2023 Master Builder Awards

Rescued from the remains of a dilapidated old carpenter’s shop, this property nicknamed 'The Hovel' has been completely transformed by Cornerhouse Building Contractors to produce a wonderful home for a couple of first-time buyers.

Significant portions of the old structure had to be rebuilt for safety reasons, whilst planning conditions mandated that the unique first-floor windows be retained. The resulting open plan living room and kitchen space combines these heritage features with a partially vaulted ceiling and exposed steel work giving the room a semi-industrial feel.

The property also features a generous garage and a double bedroom with an ensuite bathroom to the rear, providing modern creature comforts without compromising on character. The client was delighted with this builder’s quality of work, their craftsmanship and the general friendliness of the team, whilst the judges praised Cornerhouse’s 'integrity and practical hands-on problem solving' through the course of the build.

Find out more about Cornerhouse Building Contractors Ltd.

First developed by Lord Henry of Bath in the 1800s as a music venue and dance hall, this historic property in Carmarthen has had a raft of unique features lovingly restored to their former glory.

A bespoke curved oak staircase has been brought in, and the upstairs dancehall has been retained as an open-plan living space. Stonework throughout the property has been restored and several new window openings respectfully formed, including a feature oak double-height screen entrance. Original timber doors and windows have been reconstructed using energy-efficient timber joinery, and oak herringbone flooring has been installed to wonderful effect.

The client stated ‘Lord Henry of Bath would be proud of the completed build, and we believe we could have never achieved this without Wyn’s approach, expertise and passion to deliver our dream home’. The judges praised this builder’s collaborative approach to project management, bringing together local expertise with excellent stakeholder co-ordination.

Find out more about Wyn Davies Building & Roofing Contractor.

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.

The team at NMC NI Contracts Ltd renovated a 1930's carriage house into a self-contained annexe for this winning project. To increase the living space, they added a modern garden room extension, and then brought the old building back to life with hardwood floors, sandstone paving outside and added finishing touches with brass fittings and reeded glass to complement the period of the property.

The key objective was to preserve the character of the building. Challenges lay in keeping the fabric of the old outbuilding stable while they worked on it and insulating it to modern regulations. The team also landscaped the well-established garden to provide more outdoor living space for the family.

Their clients provided glowing praise: ‘I am so delighted to be able to say that Neil and his great team were able to achieve everything that we wanted. Nothing was too difficult, and they sought to find answers or solutions every step of the way.’ Adding: ‘To say we are in love with our new space is an understatement. Neil and his team have created the most beautiful indoor-outdoor space for us to enjoy for decades to come.’

 Find out more about NMC NI Contracts Ltd, which is also an FMB insurance customer.

J C Building Services’ winning project is a modern aluminium framed dining room extension to the rear of a Grade II listed building, built circa 1750. The team demolished an old 1960’s extension to get the project under way.  

It was a challenging build and they had a short time frame in which to deliver it – three months in all. However, attention to detail was not overlooked.  The team were careful to match details for a flawless finish, copying the profile of the original skirting board into the new extension, and incorporating natural stone into the new fireplace to provide a visual link to the main house. 

The team were also able to resolve a few challenges by applying logic. For instance, by working out cold bridging details to accommodate the complicated steel frame, and by figuring out how to attach the sleek, straight lines of the glazed structure that links the extension to the undulating stone of the original building. 

The judges praised the aesthetics of the build and the team’s ability to overcome problems. 

Find out more about J C Building Services. 

The judges praised this double-height rear extension as a ‘modern take on a traditional build’. Scott Bricklaying and Building Limited were tasked with maximising space on the first floor, replacing an existing balcony but retaining the amazing views from that vantage point. To achieve this, they made use of aluminium bifold doors on both ground and first floor levels, providing floor-to-ceiling glazing. A staircase was designed to complement this in black steel with open oak treads. 

The main challenge on site was the different levels of access. Scaffolding was used to make this easier and safe. A spider crane was hired from a local company to manoeuvre heavy panels of glass and steel beams – thanks to a friendly neighbour providing access from their driveway. 

Their clients commented that, ‘my partner and I can be quite demanding in our expectations. However, Scott’s attention to detail surpassed ours and he has certainly left us with an amazing, beautiful home.’ 

Find out more about Scott Bricklaying and Building Limited. 

This property in North Berwick, East Lothian saw H M Raitt & Sons realise their clients' plans for a fully renovated family home which made use of their available attic space. 

The previously unoccupied area of the home now features a master bedroom suite, with a bath in the bedroom and a separate water closet, along with storage along the eaves of the room. The team have also added a dining, kitchen and living area as well as a Jack and Jill shower room on the ground floor. 

The highlight of the house is the luxuriously appointed sleeping and bathing space, offering great views out of newly installed Velux windows of the nearby golf course and the historic Bass Rock. 

The judges described the project as 'a job to be proud of' and praised the expertise and skill exercised by this Master Builder in completing it. 

Find out more about H M Raitt & Sons Ltd. 

This project in Guildford saw Houghton Lewis Group carry out a single-storey wrap-around extension, incorporating a line of glazed roof windows within an artificial slate roof.

Internal refurbishment measures include the installation of under-stair storage, a new bathroom, new kitchen, a new stove, and integrated snug seating. The team worked diligently with local water service providers, neighbours, an architect, kitchen providers and of course the client to ensure a smooth project delivery that met the approval of all concerned.

They held regular meetings to provide updates and insights, with the client stating 'As soon as I met Simon and Tim, I knew they were the right team to trust with the development of our build. Simon was brilliant at keeping us informed, as well as providing immediate solutions to unforeseen challenges that arose...'

Find out more about Houghton Lewis Group Ltd.

Tasked with renovating and extending the rear part of this Victorian terraced home, M R P Construction realised they had their work cut out for them when they discovered the existing structure did not have sufficient foundations.

Despite this major challenge, the builder remained positive and proposed solutions to the issue, consulting with an architect, a structural engineer, and the client to ensure they were all happy before proceeding.

After implementing a support system to secure the home, the team extended the first floor to add an ensuite bathroom, rebuilt a downstairs bathroom, rewired the property, installed under-floor heating, replaced a gas boiler, and renewed the heating system. They even renovated the rear garden with stone paving and raised beds.

The judges praised the strong relationship this builder built with the client in the face of significant obstacles, allowing them to exceed expectations and deliver an outstanding result.

Find out more about M R P Construction.

Peter Armitage Ltd renovated this home in Halifax and added a ground level extension to the rear of the property, providing a new living area and extended kitchen / dining space.

Highlights include the superb views across the Calder Valley, and the way the flat roof design compliments the appearance of the original three-storey dwelling. The glazed frontages and skylights provide a light and airy interior, welcoming guests into the space.

The client stated that the build team were ‘friendly, tidy, very open with us but more importantly delivered a quality project where the attention to detail was far beyond our expectations.’

The judges were impressed with the way the extension was integrated into the existing structure, and praised the builder’s management of the structural engineering challenges that arose during the project.

Find out more about Peter Armitage Ltd.