Building project manager on the False Bay coast

The False Bay coast is a string of seaside towns squeezed between the mountains and the water. Many buildings are old, from early twentieth century seaside villas and cottages to mid-century flats, and some streets in Muizenberg and Simon's Town have strong historic character. Renovating these buildings often turns up old construction methods, tired services and alterations from years past. Leon is used to working on old and listed buildings, so we plan careful surveys, allow for surprises in the budget and agree the right way to repair before work begins.

Space is the other big factor here. Many plots are narrow or cut into steep slopes above the main road, with limited parking and no room for a large site camp. The main coastal road and railway can make deliveries and road closures difficult to arrange. Salt spray and strong winter storms take a toll on paint, steel and timber, especially on seafront buildings. We pick out these issues during planning, agree delivery and storage plans with the contractor, and choose materials and coatings that will last in a constantly salty, windy setting.