Job Description

Project Manager - High-End Residential Renovations & Extensions

Build by Sets

| Full-time | Somerset/Dorset/Wiltshire | 45-60k depending on experience

The reality of what we do

We renovate and extend characterful homes - often Listed buildings - across the South West, adding contemporary interventions that respect the original whilst meeting modern expectations. Projects range from 200k to 2m.

We'll give you our clients' phone numbers.

Not selectively edited testimonials - actual conversations with people who've lived through our projects. Most builders would never do this. We do it because our clients actually recommend us unprompted, and many have come back for second projects.

That doesn't happen by accident in construction. It happens because people have a genuinely positive experience, not just an acceptable end result.

How we actually operate

Most construction firms optimise for profit margin. We optimise for being recommended. That's not a tagline - it's how we make decisions, and it directly affects your role as PM.

When work isn't right, we fix it - even if it's technically "to spec." If we've misinterpreted a detail, built exactly what the architect drew but it doesn't work in reality, or a client legitimately isn't happy with the standard, we put it right at our cost.

This isn't about being pushovers. It's about case-by-case judgement. If the architect under-specified and we delivered exactly what was asked, that's a different conversation. If a subcontractor's work is acceptable but not excellent, we'll likely eat the cost to redo it. You'll need to navigate these situations with us - there's no rulebook, just principles and common sense.

Why this matters for you

Most PMs spend their time managing conflict - fighting with clients over variations, defending mediocre work, dealing with subcontractors who don't care. You'll still deal with problems (it's construction), but you won't be constantly in adversarial mode.

We actively curate our subcontractor list - keeping the good ones close and dropping those who don't share our standards. Your job is managing skilled people who want to do good work, not babysitting cowboys.

Your clients will actually be pleased to see you, because you're solving their problems rather than creating them.

The job itself

You'll manage 3-5 concurrent projects across Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire - Listed building renovations, contemporary extensions, full refurbishments. This means:

Daily site presence

across multiple projects - you'll cover ground

Being the single point of contact

for clients, architects, conservation officers, and specialist trades

Making judgement calls

on quality and client concerns - we trust you to know when something needs addressing

Managing tight, complex sites

- Listed buildings, access issues, unexpected discoveries when you open up old buildings

Coordinating specialist subcontractors

who actually know what they're doing (and expecting the same from you)

Realistic scheduling and budgeting

- we don't underbid to win work then make your life hell

Problem-solving in real-time

- if you just escalate everything, this won't work

You need to have

3-5+ years managing residential renovations/extensions

- ideally characterful buildings, Listed experience is valuable

Genuine understanding of traditional construction

and how to marry it with contemporary work

Ability to read and challenge architectural drawings

- architects aren't infallible, especially with Listed buildings

Comfort dealing with conservation officers

and planning constraints

Thick skin and good judgement

- you'll need to have difficult conversations with subcontractors about redoing work, and with clients about what's reasonable vs. what's scope creep

Clean driving licence

- you'll be mobile across three counties

SMSTS or willingness to obtain it

You'll stand out if you

Have managed Listed building projects or dealt with Building Conservation Understand lime plaster, timber frame repairs, or traditional roofing (the unglamorous stuff that matters) Can explain complex building issues to clients without patronising them Have experience with contemporary additions to period buildings Have relationships with reliable specialist trades in the region Actually enjoy the problem-solving and don't just want easy projects

What we offer

45-60k

depending on experience Subsidised travel 25 days holiday + bank holidays Autonomy to make decisions - we hire adults

Client relationships that don't turn toxic

- we'll put you in touch with past clients if you want to hear what working with us is actually like Projects you'll be proud to show people Subcontractors who don't make you want to quit the industry A company that backs your quality-first decisions Small, focused team - your voice matters

What we don't offer

Unrealistic timelines to win bids Pressure to defend substandard work Corporate bureaucracy High volume, low margin work where quality is negotiable A desk job - you'll be on sites daily

The tradeoffs

This approach requires more from you than typical PM roles. You'll need to:

Manage nuanced conversations

- sometimes we redo work at our cost, sometimes we push back on clients or architects. You need good judgement on which is which.

Cover significant geography

- three counties means driving

Work with demanding clients

- people spending 200k-2m on their homes have high expectations, and rightfully so

Care about the details

- if you're a "good enough" person, you'll hate working here

Think long-term

- we're building a reputation, not maximising this quarter's margin

How to apply

Send your CV and briefly tell us:

Your best project

- what made it good and what was your role in making it successful?

A project that went wrong

- what happened and what did you learn?

Why renovations/extensions rather than new build or commercial?

No essays. No corporate speak. Just straight answers.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 45,000.00-60,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 35 - 45 per week

Benefits:

Company events Flexitime Free or subsidised travel Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bruton BA10 0AA