Welcome to RJA Carpentry & Building Ltd. We are a trusted builder and cover every aspect of major building works in the Essex and London areas.
Our combination of a complete start to finish service and workmanship of outstanding quality sets us apart from the competition.
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12 customer reviews
Jason E
We had a big remodel of our home done which involved extensions, new detached building / annex, landscaping and various changes to the drainage / sewers.
The team involved were good, they helped with interpretation of plans to create and finish the work to a very high level.
We would work with them again on future projects
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Aaron
We are so pleased with the job that Richard Avis and his team have done! He is polite, reliable, courteous and conscientious! He has worked efficiently and effectively in building our rear extension kitchen. Great service and a lovely person too. Would not hesitate to recommend him. Thanks again Richard! More...
Roy Boxer
We were very impressed with the work carried out by RJA Carpentry & Building from day one we were given a copy of the project and planned timescales of each phase of the work.
They were professional,punctual and tidy the site was cleared of rubbish daily they would always discuss with us the work carried on daily basis to ensure we were happy with it and any anomaly’s were put right immediately.
We have no problem recommending their work
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Yadhu
Had RJA Carpentry in for a refurbishment , including kitchen and bathroom. I am very happy with the end results. The team was very professional, transparent with costs and delivered exactly on time, which was very critical for me. I would highly recommend them!
Lakshmi
We had RJA Builders in for an extensive renovation project on a house we had just bought. Working on a tight schedule, Richard and his team delivered exactly what we wanted, including a few changes on the way, exactly on schedule.
Throughout , they were extremely professional ,thorough and very very dependable.
I can't recommend the team enough and would definitely use their services again when the requirement arises.
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Sri
Very professional and polite. We had great services from our initial meeting. We did a garage conversion and internal house alternations. Stuck to the timeline even in the COVID pandemic times. Provided regular updates which helps to know the progress. Looking forward to working with them again on our next project. More...
Andy
I felt I had to put a review as the experience of using RJA Carpentry-Building was nothing but a positive one, something I rarely manage to find when having tradesmen working for me. Firstly a date was scheduled to do the work and this was adhered to. The guys from RJA turned up promptly and run through their plans before getting stuck in. The job progressed well, everything appeared to be planned for and their professionalism showed. Nothing over run time wise, the budget was adhered to and the result of their work, right down to the tiniest details has confirmed I will use their services for future projects and more than happy to recommend them to others. A business deservedly thriving on their positive attitude to meet customers demands! Thank you again RJA for the great work you undertook for us! More...
Darren
RJA Carpentry built me a cupboard under my stairs, stripped back my wooden floor and laid a new floor in my bathroom. I was very happy with the work they carried out, they were very efficient and left my property clean and tidy after they completed the jobs.
Sharongirard
Very happy with work I had done summer 2020, they were on time, tidy and professional. The guys were polite and went through we us every step of the way and most of all finished when they said they would.
Felix Rosales
It was quick, profesional, arrived the exact time they said, the kitchen was perfect mounted. Everything good.
Leah
From the first meeting with RJA we knew they were the company to use. Very friendly, professional, nothing was a problem when we changed few things throughout the build. Excellent workmanship, clean, tidy and polite. Would use them again without hesitation. More...
JM
Job started well on the date specified, even with the constraints of covid all materials were ordered and arrived when they should. Site was left tidy at the end of each working day. Very happy with the finished project. Would recommend More...
How can someone tell if their Garage is suitable for conversion?
Most integral garages are suitable for conversion and typically fall under permitted development, meaning planning permission is not required. If you live in a conservation area or in a listed building you will almost certainly need planning permission.
If you are converting a separate, stand alone garage as opposed to an integral one, then you may have to apply for change of use.
Run us through the different stages of the Garage conversion process - what's involved?
The first stage of a garage conversion is designing your space, followed up by a quotation which will then lead on to involving building control to control the project.
The first step will be to remove the existing garage door and dig and pour a new footing which will support the new front wall.
Building control will inspect before the footing is poured.
The next step will be bricking up to full height forming a cavity wall with a breeze block internal wall. (most form window opening too)
The next step will be to lay damp proof membrane to the floor, lay 75mm insulation and 75mm screed to the floor to a finish floor height normally matching the existing. - building control will inspect before the screed is laid.
Next stage, install all 1st fix electrics and plumbing.
Next stage will be to address the walls, whether this be dot and dabbing plasterboard straight on to the walls or forming stud work walls around the perimeter, insulating and then plasterboarding. Same applies to the ceiling. Building control will inspect the insulation.
Next stage is plastering, then painting followed by 2nd fix electrics and plumbing.
Part P certification for the electrics will then be supplied, followed by a final visit from building control who will then supply a completion certificate.
How can someone tell if their loft is suitable for conversion?
Ideally the pitch should be at a higher angle, so that the central head height is the highest possible. Any angle above 30 degrees would work best in order for proposed loft conversion to pass building regulation. It must measure 2.2m from the floor to the highest point.
Traditional roofs are normally found in houses that were built before 1965 and are different from modern roofs as their rafters form a M shape that meets in the middle of you loft, and typically have a measurement of 2.2m at their highest point.
Modern truss roof styles are constructed with the rafters forming a W shape and are typically 2.4m at their highest point. These style roofs are usually found in homes that were built post 1965.
Truss roofs can be more difficult to convert than traditional roofs this is because of their W shape, the frame generally takes up most of the room in the loft meaning the entire frame must be replaced. However the conversion is by no means impossible just will have a affect on the pricing.
Run us through the different stages in the loft conversion process - what’s involved?
The different stages of a loft conversion are as stated:
Step 1 - inspection of roof space
Step 2 - Plans are made - either drawn by a architect or agreed between builder and client. Structural engineer calculations are also to be organised for the roof and floor loads along with a party wall agreement.
Step 3 - Building control appointment to control the project (planning permission is not needed as the works can be carried out under permitted development)
Step 4 - New floor joist insulation including structural beams i.e. flitch beams, RSJ's etc (building control visit)
Step 5 - Dormer formed
Step 6 - Dormer finished externally, roof completed - scaffold down (building control visit)
Step 7 - Insulation of windows
Step 8 - All 1st fix electrics and plumbing
Step 9 - 1st fix flooring installed
Step 10 - Install of new stair case
Step 11 - Insulation, plaster-boarding and plastering and paint and decorating (Building control visit)
Step 12 - 2nd fix electrics and plumbing
Step 13 - Finish floor insulation
Step 14 - Completion visit from building control and part P certification provided for the electrics followed by a completion certificate from building control
Extensions (single and double storey)
For both single and double storey extensions we offer a complete start to finish service, including (if not already in place):
- Architect drawings
- Structural engineer calculations
- Building control services
- Party wall agreements
- Public sewer applications
Once the above is in place we will then follow up with a prompt quotation for the assigned project and upon your acceptance will then draft up a works and payment schedule which will cross reference with each other.
The average works schedule of a single storey extension will be around 6-8 weeks with a double storey extension taking around 8-10 weeks. You will be provided with a update at the end of every week to confirm the project is running to schedule
We understand it is hard to imagine the completed project and pride ourselves on working with yourself to achieve your goals, making amendments to the project as it proceeds.
Loft conversions
Loft conversions are a great way to add extra square footage to your property and in most cases adding an addition bathroom.
We offer a complete start to finish services, providing (if not all ready in place):
- Architect drawings
- Structural engineers calculations
- Party wall agreements
- Building control services
On average a loft conversion works schedule will be around 6 -8 weeks.
Garage conversions
Converting you garage is a great way to free up more space on your ground floor, with the option of the being able to alter the existing ground floor layout to possibly make the ground floor open planned, move the existing kitchen the new garage conversions and many more possible options.
We offer a complete start to finish service, including (if not already in place)
- Architect drawings
- Structural engineer calculations
- Party wall agreements
- Building control services
The average garage conversion works schedule will be around 4-5 weeks dependant on if there are any other internal alterations to be made, which in most cases there are.
Full house refrubishments
Full refurbishments are one of our favourite projects as the options for the new ground and first floor layouts are endless. We take pride in liaising with the customer about every last detail before undertaking the project to minimise the possibility of any unforeseen extra works, although in the case of most house refurbishments last minute details may alter to which we will oblige to achieve exactly what you are looking for.
Once again we offer a complete start to finish service and can provided building controls services, structural engineer services and party wall agreements in the case of any major works being undertook i.e. steel install to achieve open plan living and chimney breast removals.
On average a 3 bedroom full house refurbishment works schedule will be 7-9 weeks dependant in the depth/scale of works involves with the project.
Outbuildings/garden rooms
Outbuildings/garden rooms are a great way to add more useable space to your property whether it be for office use, kids room, extra storage, relaxing area and many more options.
We will discuss with yourself in detail as to what it is you are looking to achieve and then draft up a floor and elevation plan as a basis for us to work off to which we can then alter to suit your needs offing a wide range of finishing materials for the project. Once this is in place we will then provide you with a quotation and then upon your approval supply you with a works and payment schedule.
A works schedule for a 6m x 3m garden room with French doors, windows, flooring, plastered walls, painting, electrics plumbing etc will last around 6-7 weeks.
Internal alterations
Internal alterations can cover a wide aspect of works including knock throughs, chimney stack removal, new door openings, internal stud work and many more. All to which are carried out to a high standard of work. We will liaise with yourself at the early stages as to what is the right option of alteration to your property if there is any uncertainty.
All aspects of carpentry
We cover all aspects of carpentry including skirting, architraves, door frames and liners, bespoke carpentry, built in wardrobes and many more. All carried out to a high standard of work.
Kitchens
Our kitchen service covers most circumstances weather it be worktop swaps, minor kitchen alterations, door facia replacements, kitchen additions or complete kitchen refits which we will then supply the services of plastering, electrics etc to achieve the crisp, clean modern kitchen are you have always dreamed of.
We have a kitchen company that we work very closely with and we are in a position to offer a free of charge service for you to sit down with one our designers to create a 3D image of you new kitchen.
Once you are happy with the 3D image/drawing we will then promptly get back to you with a quotation.
Upon your acceptance we will then supply you with a works and payment schedule.
For a full kitchen refit including re plastering, new flooring etc the schedule of works will be around 2 weeks
Bathrooms
We cover all aspects of bathroom works from toilet/bath/basin swaps all the way to complete bathroom refits/wet rooms. If you are undeceive about your new layout or not sure what your options are, that is where we come in and inform you on what is achievable and what is not.
All aspects of our complete bathroom refits are covered from plumbing, electrics, plastering, paint and decorating, tiling and silicone works, all carried about by experienced tradesman with great attention to detail.
UPVC windows and doors
Our company covers all aspects of UPVC window and door installations from replacement windows or different styles and designs, composite doors, French doors, bi fold doors and patio doors. Brochure supplied for all out doors and windows.
Landscaping
We cover all aspects of landscaping including artificial grass, re turfing, flower beds, new patios, decking areas. retaining walls and many more.
We also undertake full garden landscaping projects to which we discuss you initial ideas and draft up a plan to which we can then alter to suit you exact needs. All works are carried out by skilled tradesman with great quality of work.
Fencing
All aspects of fencing are undertaken, including bespoke made to order fencing.
Driveways
We undertake many different types of driveways using different materials, please enquire further
