Join The British Builder’s Wayne Goodall for a masterclass in the art of restoring history
Founded by Owner Wayne Goodall, a British native from a family of with over 40 years of professional construction experience, The British Builder prides itself on prioritizing time-tested building techniques, drawn from years of experience working on historic properties that have stood for centuries. As a result of its quality over quantity ethos and Wayne’s unparalleled experience, the company has established itself as the partner of choice for structural repairs, restoration, renovation, remodeling, and new construction projects. Wayne provides a comprehensive overview of The British Builder, starting with its evolution over the years.
“The company’s foundation was laid in historic restoration, beginning in London where I purchased and restored a home from the 1700s in my early twenties. Working hands-on with a property of that age taught me invaluable lessons about historic buildings and I found satisfaction in bringing these older properties back to life, preserving their character while making them suitable for modern living,” he begins.
“When I moved to Texas in 2003 with my wife, I was struck by how new everything was. Upon discovering McKinney, Texas’ historic downtown with beautiful old homes in need of restoration, I knew we had found our place and purchased a home there. Leveraging my expertise in homebuilding, I took on renovation projects locally with a team of about ten people whom I trained to meet my standards. Through word of mouth, we rapidly became known for our attention to detail and craftsmanship. Within two years, our renovations were winning awards from McKinney Development Services for Best Historic Renovations. Since our inception in 2005, we have expanded our services throughout Collin County and into Fairview, although around 90 percent of our projects remain in downtown McKinney,” he adds.
Demanding projects
Born and bred in the UK, Wayne explains how he transferred the skills he learned there to the American market. “After spending years in construction in London, I found my true interest lay in the detailed, complex work of older buildings, so I chose to specialize in historic properties and custom residential construction. While the principles of proper building techniques are the same in London and in Texas, each location presents unique challenges. In Texas, for instance, I became an expert in dealing with expansive clay soils, something I rarely encountered in England. Moreover, working on buildings that stood for hundreds of years gave me valuable insights into how structures need to be built to last, regardless of location,” he continues.
Today, The British Builder’s residential work not only encompasses restorations, renovations, and additions to existing homes, but also custom home building and partnered spec projects. “The latter consists in acquiring properties to renovate, enlarge, or occasionally subdivide into smaller buildable lots,” says Wayne. “Across all project types, my focus has always been on restoring, renovating, or building in styles that complement the neighborhood’s existing character. In downtown McKinney, we work with a mix of architectural periods, including Victorian, Craftsman, cottage, ranch, and Arts and Crafts, so each project needs to respect and enhance that historical fabric. Rather than imposing oversized ‘McMansions’ that feel out of place, we create homes that look like they have always been there,” he explains.
While this unique approach has proven successful throughout The British Builder’s history, building homes in an established downtown area brings unique challenges that require extensive planning and expertise. “We regularly navigate complex issues such as existing drainage systems, limited parking, traffic considerations, and historic preservation requirements. Every project involves extra consideration, from excavation logistics to materials delivery, as well as additional city inspections and ongoing communication with officials, particularly when dealing with properties that may have pre-existing non-compliant conditions. Nonetheless, we have built our reputation on successfully handling such demanding projects. The challenge does not just lie in the construction itself but also in carefully orchestrating each phase of work within limited space while respecting neighboring properties and the integrity of the streetscape,” he reveals.
Transforming spaces
Wayne proceeds to mention his favorite projects, which truly highlight the extent of The British Builder’s meticulous work. “All my projects have elements that I am particularly proud of, but some stand out more than others as they showcase our range and attention to detail. One of my favorite kitchens features a custom-built stucco range hood, complemented by an oversized custom Marvin window that floods the room with natural light. The design is completed by two simple but elegant pendant lights, making this project a perfect example of how carefully chosen details can transform a space. Additionally, we recently completed a cottage-style home that presented us with the interesting challenge of preserving a 100-year-old pecan tree on the property. We purposefully set the house back to protect the tree and designed the home to harmonize with an adjacent property from the 1800s, which we had previously restored.
“Another standout is a Southwest-style modern farmhouse, which sits between two other of our homes that are more traditional in design. The interior features a curved staircase accented with custom New Mexico tile and a striking brick wall. Large Marvin entry doors and windows create a seamless connection between inside and out, while the exterior arbor provides a shaded spot ideal for morning coffee. What makes these projects special is not just their individual features but how they each respond to their specific site, respect their surroundings, and reflect their owners’ unique vision all while maintaining the highest quality standards,” he elaborates.
The British Builder’s commitment to historic preservation and delicate craftsmanship has cemented its reputation as the top choice for homeowners in McKinney’s vibrant community.
www.thebritishbuilder.com