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We are looking for an excellent trustworthy builder who can help our unique situation. We need to replaster our cellar and close it off with a hatch at the top of the stairs and basically seal every millimetre of adjoining wall to the neighbouring property to stop the really potent cigarette smoke coming through from next door and up through the floorboards into our house. We have someone ready to re-floor the whole of the downstairs once this is done. The builders we used to renovate the house previously who we really trust can't fit us in until next year now but we need this doing now as we are a young family. Has anyone else had this done?! Any recommendations greatly welcome Thank you

Just wanted to say a HUGE thank you again to the man on this stall who warned me against the traffic wardens and then saved me from getting a ticket from one today. You're the best!

We're looking for someone to repair sills and exterior masonry and then repaint masonry, sash windows and front door before the winter sets in. Please PM if you are available to quote for the work - we're looking to get things started from the end of the week onwards when the weathermen suggest there might be some fine weather on its way... Many thanks, Ed

Can anyone recommend a reliable and good company who can render and paint the exterior of a house? We are also looking for quotes for someone to rebuild our front garden wall? Thank you

I would never recommend Dog about town, awful man, awful service, terrified and scarred dog. Do NOT go there. Michelle at BENTLEYS now only does Mondays in brockley.... Karen isn't too bad!

I'm looking for a slim stairgate which is a pressure fit not a screw in to fit gap of 69cm. Most stairgates fit gaps of 75cm plus. Can anyone help me? Thank you

Fiona Duckworth did our alcove units (shelves on top and cupboards below) and we liked them so much that 6 months later we got her back to do built in wardrobes in our bedrooms. They look fantastic. Definitely worth speaking to her! http://www.cupboardsbydesign.co.uk/

Hi, I'd like to make a recommendation for Prestige Build, see my recent post here: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,1183386 They completed a lovely loft extension and side return for us earlier this year. Contact the owner, Jay, directly on 07985 727 372 and check out their website http://www.prestigebuild.net PM me if you need any other advice, I was new to it all before work began but now have at least a basic grasp of the procedures involved! Good luck! Ed

I wanted to post a recommendation for Prestige Build who we have recently used to extend our property. We are extremely happy with the results and now have a beautiful home from top to bottom. We also found them to be a fantastic set of people to work with. We moved into our terraced Victorian house two and a half years ago knowing that we would eventually want to do some extension work to it. We planned to extend the kitchen into the side return to create a large kitchen diner/family space as well as adding a fourth bedroom in the loft. It was important for us to find a company that would not only create the extra space but also provide us with something truly unique, a legacy that would continue long after the builders had left. After a fairly exhaustive search of suitable firms, we settled on Prestige having seen first-hand a complete renovation job that they were in the process of completing on Sylvester Road. We were invited to have a look round by a very friendly site manager and were immediately struck by the attention to detail across the job; from the pride he took in revealing the detailing of the pipework running to the new underfloor heating system to the cleaned and repointed exterior brickwork, everything had been tackled with an obvious level of care and integrity. After contacting Prestige we met the owner, Jay Gentle, who patiently explained the processes involved, delivered a detailed breakdown of costs and put us in touch with a local architect and an engineer that they regularly work with. We were able to completely tailor the brief to suit both budget and scope and Jay and his team, as well as the architect and structural engineer, worked seamlessly to put together a detailed plan for the build. The house was to be reroofed, the ceilings were to be lowered in the upstairs bedroom, a dormer loft extension was then to be added. We were also going to demolish the existing kitchen and a new, larger room built from the foundations up complete with floating ceiling and no unsightly support pillars. There was also a plethora of supplementary work. All in all it was an enormous job. However, once work commenced we had a team of expert builders and assorted specialists on site ten hours a day, six days a week, all under the instruction of our fantastic site manager, Daniel. Jay made himself available whenever we needed him to come to the house and talk through issues or proposals in person and he also updated us at a weekly site meeting as to the progress of the work. Being a Victorian house, there were, of course, a number of unforeseen circumstances. Damp in the kitchen and cracked brickwork in a shared party wall amongst other things. However these were dealt with in typical professional fashion without any impact on the schedule. Extra help was drafted in whenever necessary and the whole process, from start to finish, ran extremely smoothly. We had to pause work a few weeks before completion to have our baby and Jay was sensitive to our needs, ensuring that the house was clean and tidy when we returned from hospital. When work did start up again, we barely noticed the builders coming and going. All in all the experience was a good one. Undeniably it was a big project and the work took just over six months, including some time off over Christmas. But the end result is simply amazing. Jay and his team have created a unique space that is nothing short of wonderful. We have since had estate agents round to value the house and the one overriding comment that comes back is that the extension work is the best they have seen on a property in East Dulwich. This is testament in itself. If you are considering doing some work to your property, look no further than Prestige Build. I would use them again without even thinking about it.

The lady in the fabric shop just up past dominos is helpful, good choice of fabrics. She hasn't made any for us so can't vouch for her skills but worth a look

Wasn't really sure where to post this but does anyone have an old camping stove they might have used for a kitchen cooker whilst having work done to their house? We are going to be kitchenless for a month or so and don't really want to live on take away or cold food! Any old stoves or better ideas greatly appreciated! Thank you

Hi Jay, I'd like to recommend Prestige Build who are currently doing our loft. Great standard of work and a really understanding team of guys full of great ideas and practical workarounds. Not just loft specialists either. Definitely worth giving them a call. http://www.prestigebuild.net/

ah thank you, I think they may be full but will give NCT a call anyway as I'm sure the nunhead one was on there the other day and now it has gone! Too much going on with pregnancy, house renovation and a puppy! Thank you x

I am also expecting my first on the 24th March next year! I was just wondering for those that are doing NCT classes, which ones are everyone going to? I couldn't seem to find one in ED on their website and am now worrying I've missed the boat - don't want to be schlecking over to Streatham for classes! Any info much appreciated. Thank you Emily

Thank you so much for all these suggestions, most helpful! Emily

Good tips thank you!

Interesting! Thank You. Shall have a look

Can anyone recommend anywhere to get good maternity wear that's affordable and not disgusting and frumpy?! Topshop and H&M are pretty minimal selections and don't want to spend lots of money but my clothes are now getting too tight! Thank you