Sandstone foundations, lime mortars, old footings and a century of repairs layered on top. We restore Sydney's older homes and buildings with the right methods and materials for their age.
Sydney's Victorian terraces, Federation homes and sandstone buildings were built with lime mortars, soft bricks and sandstone footings that behave very differently to modern materials. Using cement-based repairs on them often traps moisture and speeds up the damage.
We have spent over 40 years working on older Sydney buildings, from an 1850 residence in Darlinghurst to an 1880 property in Enmore and a 1920s semi in Vaucluse with complex sandstone foundations. These are the jobs where experience matters most.
Restoration work is planned around what is original and worth keeping. We repair sandstone, repoint in lime, treat rising damp, stabilise footings and fix previous defective work, coordinating with engineers and heritage requirements where they apply.
If any of these sound familiar, it is worth a free site visit. We will tell you straight what your site needs.
Stone that is powdering, flaking or losing its face, often at the base of walls.
Old lime mortar that has eroded or been patched with hard cement.
Tide marks, bubbling paint and crumbling plaster at the base of walls.
Cracks in walls and around openings from settling footings or failed lintels.
Cement render, patches or alterations that are now causing damage.
Floors, joists and verandahs affected by damp and poor ventilation.
Restoring an older home? Send us photos of the areas of concern and we will give you an honest view of what is involved.
We keep what is original and worth saving, and repair it with materials that suit the building.
Repair, dress back or replace weathered sandstone in walls, sills, steps and footings.
Rake out cement and failed joints and repoint with lime mortars that let old walls breathe.
Engineer-designed footing, underpinning and wall repairs for older buildings.
DPC injection, salt-resistant render systems and improved drainage and ventilation.
Removing and correcting defective previous repairs and alterations.
Repairs to verandahs, floors and joists affected by damp or decay.
A selection of recent heritage restoration projects across Sydney.
View all projects
Every heritage project follows the same five steps, from inspection to handover.
We attend site, inspect the defect and its surroundings, and identify the cause rather than just the symptom. Where needed we take photos, moisture readings and cover measurements.
We coordinate a remedial or structural engineer where required and agree a written scope of works that fixes the cause, not only the visible damage.
You receive a clear, itemised written quote with methodology, materials, access, programme and any approvals. No vague lump sums.
Our crew carries out the work to the engineer's specification and Australian Standards, with progress photos and hold-point inspections at each critical stage.
Final inspection, clean-up and a handover pack: photos, product data, engineer sign-off where applicable, and your statutory warranty under the Home Building Act 1989.
A full photo record, materials schedule and documentation of what was repaired, replaced and kept. Valuable for heritage approvals, insurers and future owners.
Heritage restoration is where 40+ years on Sydney sites shows. We know how older buildings were built and how to repair them without causing new problems.
We diagnose why the defect happened. Patching over the symptom is why so many repairs fail twice.
DBP General Unrestricted (BUP4254812). Qualified for Class 2 apartment remedial work under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020.
Builder Licence 384697C, $20M public liability, workers compensation and HBCF cover where required.
We work with remedial and structural engineers from diagnosis to sign-off, so the fix is designed, not guessed.
Photos, product data, hold-point records and certification. Exactly what strata committees, insurers and buyers ask for.
Hands-on remedial and heritage work across Sydney since the 1970s, including jobs other builders turned down.
Real reviews from homeowners, strata and builders.
We have been undertaking a considerable repair and restoration of our 1850 residence in Darlinghurst. Constatine and his team completed outstanding work, all at a very competitive price. Every deadline was met with no increase to the original quote. Their knowledge, gathered over many years, and their incredible eye for detail significantly improved the final outcome beyond what was originally proposed. I rate them very highly and would recommend them wholeheartedly.
Constatine and his team were outstanding from start to finish. They responded quickly, arrived on time for the quote, and once awarded the project, completed everything on schedule. The property was built in 1880 and presented a very difficult scope of work, but the team handled it expertly. We received regular updates, excellent advice, and the quality of workmanship was exceptional. They were also extremely tidy throughout the process. I could not recommend METCON highly enough.
My partner and I own an original 1920s semi-detached home in Vaucluse, with complex sandstone foundations and multiple structural challenges caused by previous defective works. After years of delays, failed consultants, and no progress, I met Constatine and his team. From the beginning, I was impressed by the detailed review of our plans and the identification of numerous discrepancies that previous builders had missed. The team supported us through lengthy council negotiations, neighbour consultations, and COVID-related delays, even before contracts were signed. Once construction commenced, Constatine and the Meteora Constructions team were exceptional. Progress remained on schedule despite heavy rain, unforeseen structural issues, and highly complex underpinning works that previous builders had refused to undertake. They completed the work efficiently and at significantly less cost than other builders had quoted. I cannot speak highly enough of Constatine and METCON Remedial Services. It is no understatement to say that engaging Constatine and his team saved not only our project, but probably our marriage as well.
Straight answers from the builder. Anything else, just ask.
Remedial building is the repair of defects, damage and deterioration in existing buildings, such as concrete cancer, leaking balconies, failed waterproofing, rising damp and cracked facades. The aim is to fix the underlying cause and restore the building's performance, not just its appearance.
It depends entirely on the defect, its extent, access and the specification. A small concrete cancer patch is very different from a whole-building balcony programme. We inspect for free and provide an itemised written quote so you can see exactly where the money goes.
Residential building work in NSW carries statutory warranties under the Home Building Act 1989: six years for major defects and two years for other defects. We provide full documentation at handover.
Yes. We regularly price and deliver remedial scopes written by independent engineers, and we can also help you engage one if you do not have a report yet.
Remedial problems rarely come alone. Leaks cause concrete cancer, damp causes render failure. We fix the whole chain.
Back to Remedial BuildingPlain-language guides from our team on the questions we are asked most.
Terraces and older homes in Paddington, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Balmain, Enmore, Newtown, Vaucluse and right across Sydney.
The age of the building, what you are seeing and a few photos is enough for an initial view. We will book an inspection from there.
