Flood & Water Damage Restoration and Reinstatement

Project Overview

The homeowners of this St Heliers property faced an unexpected disaster. While they were away on holiday, a fridge leak occurred and went unnoticed for three weeks. By the time they returned, the bottom level of their double-storey home had suffered severe water damage.

They needed their home restored quickly and safely. Their biggest concern was the time they wanted to move back in as soon as possible. 

Oncore Services was brought in after the insurance team had removed damaged furniture, linings, and walls. Our job was to reinstate the home so it was not only livable again but also improved with modern updates.

The project covered the bottom level of the 273m² property and included reinstating walls, doors, lighting, plumbing, painting, and more.

Design & Planning

Since the insurance company had already managed the initial emergency work, the Oncore team focused on careful planning for the rebuild. The scope of work was clearly outlined with the homeowners at the start.

We knew timing was critical. The clients used their own contractors for the kitchen and flooring, so we worked closely with them to keep everything on track. To avoid confusion, we wrote explicit scopes, gave regular updates, and shared photos at each step. This made sure everyone knew what was happening.

Project Execution

The Oncore team carried out a wide range of reinstatement works across multiple trades:

1. Carpentry: The walls on the lower level were relined, new doors installed, and the kitchen’s rangehood and ducting reinstated. General property maintenance was also completed where needed.
2. ‍Electrical: All existing plug points were reinstated, additional outlets were installed, and kitchen appliances were reconnected. We also supplied and fitted modern feature lighting to brighten the spaces.
3. ‍Plumbing & Gas: New piping was installed, and full fit-outs for the new kitchen were completed.
4. ‍Plastering & Painting: Newly lined walls were plastered smoothly and painted. To refresh the entire property, we extended the painting scope to include both levels of the home.

In addition to reinstatement, the homeowners saw an opportunity to make minor but meaningful upgrades. New feature lighting, updated finishes, and modern fittings gave the home a fresh, contemporary feel.

Challenges Overcome

The main challenge of this project was coordination. Because the clients engaged their own contractors for flooring and cabinetry, scheduling became more complex. Oncore took the lead by maintaining strong communication and documenting progress with photos. This kept accountability clear and allowed all contractors to work smoothly together.

Another challenge was time. The project was planned for 4–6 weeks, but took 8 weeks. By keeping communication clear and adjusting schedules, we reduced delays and still finished the job well.

Client Experience

The homeowners were happy to see their home fixed after the leak. Their biggest worry was moving back in quickly, and the team made sure that happened. 

They liked getting regular updates and felt everything was managed well.

Final Thoughts

This St Heliers project shows how Oncore Services can turn a stressful situation into a smooth and positive outcome. What began as a simple flood reinstatement became an opportunity to modernise and refresh the home.

Through strong project management, clear communication, and skilled workmanship, the home was not only restored but also improved. The clients now have a safe, modern space that feels brighter and more functional than before.

If your home has suffered water damage or needs reinstatement after an unexpected event, the Oncore team is here to help.

“This was a larger project that came with some minor challenges, but we are very pleased with the result and the workmanship of our contractors.” - Gavs Pereira (Project Manager)