What clients say about us...

Here you'll find well over 40 recommendations from clients it has been a pleasure to have served.

Scroll down to read more...

Vikki Lacey Bexhill 14/09/2018I have 28 sash windows and was toying with the idea of have UPVC replacements but when I received ridiculous quotes and more importantly found out I would have lost a lot of the detail in the windows (my front windows are arched at the top) I went with my heart and decided to keep the originals despite everyone saying I was mad.I contacted Jim, who was very quick at getting back and coming to my property for a survey, I was still a little reluctant when he couldn't give an exact price for each window and only giving me a ball park figure. This is because each window will require different work depending on its condition. Jim offered to complete one window before I committed to the whole project and I was impressed. He even sends you a video the process of refurbishing your window. The craftsmanship of Jim's work is second to none. When he claims that you can open and close one of his refurbished windows with one finger, it's absolutely true. You can tell from talking with Jim that he has a true passion for his work and he is extremely clean and tidy on site. Needless to say I am over the moon with my windows that are now as good as they day they were installed over 100 years ago!!!! Thank you

Diane & Didier, nr Lewes,05/09/ 2018It’s really no exaggeration to say that Jim and his sidekick Serge are like restoration superheroes to us! When we bought our dream cottage it came with a built-in nightmare – it was absolutely riddled with rotten timber. Fixing it felt like a hugely daunting task and we’d been scratching our heads for weeks wondering where and how to start before we found Jim online by chance. He was immediately reassuring, totally ‘got’ what we were trying to achieve with our restoration and as soon as he and Serge started work we knew we’d chosen exactly the right team to help us bring our poor crumbling cottageback to life. First, they built an amazing wooden scaffold to access the upper dormer windows (saving us significant costs on conventional scaffolding).Then, efficiently, meticulously worked round the house, sensitively repairing and restoring the dormers, sashes and weatherboarding and even reconstructing and re-glazing a 1930s round window, as well as fixingnumerous other tricky carpentry conundrums along the way. They were also great to have around, always smiling and full of enthusiasm. It’s fair to say they didn’t just transform our cottage, they transformed us too - from worried novice house restorers to happy new homeowners. We can’t recommend them enough. Thanks chaps!

Karen, Battle29/07/18After having several quotes for the windows on my listed house and being let down by uninterested or unwilling carpenters, we found Jim. Where other carpenters and window companies were adamant the windows, sills and frames were beyond repair Jim explained how he would go about repairing and restoring all my windows bringing them back to a pristine, working order. He explained, with great pride, these windows don’t need replacing with something which would not only look out of place on my 17th century house but would be expensive and unnecessary. Jim and Serge worked tirelessly, cleanly and with little impact on me or my family. They are immensely proud of the work they do and explain each stage with great compassion and pride. I am extremely happy with the finished work and would highly recommend, not only on the high quality of the work but on the cost, their personalities and trustworthiness. It was a pleasure to have them in my home, often whilst I was at work. The house was immaculate on my return each day. My sash windows are now beautiful again.

Rosie, Bexhill18/07/2018Jim carried out window refurbishment of all the sash and other windows in my ground floor/basement flat in Wilton Road, Bexhill in July 2018. I chose Jim because of all the good reviews on his website and he definitely lived up to the reputation. The work was completed in 2 weeks, He dealt with a lot of unexpected rotten frames and sills and replaced everything to a high standard. I was given daily updates and very good use of WhatsApp software to send video and photos of the work unfolding. The front sash now can be taken down very quickly to get large furniture into the flat. The standard of work and professionalism of Jim and his team was extremely high and I would be very pleased to recommend him to others. His team also fixed other areas of the flat as a bonus including rehanging doors so now they close properly.

Neil Chalmers- Hastings15/07/2018We bought a Regency period house knowing the windows were in poor condition. Little did we know how poor! Luckily we found Jim and his team who soon enlightened us....and then set about fixing each window with care and real quality workmanship. I overheard Jim giving instruction to one of his team and the care and attention to detail was a joy to hear. Restoring windows takes time and not a little cash, but we are delighted with the work that Jim has done and have already and will continue to recommend him to anyone who'll listen!

Pauline Eastbourne 28/08/2017I would like to recommend Jim Sear and his team of craftsmen. Their workmanship is superb, my finished stairs look as if the house was built around them rather than stairs of a later addition, with the added benefit of looking new. Jim and Serge re-built my ropey staircase which appeared to be made of wood and a superior cardboard into a fine looking, wooden set of stairs. Jim kept to budget and he actually underestimated the number of days it took to remodel the steps and used the remaining time, without being asked, to remedy some gaps in the floorboards, which I had had laid eight years earlier by another carpenter. The expert professional craftsmen worked nonstop and cleaned up beautifully every evening, I can't recommend them highly enough.

Michael and Melanie Burwash17/09/2017Jim and his talented team Serge and Mark worked very hard and created a new fitted wardrobe.They raised the sloping floor and made it level, and reconditioned an old sash window in our cottage .As we live on a busy road, Jim also created an inner window. this has helped a great deal with noise and draughts. Thank you very much for all your hard work.

Gary Potter, Hastings13/06/2016Jim and his team have refurbished the sash windows in our flat in Hastings. We found him by seeing the excellent work he was doing next door. We were thinking of changing to plastic - so pleased we didn't. Jim said, "You'll be able to move your windows up and down with one finger when I'm done." We can! He is very personable, he is very skilled, he is extremely thorough, he is the personification of what every individual would ask for when hiring a skilled professional. My wife and I are so pleased with the work he has undertaken in our flat; he is a gem! Furthermore, if you want other wooden items built and fitted he's a safe bet. We're having our new boiler encased by Jim; it's in a sticky location but, after the one look, he's got a plan, a vision and we'll go with it. I think there I'm talking of trust - and we trust Jim!

Robert & Virginia St Leonards17/08/2017Virginia and I just wanted to thank you and your team for the great job you did on our sash windows and patio doors in St Leonards. We were used to draughts and rattling windows in any inclement weather but barely noticed the storm over the last few days. The sound proofing is much improved too, which really cuts down traffic noise. We always try to be as light touch ecologically as possible with the works we do on our house and given that the only alternative to your restorative carpentry was new doors and windows.You very much delivered! Thanks Virginia & Robert

Geoff Hall, Hankham09/08/2018Prior to repainting the exterior woodwork on my house I found three windows in various stages of decay. I knew of Jim by reputation so I called for his help. He restored the windows, even completely rebuilding one, and did a fine job. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jim, a craftsman of the old school, whose skill is almost matched by his love of tea.Geoff Hall. Hankham09/08/2018

Melanie, Burwash 30/7/18 Jim and Serge are very talented, calm, and hard working carpenters. We had two old sash windows reconditioned and a new balustrade designed and fitted in an old uneven challenging hallway . Timekeeping was excellent and communication about each project very good and professional. We are very happy with the results . Melanie Burwash 30/7/18

Graham Whitham Hastings 24/06/2016Jim is a craftsman who did wonderful work on our sash windows. Now they slide up and down with ease, are balanced and draught proof.He and his team were organised, efficient, obliging and pleasant, and what was really pleasing was that Jim so obviously enjoys his work.I couldn't recommend him more highly

Heathfield30/06/18I decided to give my sash window restoration to a local firm and was very pleased I did. Jim and assistant worked solidly on it and it now functions well and looks lovely. I was so pleased with the workmanship and the cost that Jim is coming back to do window number 2 in a couple of weeks and then number 3 in the spring!

Angela & Tony, Hastings17/07/2015We have a seafront flat in Hastings with wooden sash windows, the sashes having been changed to double glazed units.As you can imagine, the windows get battered by the elements and we soon discovered they were not wind and water tight. Both the window installer and another local company failed to resolve the problems, and we began to think there maybe no solution!Then I came across Jim and was impressed by his website and all the excellent reviews, so I gave him a call. On examination of the windows he soon diagnosed the problems and set about rectifying them. His prices were reasonable and he also advised on window furniture which has further enhanced operation and weather resistance. We're thrilled with the outcome and can now truly enjoy our flat whatever the weather!

Fred, Burwash 22/07/2016Dear Jim, it was a pleasure to have you working here and to observe your incredible expertise & professionalism. I am delighted with what you have done and thank you and Mark for the very pleasant week we spent together!If you are ever in the area, please do drop in for a cup of tea or a glass of something stronger!

Clare & Michael, Burwash 26/07/2016Good evening Jim, we just wanted to email to say a massive thank you for the work you carried out at our house. The workmanship was excellent and we couldn't of asked for anyone better to do the job.We will keep in touch to arrange a suitable date for our bedroom window if this is ok? As well as looking into having shutters fitted to the the bedroom one.Once again, many thanks.

Marcel Miller - Meads10/06/2015I bought a flat in Meads where all the old sash windows were in a bad condition due to prior neglect. Jim repaired, renovated and draft proofed them in September 2014. Excellent job very satisfied customer. Would be very happy to act as a reference site.

The craftsmanship of Jim's work is second to none. - September 2018

Sash windows... and will continue to recommend him to anyone who'll listen! — Jul 2018

Fitted wardrobe, raised sloping floor, reconditioned old sash window in Burwash — Sep 17

The great job you did on our sash windows and patio doors in St Leonards. — Sep 2017

Retread a staircase in Eastbourne — Aug 2017

A damsel in distress — Jan 2017

Another set of Burwash sash windows repaired — Jul 2016

Burwash sash windows — Jul 2016

Wonderful work on our sash windows. Hastings. — Jun 2016

I'm talking of trust - and we trust Jim! — Jun 2016

Crowborough sash window stuck fast — May 2016

New Oak front door in Eastbourne — May 2016