2023 Master Builder Awards

With an exemplary attendance record at his college and glowing reports from his tutors, Joseph has accumulated qualifications across tens of fields including the likes of working at height, fire safety awareness, wallpapering and waste disposal – to name but a few.

His peers describe him as a pleasure to work with, and his employer states that his 'first class attitude' and desire to succeed sets him apart as a "disciplined and capable individual". He is a valued member of McLoughlin Decorating's Health and Safety Committee, as well as their Apprenticeship Champion, a role which sees him mentor new apprentices, giving them support and encouragement and leading by fine example.

Find out more about McLoughlin Decorating Limited.

Our winners in the Bathroom category, Pencil and Brick, carried out the design, project management and build work for this bold and characterful bathroom as part of a larger house renovation. Its quality of finish, along with the team's project management ability caught the judges' eye.

They were impressed that the team had stepped in to rectify a tiling issue made by a non-FMB member hired by the client. Pencil and Brick ensured that the end result was completed to a high standard of workmanship, much to the relief of their clients.

The judges also praised their ability to pay attention to everyone’s needs and concerns. The team fostered a good relationship with neighbours impacted by the work, even helping an elderly neighbour to re-plant the street’s verges.

Their clients had the final word, stating that Pencil and Brick's ‘professionalism and attention to detail has kept us inspired and meant that we constantly have a feeling that our project is as meaningful to this brilliant team as it obviously is to us.’

Find out more about Pencil and Brick Ltd.

Home Republic Ltd have achieved a great deal in the last two years, delivering more than 40 projects across London with a 100% success rate and perfect review scores.

They've expanded their turnover three times in this period alone and done so despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and material shortages.

They've also maintained a strong commitment to their staff, ensuring that all of them remained gainfully employed throughout the lockdown periods, conducting regular onsite health checks and instilling a strong sense of company values and best practice through their own Code of Conduct.

Home Republic offer a free professional photography service to all clients with completed projects, as well as dedicated post-production aftercare, helping to cement their reputation as a true Master Builder taking pride in delivering quality work on every job.

The judges were impressed by the volume of high quality work this team has managed to produce, and by the company's devotion to looking after both clients and their staff. 

Find out more about Home Republic Ltd, who are also an FMB Insurance customer.

With their first foray into ‘design and build’, Home Republic Ltd took on the challenge to almost entirely re-build this community centre in Hendon. Retaining just the front façade and side walls, they were able to create light, spacious and inviting community spaces.

Over 80 steel beams were used in the build to support an open-plan layout, with moveable partitions on the first floor which provide the flexibility to configure the space either as a large hall or as eight separate classrooms. Meanwhile on the ground floor, a professional events hall has been equipped with integrated smart stage and AV room. The front garden has also been cleverly raised to create outdoor venue space, and a kitchen built to serve up to 300 people – giving new opportunities for use.

Communication was key to the project’s success. As a sacred space, the team were mindful of their impact on site and fostered a respectful approach throughout the build. The judge’s commented on the team’s use of specialised apps to connect decision makers with Home Republic Ltd’s dedicated communications manager and procurement manager – all of which contributed to the project being delivered four months ahead of schedule. Community centre trustees have since been congratulated on the finished project by the current Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and Home Republic Ltd commented that they are ‘extremely proud to have now played our part in London's community life.’

Find out more about Home Republic Ltd, who are also an FMB Insurance customer.

Luke is Hawksmoor Construction's longest serving employee and has been recognised for his positive attitude and unwavering commitment to delivering the best outcomes for the company's clients.

With over 20 years' worth of experience in the industry, he has devoted significant time to helping younger colleagues learn and develop their abilities to progress their careers. He is also known for ensuring Health and Safety precautions on the sites he manages are observed to the highest degree.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic especially, Luke worked tirelessly to protect the health and wellbeing of clients and colleagues, setting up sanitisation stations on each of the company's projects and carrying out risk assessments safe working practices.

His nomination states 'If all people showed up to work the way Luke does, the world would be a better place', and there really is no better testament to a true Heavenly Builder.

Find out more about Hawksmoor Construction Ltd, who are also an FMB Insurance customer.

The winning entry from Home Republic Ltd makes clever use of an urban infill site in Wimbledon. The corner-shaped new building that has been designed to cap off what previously looked like a very abrupt and 'unfinished' end to a run of two terraces, and has garnered a lot of very positive attention from local residents.

Although it fits in seamlessly with the Victorian street scene, the house is in fact thoroughly up to date and energy efficient, featuring solar panels and high spec insulation and ventilation.

The team were working with a very tight plot on a busy crossroad and with restricted access, yet managed to complete the project without any road closures. They took care to retain an existing tree and carved out just enough space for a small garden for their clients to enjoy. Despite the garden, the site offered limited scope for soak-away – so to manage run-off, they added a sophisticated rainwater collection system underneath the road.

The judges were impressed with Home Republic Ltd’s ability to work in such a limited space. Their client commented that ‘the result was so good that people knocked on my door after the project was complete and asked for the builder's details - there is no more a recommendation than that.’

Find out more about Home Republic Ltd, who are also an FMB Insurance customer.

Hawksmoor's work on this property in Hackney saw them give their client's home a new heart, moving the kitchen to the rear of the property where those inside could enjoy the view out onto the garden.

The limestone worktops American Cherry hardwood doors combine well for a wonderful aesthetic, and an integrated larder unit now offers storage space for those everyday essentials.

With COVID-19 hitting the UK just as the project got underway, the build was not without its challenges. Thankfully though due to diligent planning and excellent project management, costs and timescales were kept in check and the client was informed and reassured at every stage.

The judges were impressed by the workmanship on display and the professionalism in handling challenges during the project, describing it as a 'very high quality kitchen with impressive bespoke joinery, beautifully designed'.

Find out more about Hawksmoor Construction Ltd, who are also an FMB Insurance customer.

This Southwark renovation involved an overhaul of the entire house and the addition of an innovative ground floor extension - providing a generous, light-filled kitchen and dining room for a growing family.

Pencil and Brick Ltd pride themselves on their signature gauged brick details, and this project is no exception, featuring a brick portico with two semi-circular brick arches, echoing the nearby railway arches. The chamfered brick details are different heights under each arch, which precisely mirror the clients' Becky and Dan’s shoulder heights, and the arch motif is carried through into the kitchen with some bespoke joinery. The bespoke integrated carpentry is an excellent example of attention to detail – they designed and had built a large plywood-structure extension to the kitchen. This separated the kitchen and dining areas, with a beautiful arched opening, and two concealed skylights to bring in ‘mysterious’ light.

Their consideration for neighbours and attentive communication kept the project running smoothly, despite a few bumps in the road. Their clients agree: ‘Pencil and Brick have been a respite in the storm of complexity that is project design and build. We would wholeheartedly recommend this excellent practice and both its brilliant principals and whole team.’

Find out more about Pencil and Brick Ltd.

This unique project saw Chalk Build take on the renovation and alteration of an historic church in Islington.

Working through 2022's record-breaking heatwave, the team coordinated closely with the client's interior designer to preserve the building's classic character whilst adding some modern creature comforts. A new bespoke kitchen has been fitted and the bathroom thoroughly renovated, with custom wardrobes brought in to compliment the use of oak and natural woods.

The handmade staircase has been carefully moved to another position, and the original beams in the apex ceiling have been restored to their original beauty by sandblasting.

Rejoicing at the standard of the work completed, their client stated that working with the team was "an absolute pleasure from start to finish" and that he would "highly recommend" their services.

Find out more about Chalk Build Ltd.

In taking on the design and renovation of this period property in Hayes, Middlesex, Aspen were able to right some design wrongs by stripping out the additions made by a previous unsympathetic renovation, and inject both period character and practical contemporary features. They re-wired the property and added period panelling finishes, traditional cast iron radiators, upgraded the sash windows and added contemporary glass work to bring light into darker hallway areas.

As the building material crisis hit, Aspen were able to produce bespoke fixtures and fittings where supplier had let them down. Their client commented: ‘I would recommend the team for their combined expertise, high standard of workmanship and overall approach. The ability to stay connected and relate to us as clients was what stood out for us.’

Our panel of independent judges praised the level of research that had been done into this sympathetic renovation.

Find out more about Aspen Dv Ltd.

This whole-house refurbishment and retrofit project in Sydenham saw Earl and Calam Design and Build Ltd transform a cold, draughty two-storey detached 1960s house into a future-proof eco-home.

The ambitious project saw the team implement a range of different heat conservation measures including rockwool insulation, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and structural insulation. Great attention has also been paid to ensuring the house is as airtight as possible, with all the windows and doors replaced and gaps closed between these and the ceiling, floors, walls, between the floor joists as well as every cable and pipe.

The team have also fitted a heat recovery ventilation system and air source heating system, enabling the home to stay warm and comfortable even though it has now been disconnected from the gas grid.

The judges considered this an impressive retrofit project, praising the design and material choices and excellent workmanship on the part of this Master Builder.

Find out more about Earl and Calam Design and Build Ltd, who are also an FMB Insurance customer.