Testimonials
“Nicholls provided an excellent service from start to finish. The project ran on time and to budget and Ian, Jonny, Hannah, Richard and the team provided excellent and detailed project plans and updates throughout. Nothing was too much trouble and all the Nicholls team were polite and tidy. The finish and detail of the end result, particularly in the restoration of the old part of the house is exemplary and we are really pleased with our new home! Nicholls exceeded expectations. The project was large and complex due to the age of the building but the end result is fantastic. We were particularly impressed with their attitude and work ethic – nothing was too much trouble and the whole team were a joy to work with. We would recommend Nicholls for the high quality finish, a really hard working and pleasant team to work with, who genuinely care about the quality of their workmanship.”
Mr & Mrs Lennon
SUSSEX HERITAGE TRUST AWARD 2021 WINNER
“Nicholls undertook a total restoration of our Grade II listed property including a new build extension. Mutual trust was established from our first meeting, and ‘Wow!’ did they deliver, exceeding all expectations to give us a beautiful home. The 18-month project has been an enjoyable journey working with an engaging and personable team of professionals, albeit supplemented with lemon drizzle cake!
The quality of workmanship was exemplary with each individual taking a professional and personal pride in their contribution. Refurbishing a 16th century house throws up the unexpected. These challenges demonstrated the knowledge and experience within Nicholls and, equally important the empathy, to retain and restore the character of the building. This extended to the construction of our linked extension where modern building techniques prevailed with eco-credentials. Communication throughout their company is impressive, supported by a backroom team who “oil the wheels” to make it happen.
Thanks to Richard and his team we have a 16th century home linking to a 21st century extension sitting in perfect harmony.”
Mr D. Price & Dr. C. Houlton
sussex heritage trust award winner 2019
“Our project with Nicholls was the demolition of an existing house and a replacement house built in a coastal location. We had never done this before, but right from our first meeting with Richard we could tell that Nicholls pride themselves on excellent quality work and Richard has an admirable can do attitude that means any new concept is of great interest to them and in fact they enjoy working through new challenges. We felt confident they were the right people to fulfill the project and that has proved very much so to be the case.
Nicholls Boreholes expertise was much appreciated as we have a ground source heat pump. Renewable energy technology was important to us, e.g. solar slates and battery storage were included. Home automation technology was used throughout. From a build perspective the coastal location had certain requirements and this was always brought to our attention. Our other main requirement was accessibility, our lift is Nicholls first and they were really proactive in their concern that accessibility should always be at the forefront of the build.
The Nicholls team both on site and in the office were without exception polite, helpful and professional. This attitude in addition to their pride in craftsmanship and attention to detail meant that we maintained an excellent relationship with them even at the end of the build. Snagging has been a lot better than our previous experiences with national house builders. We would happily recommend Nicholls.”
SUSSEX HERITAGE TRUST HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD 2019
“Nicholls did a big refurbishment of my part of a Grade II listed Georgian gothic mansion – including ground source heating work in the garden, underfloor heating inside, all new plumbing, lighting and electrics, remodelling the kitchen, new bathrooms, a few repairs to the roof and of course redecorating the whole inside. They did a really great job, diligent, intelligent and high quality work. I enjoyed working with them throughout, and we finished below the cost estimate. I am very happy to recommend them.”
Mr & Mrs Williams
SUSSEX HERITAGE TRUST AWARD WINNER 2017
“We went with our gut instinct to appoint Nicholls on our large and daunting barn conversion project. I am so glad we did. From the outset they were professional, helpful and accommodating. Richard and Tom were prepared to consider all aspects of our requirements and niggling foibles, and most importantly, we broadly came in on budget with no hidden surprises. I thoroughly enjoyed working with them all as they were polite, considerate and nothing was too much trouble. Communication was great throughout the project; any problems were dealt with immediately. Furthermore they have created a beautiful home for us and at the end of a long build we are still friends! What more can one ask for?”
Mrs E Hardie
SUSSEX HERITAGE TRUST AWARD 2021 WINNER
“Nicholls recently renovated two outbuildings (formerly the coach house and stables) into a workshop for my husband and a studio for me. In short, the finished result is way beyond our wildest expectations. Their combination of vision, knowledge and experience, craftsmanship and attention to detail has helped us to transform two dark and forgotten little buildings into a truly breathtaking space. It is their ability to retain and restore the intrinsic character and structure of the building, whilst blending it seamlessly with the most contemporary elements of construction and design, that has enabled them to breathe life back into these old buildings.
They are quite simply the best building company we have ever met and I can’t recommend them more highly.”
Mrs J Stockil
“The service provided by Nicholls was very good, completed on time and within budget – we were absolutely delighted. The workmanship and quality was to a very high standard and very importantly everything was achieved and completed with good humour and plenty of smiles. The Nicholls team more than met our expectations and we recommend them continually because of the quality of the workmanship and the professionalism with which it was delivered.”
Mr & Mrs J Wakeley
Sussex Heritage Trust Award Winner 2016
“Being employed to build an architect’s own home is a tough challenge for a builder. The architecture and design of Stones was our labour of love and we had very high expectations of the build to realise its construction. Added to this, the fact that James has completed in excess of 60 new build homes in the past and the fact that we had not worked with this contractor in the past, the build of our new home was a tall order for the Nicholls Countryside team. Despite this challenge we were extremely impressed with the outcome. Richard and his team were a delight to work with, polite, efficient and above all they had a happy can-do attitude. It was thoroughly refreshing to work with such a collaborative team of builders and craftsmen. When issues arose, and they always do with private houses, Richard dealt with the tasks with patience and an eternally positive attitude. We hope the Nicholls team enjoyed building our home as much as we did.”
Ms Jo Scott
SUSSEX HERITAGE TRUST HIGHLY COMMENDED 2015
“We used Nicholls for a fairly complex project involving some landscaping and a number of new outbuildings, some of which were quite challenging. The quality of workmanship was outstanding, and we are thrilled with the result. Moreover, the level of service was superb. Both Richard Nicholls and Jonny Gowing (who ran the project) were a delight to deal with. They were proactive in anticipating potential issues and constructive in finding solutions. This friendly, can do attitude was replicated throughout the organisation, including both the team onsite and the office staff. As a result, a project which could have been quite stressful was actually very enjoyable. I’d be very surprised if anyone using Nicholls ended regretting it.”
Mr & Mrs B Weiner
“What could have been a stressful 18 months of building works and upheaval, was in fact a painless, smooth-running pleasure, thanks to Nicholls Countryside Construction and their team of trustworthy tradesmen, delivered quality at every stage. Nothing was ever too much trouble. They combine the highest possible standard of traditional craftsmanship with a very positive can-do attitude and excellent communication. Equally important for ‘client sanity’, there were good relations on-site with all parties. Nicholls can provide high standard building work, with low level stress, at a competitive price. They managed all this with every member of their skilled team remaining friendly, helpful and professional throughout. It goes to say, we highly recommend them and would unquestionably use them again in the future.”
Mr & Mrs C Wates
“What made Nicholls exceptional and a pleasure to work with was their sheer enthusiasm and engagement in the project, taking appropriate time and care to understand the requirements and keeping our best interests at heart while making any recommendations. Every step and detail of the work was openly discussed, no corners cut, and no issue, whether big or small, laid to rest until we reached a solution that we could happily live with. We are extremely pleased with the resulting home and couldn’t imagine it any other way and are happy to recommend Richard and his team to others who are looking for a high level of service and craftsmanship. In fact we didn’t hesitate to employ Nicholls on another project, of a completely different character, that will create a modern, green- roofed pool building connected to the house.”
Mr & Mrs K Tokarczyk
sUSSEX HERITAGE TRUST AWARD WINNER 2013
“I am delighted to recommend Nicholls Countryside Construction Ltd. In my view they are an excellent firm and work to a very high standard. The workmanship on my house was of the highest possible standard and I could not have been more pleased.”
Mr D Wates
“We used Nicholls Countryside for three consecutive projects over twelve months – a boat shed, annex renovation and a complete renovation and redesign of our house and all I can say is it was brilliant to find a building company with exacting standards and a real eye for quality. The Nicholls team and the contractors they used were all professional, friendly and had real pride in their work ensuring the end result was truly excellent. I wouldn’t hesitate in using the Nicholls team again.”
Mr A Speers
“Nicholls countryside provided an excellent building, landscaping and project management service. Nothing was too much trouble, all ideas fully considered and problems overcome wherever possible. We worked with them for over a year, living on site throughout, all the staff were polite, friendly and approachable and I would absolutely recommend them to everyone. We are delighted with the end result”.
Mrs S Speers
“Nicholls was responsible for managing the construction process; including a wide range of tasks from a new build garage; integrating with specialist suppliers and reshaping the landscape. All against a tight timescale that had to be, Nicholls achieved this, despite some difficult conditions. The quality of the work done is first class: from the initial construction dealing with concrete, steel and block through to the final finishes. Nicholls’ always went that extra mile on all fronts ensuring consistent quality and bending over backwards to understand and meet our requirements. So we’d unhesitatingly recommend Nicholls and of course we’d use them again if the opportunity arises.”
Mr P Little
“Our house was demolished and a new home built on the site. From the outset, all the Nicholls team were extremely helpful. All through the demolition and building stages, they were committed, courteous and endlessly good-natured. People in the village have commented on how considerate the building team was, and how they always seemed to work with a smile. Neighbours have told us how impressed they were that the work continued at the same speed even in the coldest of weather. Nicholls exceeded our expectations. We knew they would do a good job, but the results were even better than we could have hoped. Along with the architect, recommended by Nicholls, they interpreted our thoughts and ideas, and made them work. We would recommend Nicholls without a second thought, because we have exactly the house we wanted, and this was achieved with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of skill and effort.”
Mr S Guthrie
“This was the second time we have used Nicholls Countryside Construction for a large project and the service was as professional and as efficient as the first time. The workmanship was excellent and in certain areas outstanding. The skill and dedication of all those working on the project was remarkable. Furthermore there was a constant willingness to accommodate our plans and manage and direct our uncertainties. The project manager kept us constantly informed of all developments and was always ready to go the extra mile to make our lives easier whilst the building work was progressing. There is harmony and humour among the Nicholls team and a pride in the work they do – this alone takes the stress out of months of building work in often inclement conditions. The finished product is testimony to their workmanship – it is of a very high standard.”