Here is an example of the type of repairs that I can carry out for you. The dovecote had fallen of its pole and been extensively damaged around the base.

On initial inspection the dovecote itself appeared to be well made, but whoever made it did not foresee that it would ever need to be taken apart, and the main method of assembly was by nails.

The body and roof were made as a single assembly. Fortunately the roof part was not damaged in the dovecotes fall from grace. The main damage was confined to sections of the lower T&G panels being snapped off when it hit the ground, plus an amount of wood rot.

As the lower part of the roof is firmly attached to the upper hexagon of the main body I decided to remove all the body parts located below the roof.

The first job was to set up the dovecote in a position where it could be worked on without damaging the roof and I decided to invert the dovecote so it sat upside down in an old large plastic garden tub.

My plan was to dismantle the lower body completely and then make the roof a separate bolt on feature.

Due to the plentiful use of nails, and wood filler, during the construction process it was virtually impossible to remove any of the original T&G panels without damaging them. I therefore decided to renew all the outer T&G paneling.

The inner barrel body (which forms the framework of the dovecote), was completely dismantled as Towie wanted me to modify it so that it 'slips' over the top of a pole, rather than 'sits' on top of it. This in itself required a change to the "Hexagons" that support the main body.

Previously this dovecote had been an ornamental feature but as Towie had decided to keep doves in it I decided to convert it so that is had removable panels to make future cleaning easier.

Dismantling revealed that there were 6 hidden screws that were located behind the T&G paneling. They simply went through the top hexagon of the barrel, at an angle, and into the hexagon at the base of the roof. Our 'Unknown Carpenter' certainly didn't want it to come apart easily.

Once the roof was removed I modified it to be a bolt on item. To enable hand access to the inner roof area (which enabled me to fit 2 x captive bolts), I cut two round holes in the hexagon base of the roof. The photo should be self explanatory.

The inner hexagon (shown upside down), following   repairs.

The barrel body had a rotted lower floor and that was replaced whilst at the same time I made a hole in the centre hexagon (for the pole to pass through), and fitted a pole locating collar below the top hexagon.

The next job was to fit the compartment dividers. 3 of which were rotten beyond repair and had to be replaced.

The finished body. Note the reinforcing blocks (at the base) for the panelling.

Once the barrel body was repaired I varnished the new parts and then fitted the new outer T&G paneling.

The finished dovecote.

The finished dovecote all ready for Towie to paint.

Notes.

1. 3 x removable panels are fitted, each of which gives access to 2 x compartments.

2. The pop-holes are the original shape but I have made them smaller as cleaning out is carried out by removing the panels, and not (as previously), through the pop-hole.

3. I have reproduced the original scalloping / crenulations pattern at the bottom of the dovecote.

Apart from the fitment of removable panels, and a pole that goes up through the centre of the dovecote, the dovecote retains its original identity. 

Material Cost:
- Redwood T&G boarding = £47.89
- Redwood Batten = £3.56
- Assorted screws = £3.50
- 6 x Thumbscrews = £4.50
- Sundries = £3.35

Total = £62.80

The total labour time spent repairing Towie’s dovecote was 18 hours. For a job like this I would normally complete it within a week.

My labour charge is variable and starts from as low as £3 per hour; (it depends on how much the job interests me!). In any event my labour charge will always be well below the minimum wage as I am now retired and look upon time in my workshop as a self funding hobby rather than work. 

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