FAQs
Questions we're asked most often. If yours isn't here, get in touch and we'll answer it.
Where do you work?
We're builders based in West Sussex, with a second base near Polegate.
We take on work across Surrey and West Sussex. We also cover East Sussex and Brighton, and as a rule anything within about an hour of either base.
Do you only work on listed buildings?
No. Listed buildings are our specialism, but we also take on the renovation of period homes, and new oak-framed buildings and extensions.
Listed building restoration is the work we're pushing to take on more of, and you can see the rest of what we do on our Home page.
Do you handle planning and listed building consent?
Yes. We advise on heritage regulations and planning permissions, put in listed building consent applications, and deal with conservation officers and heritage consultants.
We also support heritage statements, and put together the scope, methodology and material specifications before any work starts.
Do you use lime render?
Yes. We use breathable lime render wherever damp could otherwise be trapped behind cement, so the building can breathe naturally, and we take lime render work across Sussex, Brighton included.
We also work with lime mortar, lime plaster, lime pointing and lime wash.
Who will be working on my building?
Lewis, Alex and Josh, and their own team. Lewis and Alex trained as traditional carpenters, Josh joined them in 2018, and the three of them set up The Oak Blokes in 2020.
We run a complete in-house service, including a conservation carpentry team.
Have you won any awards?
Our work on listed buildings won Sussex Heritage Trust Awards in 2024 and 2025, and was Highly Commended in 2026.
Do you take emergency call-outs?
No, we don't take emergency call-outs.
Do you work for other builders and architects?
Yes. Most of our work is for people who own the building, and the rest is specialist work for other construction companies. Architects also refer projects to us.
How do we start?
Send the listing grade and a few photos, and we'll come back with a methodology.
