The SPAB provides a variety of technical services and resources for members and
the general public.
Telephone Technical Enquiries
The Society runs a Technical Advice Line where members of the public are able
to discuss their technical queries in person over the phone with a member of our
technical staff. The line is open from Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 12.30
pm on the following numbers::
Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday - 020 7456 0916
Wednesday - 020 7043 1075
Please note that the SPAB is a small charity with a limited number of staff and
funding and the advice line is manned by only one member of staff on any given
morning. Therefore, opening hours can vary and the line can at times become busy.
Please be patient and keep trying. You may also find the information you need
here on the website or published in one of our publications and we advise that
you explore these routes first (see below for details). We are, unfortunately,
unable to respond to technical enquiries by letter or email.
The Society produces a range of highly regarded advisory publications on subjects
such as the control of damp in old buildings, repointing stone and brick walling,
timber bellframes and the care and repair of old floors. Please visit our
bookshop for a comprehensive list of titles.
Each year the Society runs an extensive programme of courses for building professionals,
homeowners and the interested lay person. Our well-established
weekend course for homeowners is held at various locations across the country whilst our more in-depth six-day
Repair Course offers lectures and visits for professionals, contractors and conservation officers.
We also run one-day
technical courses at venues across the country and half-day
technical afternoons at our London headquarters (all suitable for CPD).
An ongoing series, published here on the website, dealing with frequently asked
technical questions on old buildings.
Change of Use
Guidance when considering a conversion.
An advice leaflet for people thinking of buying an old property.
Technical and philosophical statements on church extensions, masonry paint and
telecommunications installations on churches.