First Fix Carpentry in Berkshire for Extensions, Lofts and Renovations

First fix is the structural carpentry stage carried out before plastering — stud partition walls, floor joists, timber framing and door linings. It happens after the building shell is weathertight and before plasterboard, insulation and wiring are closed in. Everything built at this stage has to be plumb, level and square, because it is very difficult to correct once the room is finished.

Both, depending on the project. Many of our first fix jobs are labour-only, working to a main contractor's or builder's merchant materials already on site. On others, particularly for homeowners managing their own extension or loft conversion, we supply and fit the timber ourselves. We confirm which basis suits your project at the quote stage.

Yes — email the plans or drawings and we will review them before we come out, so the site visit is used to check the drawings against what actually exists rather than reading them for the first time. PDF or scanned images both work. Use the form on this page or email them directly.

Both. We regularly work as a subcontract first fix carpentry team alongside main contractors, builders and project managers on extensions and renovations, and we work directly with homeowners and architects managing their own build. Either way, we price from the drawings and fit in with the existing site programme.

A single-storey extension first fix — stud walls, floor joists if suspended, door linings — typically takes one to two weeks depending on size and how much of the structure is already in place. We confirm a specific timeline once we have seen the drawings and the site.

Yes. Loft conversion first fix typically involves doubling or sistering the existing ceiling joists to take new floor loading, framing stud walls for the new rooms and any dormer, and fitting door linings — all built to the structural engineer's specification for the new floor.

It happens more often than drawings suggest — walls that aren't quite where the plan shows, floors that aren't level, joist centres that vary from bay to bay. We flag discrepancies at the site visit, before pricing, and agree the fix with you or your architect rather than guessing on site.

Yes. Fire door linings are built and fitted to the dimensions and gap tolerances the door manufacturer and building regulations specify, so the certified door performs as tested. We work from the specification your architect or building control surveyor provides.

We carry out the carpentry — temporary propping, padstones, and fitting the new beam — but the beam itself must be sized by a structural engineer and the work must be signed off by building control. We don't provide structural calculations ourselves; we build to the engineer's specification.

Roof carpentry — cut roofs, rafters, loft conversion ridge beams — is priced and scheduled as its own stage, usually alongside or just after wall first fix. See our roof carpentry page for the detail, or mention it when you send plans and we will price both together.

First fix is structural and happens before plastering — stud walls, joists, framing, door linings. Second fix happens after plastering and decorating — hanging the doors themselves, skirting, architraves, staircase balustrades. Our first fix and second fix overview page explains how the two stages connect on a typical project.

That depends on the project and is arranged through your architect or the homeowner, not us. We work from approved drawings and building control-approved structural specifications where they apply — we don't provide planning or building control sign-off ourselves, and we'll ask to see it before starting any work that depends on it.

Yes. All our workmanship, including first fix, is covered by our 2-year workmanship guarantee, and we carry full public liability insurance.

We can do both. Once first fix is signed off, we can carry out the plastering, decorating, second fix and kitchen fitting, so one team takes the job from bare timber to finished room. Electrics and plumbing are carried out by your own qualified trades.