Notes from the trade.
Plain-English writing on building, renovating, and getting it right. Practical advice for the clients we work with.
What hides behind the walls of a Victorian terrace
When you open up a house that was last properly touched 130 years ago, you're not dealing with surprises. You're dealing with the same building, built the same way. Here's what we find.
How to read a builder's quote
A quote is a document. The important parts are often what's missing. How to read one properly, how to compare them fairly, and what the gaps tell you before you sign anything.
A plain-English guide to choosing a builder in East London
How we'd recommend going about it — what to ask, what to check, what to read in the contract before you sign.
What good snagging actually looks like
Snagging is the part of the job that decides how the rest of it ages. Here's how a proper snagging process should work.
Restoring a Victorian front elevation
What's actually involved in bringing a painted-white Victorian terrace back to its original brick. The methods, the materials, and what to expect.
Why we charge what we charge
Honest writing on JAG's pricing. What goes into a quote, where we sit in the market, and why our smallest project is £25,000.
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