitigate the exposure to the weather!).

We chose Vernacular Homes as we wanted a one-stop shop for design, planning and build. They have a great track record and gave us some strong ideas for the initial concept. We have worked with them from the inception of the project all the way to the current build which is ongoing.

They’ve come up with some great ideas that we wouldn’t have thought of ourselves; the bridge link between the two parts of the house across the full height is amazing!

Throughout the project, we have found them to be super professional, very thoughtful and responsive. Their site management has been very impressive and the build continues to amaze me.

So far, the house is looking amazing. The tiles and bricks blend into the other period houses on the road and it’s a great looking building. We are very excited to see the house really start to come together. The kitchen fitting starts this week and most of the sanitaryware is on site and ready to be fitted.”

“I would definitely recommend them; in fact, I already have!”