Client Profile
Norfolk Botanical Garden is a staple within the Norfolk community. Their gazebo in particular is a place for the community to gather–countless weddings, family reunions, and events have been hosted in the gazebo over the years.
The Challenge
While all those gazebo events created memories, they also produced wear and tear on the outdoor structure. By 2022, over 40 wood bases had rotted out. If Norfolk Botanical Garden didn’t find a contractor who could fix structural errors and assess the damage to the rotting wood, the gazebo wouldn’t be of use for much longer.
Searching for a Contractor
Norfolk Botanical Garden wanted to partner with a strategic and thoughtful contractor on the project. They needed someone who could give an honest assessment of the damage and fix the structure so the updated gazebo would last for years to come. Carlton Building Service stood out thanks to our construction insight, ability to consult with an expert structural engineer, and our past work in the Norfolk community.
Assessing the Damage
From our first assessment, our team could tell the gazebo needed serious repairs. Over 40 wooden bases were rotted out, meaning we had to pull them apart, assess them, and put the gazebo back together. Since the rotted wood had led to structural errors in the building, we also brought a structural engineer onto the project. Whenever we found something that had deteriorated, the structural engineer provided documentation that something was wrong, an important step which made sure Norfolk Botanical Garden followed local laws–without the client having to lift a finger!
Putting it Back Together Again
Once our team and the structural engineer assessed the damage and we pulled apart any rotting wood, it was time to put the gazebo back together again. All of the posts, railings, and facia board had to be repaired. We also repaired numerous trim pieces and restained the gazebo with two coats. As we made the repairs, our team didn’t just bring the gazebo back to working condition–we improved it so it would last even longer than the previous version.
In the Off-Season
Since the gazebo is such a popular location, we wanted to be cognizant of how our renovations impacted the local community. During the on-season, they also host weddings and events in the gazebo, making it a critical part of their business which needed to stand for years to come. To minimize disruption, we worked in the off season–and met the deadline on the project so the new and improved gazebo was ready for use by spring and summer.
Looking for a team who can repair your structure and help you the build future of your business and community? Contact Carlton Building Services about your commercial construction project.
