Experienced Master Thatchers in Salisbury Wiltshire
Based in Salisbury, Wiltshire, we provide thatching services across Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire and Dorset, and have a reputation for excellence and high quality workmanship. We practice our traditional craft with pride and passion. We’re local authority approved and have regularly feature among the top slots in the annual “Best Thatched House Competition”.
Thatching services Wiltshire, Hampshire & Dorset
We undertake all sorts of projects, from building new thatched roofs, re-thatching, thatch restoration, re-ridging and thatching repairs. We work with traditional materials – long straw, combed wheat straw, water reed or Norfolk Reed – from sustainable sources, which guarantees a durable, weatherproof roof for decades to come.
General Building Services Wiltshire, Hampshire & Dorset.
While experts at keeping a sound thatched roof over our client’s heads, we’re also pleased to be able to offer a general building service, which includes professional chimney repairs, chimney lining, lead work, pointing and building restoration work. Our combined skills make it quick and convenient to have all your building restoration requirements handled by a single dedicated team.
We are specialists in traditional & historical thatched roof restorations
We provide thatching services and thatched roof repairs across the South West of England including thatching in Dorset, thatching in Hampshire, thatching in the New Forest, thatching in Somerset & thatching in Wiltshire.
Call Steve today on 01980 611 880 or 07790 020 917
Our Pledge to our Customers
As a family firm of thatchers who’ve been working in south west England for decades we have a reputation to uphold. We’re not only intent on keeping up standards when it comes to the craft of thatching, but we also pride ourselves in maintaining a high principles when it comes to dealing with our clients.
We have therefore put together this pledge which, judging by the positive feedback we get, we are upholding with our professional, yet friendly and courteous approach to doing business:
We are Trustworthy & Transparent in our Pricing
We won’t ever “rip you off”. We come and survey your roof and advise on the work it might need with no charge and no obligation. If you choose to have work done on your thatched roof, we’ll give you a fully costed, detailed estimate and you can ask as many questions as you like.
We are always Courteous and Respectful
Master Thatcher Steven Hewlett has lived in the village of East Gomeldon in Wiltshire all his life, where he and his family are known and respected in the local community and beyond as hard workers, polite, amiable, considerate and well-groomed.
We are fully Qualified and Insured
Steven Hewlett is a member of the National Society of Master Thatchers, City & Guilds of London Insitute and Rural Development Commission, and holds RSQS supplier Certification. We have completed a number of thatching-related specialist training courses. Our limited company holds full public liability and professional indemnity insurance. You can therefore be confident that you are dealing with a professional, well-established company.
Public liability and professional indemnity (be sure you are covered in the event of a thatch fire which starts when you are working on a property, or if water ingress causes damage to property) employer’s liability. contractor’s liability/contractor’s all risks.
We Always Work to a High Standard
We never receive complaints about poor workmanship, because we are perfectionists intent on upholding the high standards and best practice of our trade.
We Always Respond to and Communicate with our Clients
We’re fortunate to consistently receive positive reviews from our customers, and always respond appreciatively. During a thatching job we are always ready and willing to discuss any problems encountered, answer questions about progress, and address any concerns.
We use Traditional Methods and Quality Materials
We have considerable experience using all thatching materials and traditional methods, including long straw, combed wheat straw, water reed and Norfolk reed, which we source from the best suppliers.
We Won’t Give You the “Hard Sell”
Our policy is never to force a client into making a decision about thatch roof installation, repairs or maintenance. We give you our honest opinion and leave you to make up your mind. You won’t be bombarded by sales messages from our firm. We’re just there when your roof needs us.
We value your custom, just as we value the wonderful thatched roofs we work on across Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, Berkshire, Wiltshire and the rest of the southern counties of England.
Richard Jefferies Museum
The challenge ….
An original 17th Century thatched cottage in Coate, Swindon enjoys a busy life as part of a museum set up to commemorate Victorian nature writer, Richard Jefferies, who was born there in 1848.
The quintessential chocolate-box country cottage has had its thatched roof repaired and renewed numerous times over the centuries, but recently the Richard Jefferies Museum Trust realised the thatch on the roof of the listed building was once again in a sorry state, and in dire need of attention.
The specialised job was put out to tender by Swindon Borough Council, who – on the recommendation of the National Society of Master Thatchers – invited Steven Hewlett Thatchers Limited to apply. Steve and his long-established firm of traditional Wiltshire master thatchers was the obvious successful candidate, and before long he was hard at work restoring the cottage roof.
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The solution ….
This time-lapse video shows the re-thatching process, from removing the tired, degraded and soiled thatch and repairing the underlying timbers, to re-thatching “like for like” with straw and hazel spar work. In real time the work took around two months.
The roof ridge was finished in traditional Wiltshire flush style, because, as Steve explains, “we like to keep things in character, particularly on a listed building”. A special touch, in honour of Richard Jefferies himself, was the addition of a thatched finial figure of a pheasant on the roof, dubbed “Dickie”.
The beautifully restored roof of the Jefferies cottage also features another traditional thatch feature – the catslide. This is a section of roof extended down to cover a side wing, sweeping down from the ridge almost to the ground.
No doubt Richard Jefferies, a great conservationist, would be delighted with the result!
Thatched roof maintenance
The lifespan of a professionally thatched can be up 40 years plus. Environmentally friendly and versatile, thatch is valued too for its aesthetic charm. To optimise the longevity and look of your thatched roof we offer a maintenance service which includes cleaning and controlling the spread of algae and moss.
Quality thatched roof repairs
Whenever your thatched roof requires tending, whether it be a major repair, the installation of wire-netting to deter vermin, or even updating its fire protection, give us a call. We’ll conduct a full survey of the condition of your thatched roof and give you a full estimate for the work required.
