Case Studies

WMS are pleased to announce that our growing presence in South Devon has led to the company committing to the development of a permanent base in the area. Our new office at Chudleigh is adjacent to the A38 and therefore will be central to our operatioWMS delivered a £398,000 programme of window and roof refurbishment works at The Homestead in Cheddar, Somerset, providing supported accommodation for residents aged over 55.

Working for Sanctuary Housing, the 16-week programme involved improvements across the apartment blocks, with WMS coordinating its site team alongside specialist window and roofing subcontractors. 

Window & Roof Refurbishment

The programme focused on the refurbishment of windows and roofs across the apartment blocks, bringing together WMS site management and bricklaying expertise with specialist window and roofing contractors.With residents remaining at the heart of the project, coordinating works within an occupied supported accommodation setting was an important consideration throughout delivery.

Learning Through Resident Engagement

One of the key challenges identified during the programme was communication with residents.

With no full-time scheme manager in place during much of the project, there was initially no single on-site point of contact, making it more difficult to communicate upcoming works and respond consistently to residents' questions and concerns. 

The experience highlighted an important opportunity for future projects of this nature. Regular weekly or fortnightly resident meetings would provide a dedicated forum for explaining upcoming works, answering questions and addressing concerns before each stage begins.

A full-time scheme manager was appointed towards the end of the programme, further supporting communication on site. 

Delivering and Learning

The 16-week project demonstrates the importance of combining effective construction delivery with strong resident communication, particularly when working within occupied supported accommodation.Alongside delivering the physical improvements, lessons taken from The Homestead will help inform WMS's approach to future resident-facing programmes and strengthen engagement from the outset.

WMS has completed a significant programme of decoration works as part of the transformation of Hotel Victoria in Newquay, Cornwall, into NICI Newquay.

Working for the Nicolas James Group, the seven-month programme saw the WMS team deliver approximately £200,000 of decoration works within a wider refurbishment project valued at approximately £20 million.

Supporting a Major Hotel Transformation

The project saw Hotel Victoria transformed into NICI Newquay, with WMS responsible for decoration works across the property.

With a major transformation taking place throughout the hotel, the work required careful coordination with other trades and the wider construction programme to ensure areas could progress towards completion as planned.

Delivering to a Demanding Programme

One of the principal challenges for the WMS team was working alongside numerous other trades while meeting tight project deadlines.

Maintaining progress required a flexible approach, with the decorating team working additional hours, including evenings and weekends, where necessary to support the wider programme and help keep the refurbishment moving.

Seven Months of Specialist Decoration

Over seven months, WMS decorators worked across the project as part of the wider team delivering the transformation into NICI Newquay.

With approximately £200,000 of decorating works forming part of a £20 million refurbishment, the project demonstrates WMS's ability to contribute effectively to large-scale refurbishment programmes while adapting to demanding schedules and working collaboratively alongside multiple trades.

The completed project marks an impressive transformation for the Newquay property and another significant Cornwall project that the WMS team is proud to have played a part in delivering.

Bridgwater Library - Specialist Heritage Refurbishment

WMS has completed an extensive 10-month refurbishment of Bridgwater Library for Somerset County Council, bringing together specialist heritage skills, traditional materials and modern roofing solutions to protect and improve this important public building. 

A Complex Programme of Works

The project began with the installation of a complete scaffold enclosure to weatherproof the building ahead of the removal of the existing roof coverings.

The roofing works included new insulation, felt and battens before the existing tiles were reinstated, alongside extensive new leadwork. A large Alumasc flat roofing system was installed together with two new skylights and replacement roof glazing.

Specialist works were also undertaken to the high-level rotunda, including a new lead gutter and flashings, new glazing and copper flashing repairs and replacement. 

Further improvements included external decoration and rainwater goods replacement, timber repairs and scarfing, lime render and masonry repairs across the external areas, as well as internal lime plaster repairs and full decoration. 

Specialist Skills & Traditional Materials

The nature of the building required a wide range of specialist trades and materials.

Detailed lead and copper works were undertaken alongside certified Alumasc flat roof installation, carpentry, lime plastering, specialist glazing and complex scaffold and access planning. Traditional materials including lime plaster and lime paints were used alongside the new roofing systems. 

Overcoming the Challenges

Working on a heritage building of this nature presented significant challenges throughout the project.

The extensive scaffold installation required road and pavement closures, with careful consideration given to public safety, security and access. The project initially began while the library remained occupied, before the building was later closed to ensure the safety of staff and members of the public.

As areas were opened up and accessed, a number of previously unknown works were identified. This required the programme to adapt, with schedules and completion dates revised as the full extent of the works became apparent. 

A Project to Be Proud Of

Following 10 months on site, the result is a successfully completed refurbishment that combines modern building solutions with the specialist skills required to work sensitively with a heritage property.

For the WMS team, it is a project to be proud of - one that called upon a unique combination of skills and expertise to help ensure Bridgwater Library can continue to serve the public for many years to come.

We’re always pleased to recognise great work from the people delivering projects on site, and this latest fencing project from Keith, one of our multi-skilled operatives, is another job worthy of a mention.

The project involved the installation of new timber fencing around a raised garden boundary, with the site presenting an interesting working environment due to the changing levels and existing stone walls.

The new fencing has been carefully installed around the perimeter, following the shape and levels of the existing boundary to create a consistent finished result.

For Keith, who has delivered a number of fencing projects as part of his work with WMS, it was another project he was particularly proud to complete.

A great finished result and another example of the care and attention our operatives bring to their work.

WMS has completed an extensive £600,000 refurbishment programme at St Mary’s Church in Looe, Cornwall, bringing together a range of specialist trades to improve and refresh the building over a seven-month period.

The project included the removal of old cement pointing and subsequent repointing, new windows and a wider programme of works requiring coordination between WMS, specialist subcontractors and multiple trades.

A Significant Programme of Refurbishment

An important element of the project involved the removal of old cement pointing and subsequent repointing of the building, alongside the installation of new windows.

The wider programme brought together masons, kitchen fitting, plumbing and electrical expertise alongside specialist subcontractors.

With a contract value of approximately £600,000 and works taking place over seven months, effective coordination between the different trades was an important part of successfully delivering the programme.

Bringing Specialist Trades Together

Projects of this scale require a collaborative approach, with different trades working together as the refurbishment progresses.

The WMS team coordinated the programme alongside its project partners, bringing together the range of skills required to complete the works while maintaining progress throughout the seven-month contract.

Positive Feedback

The completed project has received very positive feedback, not only from the client but also from local residents and members of the public.

For a building with an important place within its local community, that response provides a particularly welcome conclusion to seven months of work by everyone involved.

Another substantial Cornwall refurbishment successfully delivered by the WMS team and its project partners.

WMS delivered a £398,000 programme of window and roof refurbishment works at The Homestead in Cheddar, Somerset, providing supported accommodation for residents aged over 55.

Working for Sanctuary Housing, the 16-week programme involved improvements across the apartment blocks, with WMS coordinating its site team alongside specialist window and roofing subcontractors.

Window & Roof Refurbishment

The programme focused on the refurbishment of windows and roofs across the apartment blocks, bringing together WMS site management and bricklaying expertise with specialist window and roofing contractors.

With residents remaining at the heart of the project, coordinating works within an occupied supported accommodation setting was an important consideration throughout delivery.

Learning Through Resident Engagement

One of the key challenges identified during the programme was communication with residents.

With no full-time scheme manager in place during much of the project, there was initially no single on-site point of contact, making it more difficult to communicate upcoming works and respond consistently to residents' questions and concerns.

The experience highlighted an important opportunity for future projects of this nature. Regular weekly or fortnightly resident meetings would provide a dedicated forum for explaining upcoming works, answering questions and addressing concerns before each stage begins.

A full-time scheme manager was appointed towards the end of the programme, further supporting communication on site.

Delivering and Learning

The 16-week project demonstrates the importance of combining effective construction delivery with strong resident communication, particularly when working within occupied supported accommodation.

Alongside delivering the physical improvements, lessons taken from The Homestead will help inform WMS's approach to future resident-facing programmes and strengthen engagement from the outset.