The Retrofit Company

The Retrofit Company: whole-building energy retrofit in Devon and Cornwall

The Retrofit Company is a whole-building energy retrofit and eco-renovation company operating in Devon and Cornwall. Its work focuses on improving the energy efficiency of homes and commercial premises through the planning, design and delivery of projects that combine insulation, ventilation, heating and windows. The company presents itself as a local main contractor working with a network of trusted installers and offering a turnkey service.

Insulation and building fabric services

Insulation is one of the pillars of its offering. The company designs and installs external wall, internal wall, cavity wall, roof, ceiling, floor and sloping ceiling insulation systems. For traditional solid stone homes typical of Devon and Cornwall, it uses carefully specified breathable systems; for more modern buildings, it uses high-performance PIR-based materials. The aim is to retain heat, avoid thermal bridges and improve comfort all year round.

Ventilation, heating and renewables

The company installs mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and decentralised mechanical extract systems, which keep the air fresh and prevent condensation and damp in well-insulated homes. In heating, it offers air-to-water, ground source and air-to-air heat pumps, sized for each home and for the other measures installed. It also designs and installs solar PV systems with battery storage, both roof-mounted and integrated into the roof or ground-mounted, to reduce reliance on the grid.

Windows and doors, smart controls and electric mobility

The company improves the building envelope with double and triple glazed windows and doors, secondary glazing solutions for historic buildings and draught-proofing work. It also installs electric vehicle charging points, which it can integrate with solar and battery systems, and smart heating controls and energy monitoring systems.

Whole-house approach and collaboration with Dartmoor Energy

The company advocates a whole-building approach, in which insulation, ventilation, heating and glazing are planned together to prevent one measure from undermining another. To this end, it works with its sister company Dartmoor Energy, which handles the home energy assessment, design and planning applications, while The Retrofit Company carries out the work on site. The company offers a single point of contact throughout the project, from the first survey to final handover.

Projects and experience

According to data published on its website, the company has completed 42 projects, installed 176 systems and has 25 years of accumulated team experience, as well as a network of 14 local contractors. Projects cited include the deep retrofit of an exposed historic home on Dartmoor and a £3 million programme to retrofit more than 200 homes in Plymouth. The company works with both private homeowners and businesses and local authorities, and offers solutions for PAS2030/PAS2035 projects.

Leadership team

The team is led by Dan Kelly and Max Roper, directors and project managers, and by Jack Lawrence, lead operative specialising in carpentry, construction and air tightness. The company describes itself as local, ethical and quality-focused, and states that much of its work comes from recommendations and repeat clients in Devon and Cornwall.

Location and contact

The Granary, Beeching Park, Kelly Bray, Cornwall, PL17 8QS · Phone: 01822 661668 · Email: info@theretrofitcompany.co.uk