rebuilding a victorian bay window

[tanyacat]

Has anyone had their victoria bay window rebuilt? If so, I'd be after some recommendations for a builder who could undertake this job.

We have a victorian house in a non-conservation area and we need to rebuild the bay window. At some point in the 70s the original one was ripped out and replaced with pretty grim bay, with poor double glazing, no cill, no stonework and a dodgy roof. We'd like to restore the bay window to match the rest of the houses on the street. I don't know if we'd need a stonemason or if a builder could do a sympathetic job. Any improvement on the current window would be a blessing.

If anyone can help with advice on where to start, or even contact of a builder that could undertake this work, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks,

Tanya

[Stig75]

I would also love to hear of any recommendations for this work as like Tanya we are in the same situation and would like to restore our bay to its former glory!

[MissWiggy]

I have just had my bay window rebuilt after it was ripped out by the previous owners and replaced with a upvc mono pitch.

We were able to keep the base of the bay window but had to have all the stonework (pillars, capitols and headstone) remoulded from scratch which was not cheap (into 4 figures).

The stone company then recommended a stone mason to reconstruct our window with all the stonework - perhaps sensibly, my builder didn't want to go near it because of the specialist work and weight of the stone involved.

I am thrilled with the result (leaving it as it wasn't really an option as the window looked so awful) but I would say that all in all it probably cost about ?6-7k.

[Stig75]

Thanks for that MissWiggy. I take it that approximation does not include the new windows themselves!?

[MissWiggy]

No Im afraid it didn't. The cost of the bay window (sash etc) and the roofing on top were on top of that figure.

Whereabouts are you in ED (may affect size / style of bay window)? If you'd like to come round and have a look at mine to get an idea then do let me know - if you like what you see then I can wholeheartedly recommend the stonemason I used who project managed the window from start to finish. He really was super and was very helpful at the end of a pretty painful process. Along the way we came across several people / companies who promised us they could do the job, but who disappeared when push came to shove, and we found ourselves back at square one on several occasions.

Feel free to PM me if you like.

[Stig75]

That's great, v useful info and thanks for the offer. We have the classic Victorian ED terraced house. I may well be in touch via PM. Thanks again!

[mj79]

Hello, we are buying a property that also had the Bay Window Removed, you would recommend the company you used? Thanks!!

[Alecur]

Hello

Just picking up on the above messages, and wondering if anybody does have recommendations of who to use for recreating all the elements of a Victorian bay please? I think mine was removed c. 1960, and I've just got planning permission to reinstate it. Thanks, Alex

[mj79]

Hi Alex I'm still looking for someone. Let's keep in touch! We are getting a quote from a company that has just removed the render of a house next to ours, they done a good job and also renovated some one the victorian features.

How was the planning process? Did you need to get an architect for drawings? Michelli

[EPB]

I'd be very grateful if you'd let me know more about this company. The front of our house is a real mess, and it's so hard to be sure ones not dealing with a cowboy!

[KateM1]

Hi. I'd be glad to get the contact details of the person/company who did your bay window restoration? Thank you! (MissWiggy and any other people on here who've found someone who can do that sort of job). Thanks.

[Alecur]

Hi Michelli, the planning process was fine (I don't think they want to prevent people making their bays look like the originals in a conservation area!), but I did get an architect to do drawings. I used Gruff Ltd who are local.

[PRGAL]

Thanks so much for this thread - I am debating buying a very ugly house which still has amazing features inside, but which has been pebble-dashed (ick) and had the bay removed on the outside. How did you get on with rebuilding your bay and would love to know who you used - trying to find someone to talk to about it is a nightmare! Any ballpark figures too? Thanks so much!

[KateM1]

I've now had a quote for rebuilding a bay. I've got a small terrace (2 up 2 down) and to get the paint removed from the bricks, the bay restored to the original stone bay with a small tiled roof on it (it has at some time been replaced with a square sticking out bay, with large PVC windows that look a bit like a conservatory) and wooden sash windows - two small ones on first floor and the bay one, has been quoted at about ?12,000. It doesn't seem to be a complicated job but I've not had it done yet!

[exhausted]

Hi. We have just moved into a house in East Dulwich which has had the front bay stonework ripped out, a square roof put on and the ground floor rendered. It doesn?t look pretty! We are looking to rectify this and would be very grateful of any recommendations for companies people have used in similar situations. Thanks.

[Drummo66]

Hi - ima Greenwich person - close to ED - I've Googled over and over to find a Stone Mason or company to bring the front of our house back to life ...and came across your thread which gave us hope!

ALL Victorian features smashed off in the 1979s inc sills, pebble dash applied, UPvC Windows installed. Pillars need moulding and I need stonework replaced - I'd be SO grateful for any recommendations or advice - thank you!

[Stu]

Guys,

We're in the same position and looking to get this done - any tips would be gladly received.

Thanks,

Stuart