The Challenges We Face Sometimes…

This massive undertaking was in the Devonshire seafront area of Eastbourne, East Sussex. It was a huge challenge to complete for so many reasons out of our control, but the whole team at Fullers plastering were completely up for the opportunity and coped very well! Here is our story:

To summarise the intial project, it was a Government funded safety project which required the out of date external insulation of this beautiful old structure to be removed from the existing building and replaced with a new cavity wall system with duel density insulation, and a new aluminium cornice detail. Read the full breakdown of the project.

So the team from Fullers Plastering  sat down with the MC and K-Systems and helped propose a detailed specification that all parties agreed on. Then there was the simple matter of pricing…. Or so we thought!

A contact was agreed and works commenced late January 2022. Once the building was stripped back to substrate however, it was evident that there would need to be substantial packing out to get the building flat again. Again…. back to the drawing board. We continued working through this period, packing the new rail system with metal shims which being metal, wouldn’t melt or combust if any fire was to try to penetrate the building. This in turn, had an effect on a year long program which added to this challenge.

Next, we were able to fit a new cornice and start to fit the insulation. Again, problems were caused as the insulation needs to be kept bone dry. Try achieving this on a site right next to the sea in apparently “sunny Eastbourne”!

Anyway, not all doom and gloom as it may sound so far. Once the insulation was on the wall, we were able to apply the first coats of render and well as replicate the time intense quoin and band details. Groove render (ashlar) was required on the first block on the upper floors as well as the ground floor on both blocks.

At this point, a representative from K-Systems commented that there would never be another project like this again – It was one of a kind in the UK!

The detailing on this project was expansive and to be honest, caught us out. Every aspect added to the timescale of the project. The next challenges to be faced were that the summer of 2022 was one of the hottest on record which at times stopped work. Then autumn 2022 and spring 2023 were some of the wettest!

So, after the approx. 4 month time extension given for the packing out, a month of spec changes preventing us to move forward, weather difficulties (even snow in Eastbourne!), we finished the project in 18 months and we are very proud of the outcome. Standing back and admiring what we have achieved, all involved can be proud of their efforts.

Blood, sweat, tears, and plenty of sandwiches from the cafes and restaurants in the local area were consumed as well!!!

On to the next one with lessons learned and the experience and confidence to take on any project of this kind.