Ashington Hill

Ashington Hill is a RICS regulated Quantity Surveying, Project Management, and Construction Consultancy practice based in Dorset, working with rural landowners, private estates, and countryside property owners across the South of England, including Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, and London. Founded on a combination of Chartered expertise and practical trade experience, the practice supports clients through the full lifecycle of a project, from early feasibility and cost planning through to contract administration, procurement, and final account agreement on site. We are particularly experienced in heritage and rural properties, including listed buildings, barn and outbuilding conversions, estate cottages, high end residential refurbishments, and visitor or hospitality focused developments where careful budgeting, phased delivery, and sensitivity to the character of the asset are all essential. Our approach is deliberately hands on and commercially focused. Clients deal directly with senior members of the team throughout, rather than being passed through layers of management, and we place significant emphasis on early stage planning, honest cost advice, and identifying risk before major commitments are made. For landowners considering a refurbishment, conversion, or new development, early engagement is often the most valuable investment, and we regularly assist clients with feasibility studies, procurement advice, and development options before significant design costs are incurred. We aim to give clients clarity and confidence at every stage, helping them make informed decisions while protecting both the commercial viability and long term integrity of their assets. The practice is led by Chris Lyford MRICS, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor whose background combines professional consultancy experience with practical construction knowledge, and who is currently undertaking membership with the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, reflecting the practice’s growing specialism in heritage and conservation work. Projects we work on typically range from around £500,000 up to several million pounds in construction value, though the right fit is usually determined more by complexity, risk profile, and the level of support a client requires than by budget alone. When a landowner gets in touch for the first time, they can expect a straightforward, informal conversation with no obligation, where we listen carefully to the project vision, ask the right questions, and offer an honest early view of what may be involved before any formal appointment is discussed. Clients are encouraged to make contact early, even before plans are fully formed, as the most useful advice is often the advice given before decisions have already been made.

Ashington Hill is based in Dorset and primarily works across the South of England. We regularly take on projects in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, and Wiltshire, and also work with clients in London. Much of our work is focused on rural, heritage, and high end residential projects, though we also support selected commercial and mixed use developments where our client side approach adds clear value.

When a landowner or estate gets in touch for the first time, the process begins with an informal conversation, with no obligation and no jargon. We take time to understand the client’s vision, the condition and constraints of the existing buildings or land, likely budgets, timescales, and the level of risk involved. From there, we provide an honest early view of what may be involved before any formal appointment is agreed, and we are transparent about fees and scope from the outset. Clients are encouraged to make contact early, even before plans are fully formed, as identifying complexities and shaping the project strategically before significant design costs are committed is often where we add the most value. Our level of involvement is flexible and tailored to where the client is in the process, whether they need support from initial feasibility through to completion on site, or assistance with a specific stage of an existing project.

Ashington Hill is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The practice is led by Chris Lyford MRICS, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a background combining professional consultancy experience and practical trade knowledge, starting as a Joiner. Chris is currently undertaking membership with the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, reflecting the practice’s growing specialism in heritage and conservation projects and supporting a deeper understanding of historic buildings, traditional materials, and the sensitive management of heritage assets.

What sets Ashington Hill apart is the combination of Chartered commercial expertise with genuine practical construction understanding, applied in a way that is deliberately personal and direct. Clients work closely with senior members of the team throughout the project rather than being managed at a distance, and the practice places a strong emphasis on early stage clarity, transparent cost advice, and identifying risk before it becomes expensive. The practice’s growing specialism in heritage and conservation work, underpinned by both RICS regulation and the pursuit of IHBC membership, means we bring a level of sensitivity and technical understanding to listed and historically significant properties that goes beyond standard cost consultancy. We aim to bridge the gap between professional consultancy and real world construction delivery, helping clients protect both the commercial viability and long term integrity of their assets.

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