From 15th-century cottages to new homes
Uckfield sits on the southern edge of the Weald, with Ashdown Forest just to the north. Its oldest streets are around Church Street, where several buildings date from before 1700, and Bridge Cottage, from the 15th century, is thought to be the oldest house in the town. Uckfield has grown a great deal since: around 1,500 people lived here in 1841, and just over 15,000 by 2021. Large new developments, including about 1,000 homes approved at Ridgewood Farm, are still adding to it.
That range of ages shapes the work homes here need.
Older homes
Buildings from before the 1800s were put up long before gypsum plaster and cement render. Their walls were usually finished in lime, which lets moisture move through the wall. Repairing them in modern materials can trap damp and cause the repair to fail. We work with lime plaster and lime render, so older walls can be repaired to suit how they were built. For cracks and loose patches, see our plaster repair service.
Victorian to post-war homes
Homes from this long middle period often need tired, patched walls re-skimmed, or textured ceilings smoothed. Where a ceiling is cracked as well, overboarding can be the better fix.
New homes at Ridgewood and elsewhere
Small cracks are common in newly built homes as materials dry out. Our guide to cracks in new-build homes explains what's normal, what the builder should fix, and when we can help.
Planning in Uckfield and Buxted
Uckfield and Buxted are in Wealden District, so planning is handled by Wealden District Council, not Mid Sussex. Wealden has more than 30 conservation areas, and its conservation areas page explains how to check whether your home is in one using the council's online map.
That matters for rendering. In a conservation area, rendering the outside of a house needs planning permission. Elsewhere, re-rendering like for like is usually fine, but rendering brick or changing the colour or type of render usually needs permission. Our guide to planning permission for render explains more.
Rendering in Uckfield
Whether it's repairing existing render or re-rendering a whole house, the right render depends on the wall. Lime suits older solid walls. On newer homes, sand and cement, monocouche and silicone renders are common choices. See our main house rendering page for the options.
Frequently asked questions
Do you cover Buxted?
Yes. We cover Buxted as well as all of Uckfield.
Which council do I ask about planning in Uckfield?
Wealden District Council. Its online map shows whether your home is in a conservation area.
Can you repair old lime plaster?
Yes. We work with lime plaster and lime render, which suit Uckfield's older buildings.
My new-build has cracks. Should I call you or the builder?
The builder first, if your home is within its first two years. Small shrinkage cracks are normal as a new home dries out. Once they've settled, we can repair or re-skim the walls.
Are your quotes free?
Yes. Quotes are free anywhere in Uckfield and Buxted.
Get a quote in Uckfield or Buxted
Send us a few photos and tell us roughly where in Uckfield or Buxted you are. If you know your home is old or in a conservation area, mention it. We'll reply with a free quote.
Back to Areas We Cover