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COB REPAIRS & COB CONSERVATION IN NORTH DEVON

Expert Cob Repairs by Set in Stone Traditional Build

TRADITIONAL COB CONSERVATION USING BREATHABLE, TIME-HONOURED METHODS

Set in Stone Traditional Build in Bideford specialises in cob repairs and conservation for period and heritage properties throughout North Devon and the Cornwall border. 

Cob buildings are a defining feature of Devon and Cornwall’s architectural history, and they require specialist knowledge, breathable materials, and careful workmanship to remain structurally sound.

Whether you own a cob cottage, farmhouse, listed building or rural outbuilding, our experienced team provides sensitive, long-lasting repairs that protect your property’s character and integrity.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

OUR COB SERVICES

Every cob project begins with a detailed assessment of the building’s condition. We identify underlying causes of deterioration, whether from water ingress, inappropriate past repairs, or structural movement – before recommending the most suitable solution.

  • Traditional cob patch repairs and rebuilding
  • Structural stabilisation of cob walls
  • Removal of inappropriate cement render
  • Application of breathable lime render finishes
  • Conservation work on listed and heritage buildings

We use natural, breathable materials that are compatible with traditional cob construction, ensuring your walls remain strong, flexible and moisture-balanced.

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WHAT WE WORK ON

  • Cob cottages across rural North Devon
  • Devon longhouses and farm properties
  • Listed buildings and conservation area homes
  • Rural barns and agricultural buildings
  • Heritage commercial premises

Each property is treated individually, with solutions tailored to its age, structure and environment.

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ABIT MORE ABOUT COB CONSTRUCTION

Cob is a traditional natural building material made from clay-rich subsoil, sand, straw and water. Used for centuries across Devon and Cornwall, cob creates thick, solid walls that provide excellent thermal mass and durability when properly maintained.

Unlike modern masonry, cob walls must remain breathable. Inappropriate cement renders or modern repair methods can trap moisture, leading to cracking, bulging, and structural deterioration. That’s why specialist cob repair is essential.

Why specialist cob repairs are important

Cob buildings behave very differently to modern properties. They expand and contract naturally and must be able to release moisture effectively.

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LOCAL COB SPECIALISTS IN DEVON & CORNWALL

Our team specialises in cob repairs and conservation work for traditional Devon and Cornwall properties. From internal stabilisation to full external restoration, we help older cob cottages and farm buildings remain safe, breathable, and structurally sound.

We regularly work across North Devon and the Cornwall border, including Bideford, Barnstaple, Torrington, Launceston, Bude, and Okehampton, delivering sensitive cob repair solutions tailored to each property.

If your cob home or heritage building needs expert care, our local craftsmen provide reliable, skilled workmanship you can depend on.

TRUSTED FOR HERITAGE & TRADITIONAL BUILDING WORK

General Building & Traditional Masonry

Andy has a vast amount of knowledge and experience within the building industry and is very passionate about his trade, highly recommended for any size of job at very reasonable rates.

Shaun Herbert

Stone Wall Re-Building & Masonry Repairs

Andy and the team are fantastic, they did an excellent job rebuilding our wall and would highly recommend them.

Claire Brinsmead

Cob Repairs & Lime Restoration

Andy has expert knowledge on cob & lime render. Upon discovery of the corner of our house walls coming away from each other, he worked hard and fast to rectify the situation. I have already booked him to re-render the rest of the house and have recommended him to friends and neighbours.

James Rackliff

Cob Wall Restoration & Chimney Re-Building

Set in Stone undertook repairs to my cottage after a cob wall collapsed. This entailed enlarging and rebuilding the chimney from the ground up, replicating two slate capped shoulders, rebuilding a brick chimney stack and replacing sand and cement render on the entire front cottage wall with limestone render. Andy is a perfectionist. He and his team worked very hard in all weathers and I am delighted with the way my cottage looks now.

Maura Ashworth

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