NHS Funded Independance Scheme Helping people live safely, confidently, and independently.
We recently completed an NHS-funded bungalow renovation for someone transitioning into supported living, and this one meant a lot.
What began as a tired property is now a safe, sustainable, and fully self-contained home. And while the refurbishment took several weeks, the difference that this will make will last for years.
Working closely with care professionals, we delivered:
✅ Solar panels and PV systems for low-cost, sustainable living
✅ New windows and doors for added security and efficiency
✅ A robust, care-friendly kitchen
✅ Wet room and staff shower room, designed for safety
✅ Full heating system upgrade
✅ Hygienic, non-slip flooring throughout
✅ Refurbished outbuilding for staff use
✅ External landscaping and garden clearance
✅ Extensive electrical work and redecoration
This wasn’t just about refurbishing a property. It was about building independence, stability, and a fresh start.
This is the kind of work we care about, and what we specialise in.
Every detail is designed to support the people living there, along with the team around them.
It’s always meaningful, but projects like this remind us exactly why we do what we do.
Flood Drying and remedial works to BDMA protocols Bristol Road, Birmingham – From Flood Response to Full Rebuild
When heavy rainfall caused the River Rea to burst its banks in Birmingham, water surged into surrounding areas—flooding homes, businesses, and in this case, a supported living care home on Bristol Road. The building was quickly overwhelmed by surface water, leaving vulnerable residents without access to essential facilities.
SJR Group were called in as an emergency response team, initially tasked with clearing debris and wet-vacuuming standing water throughout the ground floor. But what began as a clean-up operation quickly became a full damage management and reinstatement project—with serious secondary issues emerging as the scale of the flood became clear. Full Lifecycle Recovery – The BDMA Way
Our work followed the recognised British Damage Management Association (BDMA) framework to ensure the property was restored safely, hygienically, and in line with best practice:
Immediate damage control – including environmental protection, waste removal, and electrical isolation.
Secondary damage assessment – identifying water ingress behind walls, under flooring, and into fixtures.
Damage limitation – protecting unaffected areas and reducing future risk of damp, mould, and decay.
Controlled strip-out – removing damaged plasterboard, floor coverings, and insulation.
Specialist drying programme – using desiccant dehumidifiers and air movers, monitored and logged until structural materials were certified dry.
Full reinstatement – carried out in line with the insurer’s schedule of works.
Upgraded Living Spaces
As part of the rebuild, we worked with the client and insurance provider to enhance the space, not just return it to pre-loss condition. This included:
A full wetroom refit
Upgraded commercial kitchen facilities
New safety flooring throughout the property
Refreshed decorations, improved hygiene surfaces, and better durability
Commitment to Professional Standards
This project also inspired the SJR team to formalise our expertise in fire and flood recovery by pursuing BDMA Technician status. The exam is being sat on 6th August, and marks a key milestone as we expand our offering as a fully qualified fire and flood contractor—ready to support insurers, care providers, and vulnerable residents when they need it most.
Q: How do you refit a wetroom when it’s the only wetroom in the house? A: Very slowly and carefully.
This became something of a mantra on a recent project we completed for a client who depended entirely on a single ground-floor wetroom. With no second bathroom available and specialist adaptations already in place, there was no room for error—and no spare space for the client to use during the work. Every move had to be planned, sequenced, and tidied back each day so that the room could remain partially functional overnight.
Careful Phasing in a Live Environment
The wetroom was essential, not just a convenience. That meant working in tight daily windows to strip, rebuild, and then reassemble the room for evening use—right down to reinstalling the toilet every afternoon.
Walls were taken right back to brick to correct long-term water damage behind the original tiling. This provided a clean and stable substrate for installing new wall linings—Altro Whiterock hygienic wall panels—which replaced the original tiles. The upgrade improved not only water resistance but also hygiene control, making daily cleaning far easier and reducing long-term risk of mould and bacteria buildup.
A Complex Toilet Installation
The toilet itself was a key challenge. This wasn’t a standard pan—it was a specialist wash/dry unit with built-in bidet and dryer functions, requiring a fused spur for electrical power and very precise plumbing alignment. With no option to leave it disconnected overnight, the team had to uninstall and reinstall the full system—complete with temporary electrical isolation and safe reconnection—each evening before leaving site.
Precision, Planning, and Patience
Wetroom refits are always a challenge—but when they’re live, essential-use environments, the approach needs to be calm, meticulous, and highly coordinated.
And yes—"Very slowly and carefully" sums it up better than most.
Matching Exactly to the Original: An exercise in Restoration following flood damage
This was one of the more reflective jobs we’ve worked on.
But also one of the most meaningful.
We were called in after an elderly gentleman accidentally left the bath running, which caused the ceiling to collapse in the room below.
The damage was significant: parquet flooring, vintage wallpaper, and handmade cupboards he had built himself all ruined.
His one request?
“Put it back exactly as it was.”
He didn't want any modern materials or improvements. Just straight restoration.
We sourced reclaimed parquet, reinstated the stippled ceiling, and found near-matching wallpaper and it was all delivered to BDMA standards.
But this job wasn’t just about materials.
It was about the man behind them.
➤ He had dementia.
➤ He was forgetful, sometimes confused, and understandably anxious about having people in his home.
➤ He didn’t want us letting ourselves in, even with permission.
➤ He needed structure, familiarity, and a little more time and care.
So that’s what we gave him.
✓ We knocked every morning so he could open the door himself.
✓ We worked around his routine, not ours.
✓ And we reminded ourselves often: what if this was our dad?
It took patience.
It took planning.
And it took a team that genuinely cared.
Because reinstatement isn’t just about restoring rooms.
It’s about respecting the people who live in them.
Fire Door Installation and Automation
At SJR Group, we continue to deliver specialist compliance and access solutions that prioritise both resident safety and modern functionality. Our latest project involved the full automation of four internal fire door sets within an occupied residential property — a live environment that required careful coordination, minimal disruption, and adherence to the highest fire safety standards.
Scope of Work
The works included the automation of the following door sets:
Bedroom 2
Kitchen door to hallway
Kitchen to lounge
Lounge to hallway
Each set was upgraded using the Record DFA single header system — a trusted, compliant solution for automatic open/close functionality. These units are designed to operate seamlessly with both pull and push action, ensuring smooth access throughout the property, particularly for vulnerable residents or those with reduced mobility.
Compliance and Certification
To meet current fire safety regulations, all doors were fitted with ADIA-accredited safety sensors on both the push and pull sides, ensuring safe operation and immediate stoppage if movement is detected during activation. Full BM TRADA compliance certification will be issued within 7 days of completion, offering peace of mind and an auditable trail of quality and safety.
Wiring and Integration
Works also involved:
New fused spur connections for power supply
Concealed cabling routed within wall structures, prepared and finished to receive new decorations (to be completed by others shortly after)
Full integration with the existing fire panel, ensuring the new systems respond appropriately to alarm signals and maintain compartmentation integrity in the event of a fire.
Working in a Live Environment
As the property remained occupied throughout the project, our team worked sensitively and efficiently — maintaining clear communication with residents and staff, managing dust and noise, and coordinating works to minimise disruption.
Delivering Confidence in Compliance
This project reflects our ongoing commitment to safe, accessible environments that don’t compromise on compliance. Whether you're upgrading access systems or ensuring your property meets fire safety regulations, our team delivers technically sound solutions — backed by certification, attention to detail, and care for the people who live and work within the space.
Not Every Job is a Big One – But Every Job Matters
Transforming a Kitchenette into a Functional Storeroom in a Live Care Setting
At SJR Group, not all our projects involve full refurbishments or structural overhauls. Sometimes it's the small, functional upgrades that make the biggest difference to staff and residents.
We were recently asked to convert a small 2x2m kitchen area into a dedicated storeroom within a care facility. The works were straightforward on paper: remove kitchen units, cap off services, install hygienic wall cladding, redecorate, and supply and fix new racking. But working in a live care environment means taking extra time — trades coming in one at a time, noise kept to a minimum, and everything cleaned down thoroughly at the end of each day.
Ironically, we’ve completed full wetroom refits in less time than this one took — but that’s the nature of sensitive environments. We’re proud to work around the needs of care teams and service users, no matter the size or scope of the job.
Garden Reimagined: A Multi-Level Makeover with Modern Finishes
What began as a tired, uneven outdoor space became a sleek, modern garden through a complete redesign and rebuild.
This residential project involved flattening a multi-level garden, gutting the existing layout, and delivering a full suite of new landscaping features — all with contemporary finishes and clean lines.
The works included:
New patio areas and decking zones
A bespoke pergola for year-round use
Artificial grass installation for a low-maintenance lawn
Blockwork flower beds and raised planters
Full resurfacing, fencing, and tidy boundary finishes
From top to bottom, this was a complete transformation — turning a disjointed outdoor area into a fully functional, stylish extension of the home.
Care Sector Wetroom Refurbishments: 4-Room Upgrade in Eastbourne
This six-week project saw the successful delivery of four full wetroom refurbishments in a live care setting — all completed on time and within budget.
Working closely with the client to minimise disruption, we upgraded each room with:
Altro wall boards for hygiene and durability
New sanitaryware and accessible layouts
Grab rails and fixtures suited to varying mobility needs
Specialist fit-out tailored to care-compliant standards
This project demonstrated our ability to deliver quality, consistency, and care-specific adaptations — all while keeping the facility operational throughout.
Refined Living: Two Bespoke Bathrooms as Part of a Full House Refurbishment
As part of a full residential refurbishment, we delivered two stunning bathrooms designed around comfort, quality, and modern living.
Each space was completely reimagined, with:
High-spec sanitaryware and brassware
Elegant tiling and finishes throughout
Thoughtful lighting and storage solutions
Seamless integration into the wider home design
These bathrooms now serve as standout features within a beautifully refurbished home — combining function with a touch of luxury.
Breaking New Ground: A Double Storey Extension with an Experimental Edge
When our client came to us with big ambitions for their home — a striking double-storey extension, complete with a full internal fit-out and landscaped garden — we saw an opportunity to do something different.
Instead of traditional footings, we trialled our steel quick base system on this project — a piled steel frame foundation that’s fully compliant with Building Control but had never before been used on a structure of this size. It was a bold move, but one that paid off.
Despite pushing boundaries, we delivered the full build — including bespoke kitchen, interior finishes, cladding, and external works — in just three months. The project came in 10% over budget, but given the experimental nature of the build and the inevitable bumps along the way, it was a win all round.
The finished space is clad in a clean combination of Rockpanel and Siberian Larch, giving it a crisp, modular look that now sits beautifully within the fully landscaped garden.
A first of its kind — and a benchmark for what’s possible when experience meets innovation.
Loft En-Suite with a Twist: A High-Risk Build Others Turned Down
When others walked away from this project due to the risk of leaks and flooding, we stepped in with confidence.
This residential loft en-suite presented technical challenges — limited space, drainage concerns, and the complexity of building above habitable rooms. But with the right team and approach, we delivered a flawless result.
The finished space is:
Flooded with natural light
Fitted with sleek sanitaryware and luxury finishes
Includes hidden storage behind a bespoke mirrored unit
Fully tanked and sealed for long-term reliability
A bold project — executed with precision — that proves what’s possible when experience meets trust in delivery.
From Care Home to Classic Beauty: Restoring a Victorian Mansion
This was no ordinary project. Working closely with a first-class client and their interior designer, we were tasked with restoring a grand Victorian mansion to its former residential glory — a full transformation from a tired care facility into an elegant family home.
Over seven months, we delivered a comprehensive restoration covering every discipline: general building, full mechanical and electrical upgrades, heating and plumbing, bespoke joinery, painting and decorating, and external works.
The result? A showpiece property that now boasts:
A sleek glass extension blending old with new
Three luxurious bathrooms and a striking en-suite
Fully reimagined landscaped grounds
Period features lovingly restored alongside modern comforts
This was a project that demanded care, coordination, and attention to detail at every stage. And with the right team in place, it became something special — a true return to form for a remarkable home.
Self-Contained Summer House & Garden Office – A Seamless Blend of Function and Finish
This Colchester garden build was all about balancing style with practicality. The client wanted a fully self-contained space — part office, part summer house — and the result is a smart, modern structure with year-round usability.
Built in blockwork for longevity and fully compliant with Building Control and fire regulations, the unit is clad in cedar to the front for a natural, striking look, with black cement board to the sides and rear for a crisp, low-maintenance contrast.
Inside, we installed a shower room without compromising on usable space, leaving plenty of room for a comfortable and private office setup.
The project was completed with:
A neat patio area for outdoor seating
New boundary fencing for a tidy finish
Beautiful interior detailing for a polished final result
A well-considered garden building — professionally delivered and finished to a high standard.
Clever Reconfiguration, Seamless Finish: A Bespoke En‑Suite Transformation
This project was all about maximising space — and getting every detail right.
Working with a brilliant client, we reconfigured part of an existing bedroom to create a bespoke en-suite, combining smart structural work with high-end finishes. The build involved:
Careful wall removal and installation of structural steels
Full new plumbing and electrical services
Constructing new stud partitions to define the space
A fully tanked wet room with porcelain wall and floor tiles
Built-in niches, a double walk-in shower, and matching double basins
A tight footprint, delivered with precision — this was a standout example of turning ordinary space into something truly special.
Leaving Hospital Behind: A Tailored Home for High-Needs Living
This project involved the sensitive adaptation of a residential property to enable the relocation of a severely autistic individual from the hospital system into independent supported living.
Working closely with care professionals and the family, we carried out a full internal renovation across all disciplines, ensuring the space was safe, durable, and suited to the resident’s complex needs.
Key elements included:
Reinforced walls and doors to prevent damage and reduce risk
Specialist finishes designed to be low-stimulation, calming, and easy to maintain
A dedicated padded room for crisis management and safety
Robust mechanical and electrical installations designed for long-term resilience
Reconfigured layout to allow safe circulation and staff support where needed
This was a highly tailored project delivered with care and precision — transforming a standard property into a secure and supportive home that promotes dignity, comfort, and long-term stability.
From Hospital to Sanctuary: A Full Adaptation for Complex Care Needs
This remarkable project began as an internal renovation to support the transition of an autistic individual from long-term hospital care into independent living. Funded by the NHS and delivered in partnership with the care team, the property was transformed into a fully adapted, purpose-built home.
Midway through the build, major structural issues were uncovered — including a rotten sole plate and ring beam — which extended the project to include full external remedial works. What started as an internal adaptation became a whole-property refurbishment, carefully managed to maintain compliance, safety, and continuity.
The completed works included:
Solar and PV panels, and an air source heat pump for sustainable living
Fully padded internal areas for safety and sensory regulation
A new extension, wet room, and adapted kitchen
Complete electrical, gas, and heating systems upgrade
Fire alarms, emergency lighting, and fire doors to care compliance standards
Staff support areas, robust finishes, and full redecoration throughout
External insulation, render, landscaping, and structural timber replacement
This was more than a renovation — it was the creation of a safe, nurturing environment where an individual once caught in the hospital system can now live with dignity, independence, and specialist support.
NHS-Funded Bungalow Renovation for Supported Living
Some projects go beyond bricks and mortar — they remind us why we do what we do. This NHS-funded bungalow renovation was one of those.
Tasked with transforming a tired property into a safe, self-contained home for someone transitioning into supported living, we knew the impact would stretch far beyond the build itself. Working alongside care professionals, we approached the job not just as contractors, but as partners in helping someone gain independence and stability.
Over several weeks, the team delivered a full refurbishment with care and precision, including:
Installation of solar panels and PV systems for sustainable, low-cost living
New windows and doors to improve security and energy efficiency
A durable, care-friendly kitchen built to last
Wet room and staff shower room installations with safety at their core
A full heating system upgrade
Hygienic, non-slip flooring throughout
External landscaping and garden clean-up
Refurbishment of an outbuilding for staff use
Extensive electrical work and full redecoration
What might have looked like a typical project on paper became something far more meaningful. This was about creating a home — a space that supports not only its resident but the wider care team around them.
There’s real pride in knowing our work plays a part in someone’s next chapter. Projects like this remind us that in the care sector, good building isn’t just about finish — it’s about purpose.
Refurbishment with Style: A Contemporary Upgrade for a Returning Client
This stylish refurbishment was delivered for one of our returning residential clients — a full bathroom remodel that brought modern design and comfort together seamlessly.
The existing space was stripped back and completely reconfigured to create a bold, functional layout with standout features, including:
A freestanding bath as a new centrepiece
A Crittall-style deflector panel for that sleek, industrial edge
Full overhaul of wall and floor coverings
Upgraded electrical works and ambient lighting
Complete decoration and finishing touches
More than just a refresh, this project was about transforming a dated space into something the client genuinely loves — blending functionality with design-led detail.
North Region Painting Scheme – Lessons in Scale, Detail, and the Human Touch
After nine months on site, countless tins of paint, and more than a few unexpected challenges, we’ve wrapped up a major internal and external painting scheme across the North Region — a large, multi-site programme delivered in the care sector.
On paper, it was straightforward: a defined scope, clearly specified finishes and colours, and an agreed process from prep to handover. But in practice, this project was a powerful reminder that even with a solid spec and experienced teams, you’re always learning in this business.
We worked across multiple live care settings, navigating everything from weather delays and access constraints to last-minute client changes and good old-fashioned human error — the kind you only catch when you’re in the thick of it.
Despite the scale, every detail mattered:
Colour matching in occupied spaces with natural light shifts
Adjusting to existing substrate conditions we couldn’t see until prep
Reprogramming teams around resident schedules and operational hours
Managing finishes and reworks with care, not shortcuts
What really stood out was the collaboration — not just within our teams, but with the site managers, care staff, and residents. Relationships made the difference, and clear communication turned setbacks into solutions.
This wasn’t just a paint job. It was a lesson in coordination, resilience, and respect for the environments we work in — especially in the care sector, where disruption must be kept to an absolute minimum.
We’re proud of how this one turned out — not just for the finish, but for the way we got there.
Restoration with Respect: A Job That Meant More
Some projects leave a lasting impression.
This was one of them.
We were called in after an elderly gentleman accidentally left his bath running, causing the ceiling to collapse in the room below. The damage was extensive — parquet flooring, vintage wallpaper, and handmade cupboards he had built himself were all ruined.
His one request was simple:
“Put it back exactly as it was.”
He didn’t want modern upgrades or new finishes — just a faithful restoration of what he had known and loved.
So that’s exactly what we did.
We sourced reclaimed parquet, reinstated the stippled ceiling, and hunted down near-matching vintage wallpaper, all delivered to BDMA standards.
But this job wasn’t really about materials.
It was about the man behind them.
He was living with dementia — forgetful, sometimes confused, and anxious about strangers in his home.
He didn’t want us letting ourselves in, even with prior permission.
He needed structure, familiarity, and time.
So we adapted.
We knocked every morning so he could open the door himself.
We worked around his routine, not ours.
And we reminded ourselves often: what if this was our dad?
This project required more than skill. It took patience.
It took empathy.
And it took a team that understood that reinstatement isn’t just about restoring rooms — it’s about respecting the people who live in them.
North Region Painting Scheme – Lessons in Scale, Detail, and the Human Touch
After nine months on site, countless tins of paint, and more than a few unexpected challenges, we’ve wrapped up a major internal and external painting scheme across the North Region — a large, multi-site programme delivered in the care sector.
On paper, it was straightforward: a defined scope, clearly specified finishes and colours, and an agreed process from prep to handover. But in practice, this project was a powerful reminder that even with a solid spec and experienced teams, you’re always learning in this business.
We worked across multiple live care settings, navigating everything from weather delays and access constraints to last-minute client changes and good old-fashioned human error — the kind you only catch when you’re in the thick of it.
Despite the scale, every detail mattered:
Colour matching in occupied spaces with natural light shifts
Adjusting to existing substrate conditions we couldn’t see until prep
Reprogramming teams around resident schedules and operational hours
Managing finishes and reworks with care, not shortcuts
What really stood out was the collaboration — not just within our teams, but with the site managers, care staff, and residents. Relationships made the difference, and clear communication turned setbacks into solutions.
This wasn’t just a paint job. It was a lesson in coordination, resilience, and respect for the environments we work in — especially in the care sector, where disruption must be kept to an absolute minimum.
We’re proud of how this one turned out — not just for the finish, but for the way we got there.
Restoration with Respect: A Job That Meant More
Some projects leave a lasting impression.
This was one of them.
We were called in after an elderly gentleman accidentally left his bath running, causing the ceiling to collapse in the room below. The damage was extensive — parquet flooring, vintage wallpaper, and handmade cupboards he had built himself were all ruined.
His one request was simple:
“Put it back exactly as it was.”
He didn’t want modern upgrades or new finishes — just a faithful restoration of what he had known and loved.
So that’s exactly what we did.
We sourced reclaimed parquet, reinstated the stippled ceiling, and hunted down near-matching vintage wallpaper, all delivered to BDMA standards.
But this job wasn’t really about materials.
It was about the man behind them.
He was living with dementia — forgetful, sometimes confused, and anxious about strangers in his home.
He didn’t want us letting ourselves in, even with prior permission.
He needed structure, familiarity, and time.
So we adapted.
We knocked every morning so he could open the door himself.
We worked around his routine, not ours.
And we reminded ourselves often: what if this was our dad?
This project required more than skill. It took patience.
It took empathy.
And it took a team that understood that reinstatement isn’t just about restoring rooms — it’s about respecting the people who live in them.
North Region Painting Scheme – Lessons in Scale, Detail, and the Human Touch
After nine months on site, countless tins of paint, and more than a few unexpected challenges, we’ve wrapped up a major internal and external painting scheme across the North Region — a large, multi-site programme delivered in the care sector.
On paper, it was straightforward: a defined scope, clearly specified finishes and colours, and an agreed process from prep to handover. But in practice, this project was a powerful reminder that even with a solid spec and experienced teams, you’re always learning in this business.
We worked across multiple live care settings, navigating everything from weather delays and access constraints to last-minute client changes and good old-fashioned human error — the kind you only catch when you’re in the thick of it.
Despite the scale, every detail mattered:
Colour matching in occupied spaces with natural light shifts
Adjusting to existing substrate conditions we couldn’t see until prep
Reprogramming teams around resident schedules and operational hours
Managing finishes and reworks with care, not shortcuts
What really stood out was the collaboration — not just within our teams, but with the site managers, care staff, and residents. Relationships made the difference, and clear communication turned setbacks into solutions.
This wasn’t just a paint job. It was a lesson in coordination, resilience, and respect for the environments we work in — especially in the care sector, where disruption must be kept to an absolute minimum.
We’re proud of how this one turned out — not just for the finish, but for the way we got there.
Restoration with Respect: A Job That Meant More
Some projects leave a lasting impression.
This was one of them.
We were called in after an elderly gentleman accidentally left his bath running, causing the ceiling to collapse in the room below. The damage was extensive — parquet flooring, vintage wallpaper, and handmade cupboards he had built himself were all ruined.
His one request was simple:
“Put it back exactly as it was.”
He didn’t want modern upgrades or new finishes — just a faithful restoration of what he had known and loved.
So that’s exactly what we did.
We sourced reclaimed parquet, reinstated the stippled ceiling, and hunted down near-matching vintage wallpaper, all delivered to BDMA standards.
But this job wasn’t really about materials.
It was about the man behind them.
He was living with dementia — forgetful, sometimes confused, and anxious about strangers in his home.
He didn’t want us letting ourselves in, even with prior permission.
He needed structure, familiarity, and time.
So we adapted.
We knocked every morning so he could open the door himself.
We worked around his routine, not ours.
And we reminded ourselves often: what if this was our dad?
This project required more than skill. It took patience.
It took empathy.
And it took a team that understood that reinstatement isn’t just about restoring rooms — it’s about respecting the people who live in them.