Phil Markides isn’t a contractor who picked up a trade certificate and started a website. He’s spent 20 years doing this work — learning the craft from the ground up, working on hundreds of chimneys, fireplaces and stone projects across Wiltshire and the surrounding area. The business grew from reputation, not advertising. When you book Andromeda, you’re booking a tradesman who genuinely cares how the job turns out.
Phil Markides — Master Craftsman
Phil’s background spans chimney sweeping and maintenance, fireplace and stove installation, stone masonry, and a wide range of home improvement and bespoke building work. He started in the trade in his early twenties and has been at it ever since — not as a manager, but as the person who actually turns up, picks up the tools and does the job.
That matters more than it might sound. When you speak to Phil, you’re speaking to the person who will be in your home. He’ll assess the job properly, give you a straight answer on what it needs, and deliver the work to the standard he’d want on his own property. He takes pride in his work in a way that’s increasingly rare — the kind of craftsman who’ll redo something that doesn’t look quite right, even if the customer hasn’t noticed.
He’s particularly in demand for period and older properties — Cotswold stone cottages, Victorian terraces, farmhouses and rural homes where the standard builder either won’t touch the work or doesn’t understand the materials. Phil knows traditional construction and approaches it with the respect it deserves.
A Family Business
Andromeda is a genuine family business. Phil is joined by Angela, who handles bookings, enquiries and everything that keeps the operation running smoothly. Between them, you get a business that’s efficient, responsive and personal in the way that only a small operation can be.
There are no sub-contractors, no franchise operatives sent in Phil’s place. When you book a job with Andromeda, Phil is the one who comes. That consistency matters — particularly for ongoing work like annual chimney sweeps, where having the same tradesman year after year means faults and changes are spotted early and your chimney’s history is properly understood.
Based in Lower Westwood, Covering the Region
The business is based in Lower Westwood near Bradford-on-Avon — a good central base for serving customers across Wiltshire, Somerset and the greater Bath and Bristol area. Regular areas of work include Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, Bristol, Trowbridge, Frome, Warminster, Devizes, Corsham and beyond. See the full coverage area.
What We Stand For
- Proper workmanship — jobs done right, with the finish to show for it
- Honest advice — you’ll hear what your home actually needs, not a sales pitch
- Reliability — we turn up when we say we will and do what we’ve agreed
- Respect for your home — clean, careful and tidy throughout the job
- Traditional skills — experience with period buildings, stone and heritage materials
If you’ve found us through a recommendation — welcome. If you’re searching for the first time, take a look at the services we offer, have a read of the testimonials from past customers, and get in touch when you’re ready. We’re easy to talk to and there’s no pressure.
Call Phil: 07708 362 171
Call Angela: 07535 675 363
Do you work on your own or employ other tradesmen?
Phil does the work himself. You won’t get a sub-contractor or a franchise operative — when you book Andromeda, Phil turns up and does the job. For larger projects that require additional hands, he works with a small number of trusted individuals he’s worked alongside for years, but the work is always overseen and quality-checked by Phil directly.
How long have you been doing this kind of work?
Phil has been working in chimney, fireplace and masonry trades for 20 years. He started in his early twenties and has been working hands-on in the trade ever since. The business itself has grown organically over that time, almost entirely through word-of-mouth recommendation.
Are you experienced with older or period properties?
Yes — it’s actually one of the things Phil is particularly good at. Older homes, Cotswold stone construction, Victorian fireplaces, traditional lime mortar work — these require a different approach from modern building, and Phil has the experience to handle them properly. If you have a period property and you’re nervous about getting the wrong person on it, Phil is exactly the right choice.
Are you fully insured?
Yes, Andromeda Chimney and Home carries full public liability insurance. For chimney sweeping, all work is properly documented, which is important for home insurance purposes. If you need certificates for your insurer, just ask — Phil will make sure you have everything you need.