Case Studies

Classic Builders is a fast growing construction company, who have built their reputation for high quality delivery across a broad spectrum of project sectors and types. Originally formed in 2001, the company continues to expand with a highly experienced senior management team. The company consists of over 80 qualified personnel and offer an unrivalled flexibility to meet even the most challenging of construction programmes.

Based in Plymouth, Exeter & Cornwall, Classic Builders offer services across the peninsula, whether large or small projects, new build or renovation, maintenance or alteration, and always to the same high standards. Classic Builders are customer focused and with many repeat clients, they are committed to delivering safe and environmentally conscious buildings on time and within budget.

The South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA) has worked with Classic Builders and Clients, on many projects throughout the years, with Classic Builders having been appointed across a variety of workstreams, on the Low Carbon MMC DPS, Modern Methods of Construction for New Homes Framework (NH3) in which they are a main contractor, and the most recently launched, Refurbishment and Modernisation Framework (RM3). Classic Builders were also featured on SWPA’s previously expired framework, Housing Construction Framework (H1) as well.

SWPA provides legally compliant frameworks and DPS’ which can be used by local authorities, social landlords and other public sector organisations to procure works, products and services for consultancy, compliance, refurbishment and modernisation, energy efficiency and development projects. The South West Procurement Alliance brand, which is part of the LHC Group, was launched in October 2019. SWPA’s aims are to work closely with South West clients and Appointed Companies and to focus on regional priorities. SWPA are a locally based, growing team with offices in Exeter.

Utilising SWPA’s frameworks, Classic Builders are currently undertaking multiple projects across the South West, such as a low rise housing development at White’s Close in St. Agnes which comprises of eleven bungalows adjacent to an existing sheltered housing scheme. Additionally, Classic Builders are working on a project with Somerset Council, at Penlea House, where the works will comprise of the demolition of the existing Penlea House, complete with the external courtyard and outbuildings, and subsequently the design and construction of a new four storey block of apartments with a central courtyard. This new development will contain 33 apartments, with a mix of one and two bedrooms, along with external balconies and four communal staircases for access.

Some of the SWPA team were lucky enough to visit Urban Terrace recently, a direct award project to Classic Builders from Cornwall Council, through the previously expired, Housing Construction (H1) Framework. Urban Terrace, based in Callington,  Cornwall is an impressive mixed development of houses and flats, consisting of 15 dwellings in total with associated parking and landscape areas. Completion of this project is due at the end of March 2024, and will primarily comprise of seven, two bed houses and four, three bed houses, along with four, one bed flats.

The dwellings at Urban Terrace boast an incredible high-quality finish, with top of the range and well-thought-out features, designed for residents to make living there enjoyable, safe, and efficient. Some of the newly installed impressive features, include air source heat pumps, radon barriers, a uniquely implemented misting system for fire safety in the kitchen area and a downstairs W/C fitted with concealed drainage options and provisions installed, to allow for future residents to fit a level access shower if they choose to. 

Team SWPA were shown around the site, by Site Manager Tim Riesner, who is experienced in high quality builds and community values, enjoying a good relationship with the neighbours next to the site, and impressing the importance of communication, working together and local values. Tim has worked with the client and Clerk of Works (CoW) to snag the first finished property, Plot 12, which set an incredibly impressive benchmark for all other upcoming, newly completed properties on site. Tim also highlighted the social value impact Classic Builders have had on the local area, employing predominantly local labour from Callington and surrounding areas.

“I left school at the age of 16 and took a five year apprenticeship as a carpenter, spending one day a week at the local technical college. I am a fully indentured Carpenter.

I am now sixty eight years old and still not ready to retire, I enjoy working for Classic-Builders and enjoy working as part of a team with good colleagues and good sub-contractors.

The projects that I have worked over those years have been many and varied from building public toilets in a small village in Lincolnshire, to concrete shelters for nuclear cruise missiles at RAF Molesworth in Bedfordshire and hardened shelters for F111 nuclear strike bombers at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

I moved from being “on the tools” to management in the 1980’s as a carpentry foreman, progressed to Site manager, then to Project manager and Contracts Manager, I decided, that level of management was not for me as I missed the interactions at site level and in my heart I love to build in a hands on capacity.

I have worked for a number of mainstream house builders over the years, sadly I have watched the decline in standards and quality of new homes being built today. As a result of that I will no longer work in that sector of the industry.

Working for Classic builders and a client like Cornwall Housing, enables me to build a much better product, I understand that I am building someone’s home, one of my benchmarks is “would I have that in my own home?” and if not then why should I accept it here.

I firmly believe that delivering a good product that everyone is pleased with can only be of benefit to all parties.

I’m also acutely aware that people of my generation are leaving not only my industry but leaving the workplace at all levels and from all disciplines. While working for a previous employer I became involved with a government scheme called “Kickstarter” this was designed to bring young people back to work, hopefully in Construction. The scheme has now been superseded, but I enjoyed the time I spent mentoring and encouraging the next generation of builders.” – Tim Riesner, Site Manager, Classic Builders.

Ground floor W/C with built in capabilities and drainage for residents to add another shower.

Kaye Wills, SWPA’s Technical Support Manager and Tim Riesner, Classic Builders’ Site Manager.

Kitchen, with high quality and long-lasting finishes, equipped with misting system to ensure fire safety.

High standard finish in the garden, with imported quality top soil, with a minimum depth of 600mm.