Construction • Extensions • Specialist Joinery

Construction and carpentry services in South Devon – from structural work to high-end finishes.

Effective Design Construction & Carpentry Services

At Effective Design, we are a trusted construction company in South Devon, delivering high-quality building services backed by over 20 years of hands-on experience. Led by Florian Bailhache, we specialise in house extensions, loft conversions, renovations and structural building work, alongside premium bespoke joinery tailored to each project.

As experienced builders in Ashburton and across South Devon, we provide a complete service from initial planning through to final completion. Our work includes home extensions, property refurbishments, loft conversions and full renovation projects, all delivered to meet current building regulations and the highest standards of workmanship.

What sets Effective Design apart is our ability to combine reliable construction expertise with high-end finishing. From structural builds to detailed interior joinery, every project is carefully managed to ensure durability, functionality and a high-quality result that adds long-term value to your property.

Based in Ashburton, we work with homeowners and businesses throughout Devon, including Totnes, Newton Abbot and the surrounding areas, providing dependable building services and clear communication at every stage.

If you are looking for a construction company in Devon you can trust for extensions, renovations or building projects, Effective Design delivers professional results with a personal approach.

Building & Construction

House Extensions

Whether you need a bigger kitchen, an extra bedroom or a bright new living space, a well-designed extension can transform how your home works. We build rear, side and kitchen extensions, managing every stage from foundations and structure through to the final finishes. Each extension is built to current building regulations and designed to sit naturally with your existing home.

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Modern timber-clad house extension with glazed link

Loft Conversions

Make the most of the space above your head. From Velux and dormer lofts to hip-to-gable and mansard conversions, we design and build loft conversions that add a bedroom, bathroom or home office without the need to move. Every loft is tailored to your home and budget, and built to meet building regulations from the first joist to the finishing joinery.

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Bright loft conversion bedroom with dormer window

Renovations & Refurbishments

From updating a tired room to the full renovation of a period property, we take on structural alterations, knock-throughs, new layouts and complete refurbishments. We manage the work from strip-out to handover, keeping you informed at every stage. With a joiner’s eye for detail, we give the finish as much care as the structure, so your home is built to last and a pleasure to live in.

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Structural renovation with steel props supporting a knock-through

Bespoke Joinery

Bespoke Bedroom Furniture

From fitted wardrobes to dressing tables and under-eaves storage, every bedroom commission is designed around your space. Most work is created directly on site, ensuring a perfect fit, while selected pieces are finished in the workshop and installed with care. The result is furniture that feels fully part of your home: practical, balanced, and beautifully made.

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Fitted bedroom storage furniture, crafted for a client in Devon.

Bespoke Kitchen Furniture

A kitchen should be both hardworking and welcoming. Whether it’s a freestanding island, custom cabinets, or fitted units to complete your scheme, each piece is tailored to the character of the room. Built and installed with precision, Florian’s approach blends functionality with craft, creating kitchens that stand up to daily use while feeling timeless and individual.

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Fitted kitchen installation for a client in Clifton Village, Bristol

Bespoke Cabinets

Media units, alcove shelving, drinks cabinets or display cases – each project begins with the space itself. Florian designs and builds storage that makes sense of your rooms while adding a crafted finish. Often constructed directly in situ, these cabinets feel integrated rather than added on, turning awkward corners or empty walls into places of purpose and character.

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Bespoke boot storage cabinets made and fitted for a client in Ashburton, Devon.

Bespoke Garden Rooms, Garden Offices & Storage

From quiet garden offices to generous outdoor storage, these timber structures are designed for year-round use. Fully insulated and carefully proportioned, they’re built to sit comfortably in their surroundings while giving you valuable extra space. Our creations are made with durable materials and thoughtful detailing, so the finished building feels like a natural extension of your property.

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A “Shepherd’s Hut” style garden office created for a client in Ashburton, Devon.

Site Carpentry

Floors, walls, roofs, doors, skirting and architraves - Florian provides skilled first-fix and second-fix carpentry for renovation and new-build projects alike. With more than two decades’ experience, his work balances efficiency with attention to detail, ensuring a solid foundation and a refined finish. All site carpentry is carried out on location, with the same care given to every stage.

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How We Work With You

Every project begins with a conversation. We take time to understand your needs, your space, and the way you want to live or work within it. From there, Florian develops a considered design that balances functionality with character.

Collaboration is central to our process. Ideas are refined together until you’re completely happy with the plan. Once approved, the design is brought to life through skilled making and careful installation, either on site or with select elements crafted in the workshop. The result is a piece of work that feels entirely your own: thoughtful, practical, and built to last.

Florian Bailhache,
Founder, Effective Design

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Client Testimonials

"We were very happy with Florian's craftsmanship and attention to detail. He sourced some attractive reclaimed timber for our project and was attentive to our needs in the design, build and completion phases."

5 Star Google review from The Devon School for Embodied Therapy
"Florian's carpentry and repair skills are ace. He is very professional, tidy, respectful, punctual and a great guy to have around. Thank you."

5 Star Google review from Claire Parker