Three generations, one legacy of building.
While sorting through some old documents, I came across some material take off schedules and newspaper articles from one of my granddad’s projects — “Wildoaks” in Staines, 1974.
Built by Jack White Enterprises, these were among the first timber-frame homes in the UK. My granddad, Jack White, designed and delivered them — French Provincial in style, with a level of detail and specification that set them apart.
Even in the 1970s, developers were innovating to gain an edge: sauna rooms, sunken baths, even “Roman-style” bathrooms — all in family homes. Vision, craftsmanship, and pride drove every decision.
Those houses sold between £39,000 and £60,000 — a premium then, barely a kitchen today. It shows how much has changed and maybe how much hasn’t.
Now, my son carries that same passion as a bricklayer, continuing a family story that started with innovation and hard work.
From Wildoaks, 1974 to today’s construction sites — the tools may have changed, but the craft remains.
It makes me wonder — with all our tech and progress, has the industry truly evolved as much as it could have?
Construction #BuildingLegacy TimberFrame Craftsmanship