The South West is full of beautiful old agricultural buildings waiting to become homes. Turning a stone or cob barn into a warm, characterful dwelling is some of the most rewarding carpentry we do — and some of the most demanding. We bring the structural and joinery skill these projects need across Devon and Cornwall.
A barn conversion lives or dies on the carpentry. We carry out the structural timberwork that holds the building together, the new framing that creates floors and rooms inside an open shell, the roof structure that keeps it dry, and the finishing joinery — doors, windows, staircases, flooring and bespoke fittings — that turns a shell into a home. We work closely with your architect, structural engineer and the other trades to keep the whole programme moving.
Old Devon and Cornwall barns were rarely built to carry the loads of domestic use. We assess the existing structure, repair or replace failed purlins, rafters and wall plates, and introduce new structural timber where the design requires it. Where original trusses survive, we restore them as a feature rather than hide them.
For new framing we work in green oak, using traditional mortice-and-tenon joints and pegs that sit comfortably alongside the original fabric. A well-made oak frame is both the structure and the centrepiece — exposed trusses and braces that give a converted barn its drama.
The roof is usually the most urgent element of any barn project. We form and repair roof structures to take modern insulation and slate or tile coverings while keeping the original roofline that planners and neighbours expect. Many Cornish barns carry natural slate; Devon buildings may use clay tile or thatch, and we detail the carpentry to suit.
We balance traditional and modern materials throughout: reclaimed and green oak, lime-based detailing and natural slate where the building's character demands it, paired with modern insulation, breathable membranes and structural fixings that meet current Building Regulations and keep the finished home warm and dry.
The planning route shapes the whole project. Class Q permitted development can allow an agricultural barn to become a dwelling without full planning permission, but it carries strict conditions on size, structural soundness and location, and it does not apply to listed barns or some protected landscapes. Listed buildings need full planning and listed building consent, with far tighter control over materials and methods.
We build to whatever consent has been granted and work hand-in-hand with your planning consultant. For a fuller explanation of the rules, read our guide on barn conversion planning in Cornwall.
Barn conversions are major projects. The carpentry and structural phases typically span several months, and a full conversion from shell to finished home usually takes 9 to 18 months including design and consents. Carpentry is generally priced per square metre of floor area.
| Scope | Guide price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sound barn, finishing joinery led | £800 – £1,000/m² | Minimal structural repair needed |
| Moderate structural & roof work | £1,000 – £1,300/m² | New framing, partial re-roof |
| Extensive rebuild / oak framing | £1,300 – £1,500/m² | New trusses, full re-roof, exposed oak |
These figures cover the carpentry and structural elements; whole-project costs including all trades, services and fit-out will be higher and are best estimated once the design and consent are settled.
Barn conversions are unforgiving — remote sites, unpredictable old structures and demanding planning conditions all in one project. With over 10 years and 200+ projects across Devon and Cornwall, we are comfortable working on rural farm sites, restoring original trusses, cutting green oak frames and coordinating the carpentry around the wider build programme.
We give clear, written, itemised quotes and a realistic timeline, and we tell you early about the things that old buildings like to hide.
Barn renovation and conversion carpentry typically runs from £800 to £1,500 per m² in 2026, depending on the condition of the structure, the amount of new oak framing and roofing required, and the level of finish. A sound barn needing mainly finishing joinery sits at the lower end; a building requiring extensive structural repair, new trusses and a re-roof sits at the upper end.
Class Q is a permitted-development right that can allow an agricultural barn to be converted to a dwelling without full planning permission, subject to prior approval and strict conditions on size, structure and location. It does not apply to listed barns or those in some protected areas, which need full planning and listed building consent. We work alongside your architect and planning consultant and build to whatever consent is granted.
The carpentry and structural phases of a barn conversion in Devon or Cornwall typically span several months, and a full conversion from empty shell to finished home usually takes 9 to 18 months including design, consents and trades. Timelines depend heavily on the condition of the original structure and the planning route, which we factor into your programme.
Yes. We carry out barn renovations and conversions throughout rural Devon and Cornwall, including the areas around Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay, Barnstaple, Truro and Tavistock, and we are used to working on remote farm sites.
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