References for our Architectural & Decorative stone work.

Richard Ives has worked for me over a period of five years.

I can trust him with all aspects of stone work, cavity work, organising of quoins, lintels and stone and dealing with suppliers.

He works well as part of a team as well as on his own.

I have found his stone masonry exceptional.

I was recommended by a friend to contact Richard by an elderly Cornish Stonemason, with regard to a property I was thinking of purchasing and renovating. The reason for the recommendation was and I quote “That man knows what a Cornish stone wall should look like, not crazy paving on its end”.

Estimating and renovations

Richard was very helpful in explaining the building surveyors report to me in words that I could understand and similarly the damp proofing report.

He spent considerable time to ensure that the work he was to carry out was what we wanted and that it was feasible that this could be done.

He organised all of the specialised work-men so that the whole works ran smoothly. This included the delivery of all materials to site and hiring of specialised tools. The whole of the property was renovated and I detail this below.

The building of a large retaining wall to ensure we had a drive-way and a retaining wall again to enable us to get to all parts of the house on an even and landscaped garden.

He completely removed all of the old plaster of the downstairs rooms and was very meticulous that the recommended materials and measurements of additives were used. He also completely re-laid the ground floors using damp proofing and Cornish slate to enhance the original nature of the house.

The exterior was completely renovated by re-pointing the walls.

Conclusion

Richard is a very conscientious work-man and very amenable to any suggestions the customer may have. His work-site is always cleared up at night and you find yourself inconvenienced very little by his work. He is not afraid to accept any recommendations given to him by specialists and readily discusses them with the customer in order to ensure that everyone is aware of their input in order to have a satisfactory outcome.

I enclose photographs of the work he has done for me.

I have recommended him to several people and know for a fact that they are completely satisfied with the work he has done for them.

Since moving into our new built house in December 2004, we have employed Richard’s services on all our hard landscaping projects, including the construction of stone retaining walls up to 2.5 metres in height, with an arched doorway through, and an impressive driveway entrance, also a traditional greenhouse, patios and seating areas, as well as the construction of a sizeable pond, with a bridge over a tributary leat running through it.

These projects have always been completed to our delight and satisfaction. Richard’s work is always of the highest quality, his grasp of the client’s need is first rate, he is always concerned that the client gets good value, that the work is carried out in a tidy and efficient manner and the site left clean and in good order upon completion of work.

In addition to the work that Richard has done for us on our own home, we also run an architectural design practice, and have no hesitation in recommending Richard for appropriate projects.