What we do
We build and renovate beautiful houses and apartments in Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire, making careful use of land to create homes that enhance their surroundings, whether urban or rural. Our developments are bespoke and genuinely special.
It’s Personal
John Yerbury runs the business. Each year he handpicks a small number of standout sites in which he can see the potential to create something exceptional. We are an owner managed business, not a corporate with layers of management, turning out identikit houses.
John directs every detail of the complex development process himself – from blank sheet to dream home; concept design, architectural scoping, planning, specification, interior design, engineering, build, landscaping and testing.
Ultimately, our buyers meet and get to know John. This is what makes the experience different, more personal and, therefore, more reassuring and enjoyable.
john-yerbury-construction-image
A Design Edge
Our goal is to create houses that people love to live in. We don’t build “beige” houses, homes that lack character and individuality. Instead, careful, considered design and specification is at the forefront of each renovation or development, not just a “one size fits all” solution to save time and money.
Our houses must have an edge and we always collaborate with talented interior designers to achieve this. From meticulously chosen flooring and surfaces, to thoughtfully designed bathrooms and kitchens, and intelligent heating, electrical and audio systems, we never cut corners. Elevated styling and lasting quality of fit-out, finish and functionality matters hugely to us.
john-yerbury-design-image
Building a Legacy
We only choose sites that we think are special in aspect and situation, whether in town, village or more rural locations. However, development in historic or rural settings can be emotive, particularly for local people. We recognise this – change is not easy, particularly if it’s seen as out of keeping but we work hard to add to and conserve the surroundings, not detract from them.
We sensitively design and build character-filled houses that, with their new owners, contribute to the community and leave a lasting, positive legacy. This is what drives us – it tells a story about us as a local construction company and we care about that, about what people think.
Building a legacy
Our Projects
Developments
Site Selection
Developing just one or two schemes a year, John Yerbury himself handpicks a small number of standout sites on which he can see the potential to create something genuinely special. We have a rigorous assessment process but in the end view and location are the biggest drivers. So this covers anything from a townhouse or apartment in the centre of Bath with shops, restaurants and museums on the doorstep, to an edge of village site with local pub, school, church and countryside.
Architectural Concept
We work closely with architects and planning consultants to design and build houses that are sensitive to, and take inspiration from, their surroundings. So whether our selected site is on the edge of a village surrounded by rolling Somerset hills with a view to the local church or a cobbled Bath street of mixed styles and periods, we painstakingly plan and refine the design and detailing to enhance, not detract from, the environment and community in which it will eventually sit.
Fabric First & Sustainability
We use a “fabric first” approach which maximises the performance of the materials that make up the building itself. This can improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, as well as help to reduce operational costs. A fabric first approach to building can also reduce the need for maintenance which is another benefit to the owner.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
Craftsmanship is an overused word in this industry but we work across the full spectrum of building disciplines to marry modern methods and the latest technologies with traditional skills and talented artisans for an exemplary finish. We employ local people wherever possible and our developments help to sustain traditional skills in masonry, timber-framing, carpentry and many other disciplines. This is all part of creating a lasting, positive legacy for the communities in which we work.
DESIGN FLAIR & FINISH
Design and quality is what makes a John Yerbury house different. Each one must have an edge and we always collaborate with talented interior designers to achieve this. From meticulously chosen flooring and surfaces, to thoughtfully designed bathrooms and kitchens, and intelligent heating, electrical and audio systems, we never cut corners. Elevated styling and lasting quality of fit-out, finish and functionality matters profoundly to us.
HANDOVER & AFTERCARE
A comprehensive checking process before handover ensures that our new owners move in to a perfectly finished house where all they have to do is unpack! A handover meeting to run through all systems is supported by a comprehensive Owner’s Information Pack and warranties.
Renovations
ARCHITECTURAL RE-DESIGN
We work closely with architects to breathe new life into unloved buildings, working within planning parameters to create something that suits the style and period of the property, as well as its surroundings.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
Craftsmanship is an overused word in this industry but in a period project it’s particularly important. We employ local people wherever possible and our renovations help to sustain traditional skills in masonry, timber-framing, carpentry and many other disciplines. This is all part of creating a lasting, positive legacy for the communities in which we work.
DESIGN FLAIR & FINISH
Design and quality is what makes a John Yerbury house or renovation different. Each one must have an edge and function perfectly for practical living. From meticulously chosen flooring and surfaces, to thoughtfully designed bathrooms and kitchens, we never cut corners. Elevated styling and lasting quality of fit-out, finish and functionality matters hugely to us.
Developments
Site Selection
Developing just one or two schemes a year, John Yerbury himself handpicks a small number of standout sites on which he can see the potential to create something genuinely special. We have a rigorous assessment process but in the end view and location are the biggest drivers. So this covers anything from a townhouse or apartment in the centre of Bath with shops, restaurants and museums on the doorstep, to an edge of village site with local pub, school, church and countryside.
Architectural Concept
We work closely with architects and planning consultants to design and build houses that are sensitive to, and take inspiration from, their surroundings. So whether our selected site is on the edge of a village surrounded by rolling Somerset hills with a view to the local church or a cobbled Bath street of mixed styles and periods, we painstakingly plan and refine the design and detailing to enhance, not detract from, the environment and community in which it will eventually sit.
Fabric First & Sustainability
We use a “fabric first” approach which maximises the performance of the materials that make up the building itself. This can improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, as well as help to reduce operational costs. A fabric first approach to building can also reduce the need for maintenance which is another benefit to the owner.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
Craftsmanship is an overused word in this industry but we work across the full spectrum of building disciplines to marry modern methods and the latest technologies with traditional skills and talented artisans for an exemplary finish. We employ local people wherever possible and our developments help to sustain traditional skills in masonry, timber-framing, carpentry and many other disciplines. This is all part of creating a lasting, positive legacy for the communities in which we work.
DESIGN FLAIR & FINISH
Design and quality is what makes a John Yerbury house different. Each one must have an edge and we always collaborate with talented interior designers to achieve this. From meticulously chosen flooring and surfaces, to thoughtfully designed bathrooms and kitchens, and intelligent heating, electrical and audio systems, we never cut corners. Elevated styling and lasting quality of fit-out, finish and functionality matters profoundly to us.
HANDOVER & AFTERCARE
A comprehensive checking process before handover ensures that our new owners move in to a perfectly finished house where all they have to do is unpack! A handover meeting to run through all systems is supported by a comprehensive Owner’s Information Pack and warranties.
Renovations
ARCHITECTURAL RE-DESIGN
We work closely with architects to breathe new life into unloved buildings, working within planning parameters to create something that suits the style and period of the property, as well as its surroundings.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
Craftsmanship is an overused word in this industry but in a period project it’s particularly important. We employ local people wherever possible and our renovations help to sustain traditional skills in masonry, timber-framing, carpentry and many other disciplines. This is all part of creating a lasting, positive legacy for the communities in which we work.
DESIGN FLAIR & FINISH
Design and quality is what makes a John Yerbury house or renovation different. Each one must have an edge and function perfectly for practical living. From meticulously chosen flooring and surfaces, to thoughtfully designed bathrooms and kitchens, we never cut corners. Elevated styling and lasting quality of fit-out, finish and functionality matters hugely to us.
Our People
With John at the helm, we have a small core team based out of our Somerset office, as well as an extended local network of trusted contractors and suppliers with whom we work regularly. Wherever possible we employ local people and these tradesmen, craftspeople, managers and administrators all share our ethos for quality. They are central to the construction, as well as aftercare, process.
Our Partners
As a local business, long-standing relationships of trust and honesty underpin us. This loyalty, as well as quality is paramount, so while decisions must make commercial sense it’s never just about price. We collaborate with professional partners to scope, design and specify our houses. From planning consultants, architects and estate agents, to engineers, surveyors and designers, each one has a pivotal role to play.