2023 Master Builder Awards

Currently in the first year of his bricklaying apprenticeship, Jordan was nominated by his manager at James P Spencer Ltd for his excellent attitude and work ethic.

Despite a significant commute, he has never missed a class at Nottingham College and has never failed to keep his theory and coursework portfolio up to date. He's the first on site for work, arriving at least 20 minutes early every day and has notably never been the first to leave at the end of the day.

Jordan has also taken on the task of guiding the latest apprentice to join the company, and has never once complained about the scope of his responsibilities.

He has shown the utmost courtesy to colleagues and clients, with his manager describing him as 'every employers' dream employee'. The judges were impressed by the commitment he has shown to his work and the positive impression he has created with his employer.

Find out more about James P Spencer Ltd.

Taking on the brief to produce a compact boutique-style ensuite bathroom in what was their client’s guest bedroom, Misura has worked hard to produce a unique result in this project.

The open plan layout is home to a basin, shower unit and heated towel rails, which work well with the bright aesthetic to create a welcoming space the homeowner can enjoy for years to come.

The team set up a Whatsapp group with the client and shared regular updates as work progressed, to ensure everything was tailored to their liking and customer satisfaction was achieved.

Find out more about Misura Ltd.

Having set up shop just five years ago, Paul Richardson Plastering & Building Contractor is a business that has shown great promise from the outset, and has grown to a team of 10 people.

They have maintained a five-star review rating from clients from the very beginning, despite having to grapple with the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic so early in the business’s life. They continue to take on more, and larger projects, and have revamped their approach to waste management, seeking to reuse materials from their projects as part of a greener approach to site management.

Their first apprentice has just become fully qualified, which has served as a great source of pride and inspired the company to take on another. As the company has grown they have maintained a friendly, family-orientated culture that allows for flexible working hours and early finishes on Friday, whereafter they get together and socialise.

Find out more about Paul Richardson Plastering & Building Contractor.

Rhodes Joinery & Building Services Ltd's work on this property in Elland, West Yorkshire saw them breathe new life into a disused ironmonger’s shop, Cooper Kitchen, which holds significant historical value in the area.

Staying true to the building’s heritage, the team have implemented a replica of the Moorgate Dwarf Roadster No. 5 penny farthing bicycle produced by Cooper Kitchen around 1885. Commissioned specially for the renovation, this model now takes pride of place behind the new main bar.

The walls have been stripped back to reveal the original brickwork by a local firm, and the bar / tables have all been hand-made by this Master Builder’s joinery team. A huge wall mural, hand-painted by local artist Richard Everett was included in the space, as well as historical photographs and items added as an homage to the community. They are now on display throughout the property - many donated by local people themselves.

Find out more about Rhodes Joinery & Building Services Ltd.

In April 2021 the Parochial Church Council of St Thomas’ Church, Kilnhurst, South Yorkshire, was handed the keys to a beautiful new church annex, built by Misura Ltd.

The team worked hard to integrate modern upgrades such as a new main entrance area with toilet facilities, a community space, a modern commercial grade kitchen and electrical service cupboards into the historic building, without disrupting the flow and feel of the church. Light and warmth are provided by a mixture of modern lighting units, including LEDs, which have helped to create a welcoming space for members of the local community to gather.

Their client’s testimonial speaks of ‘astonished pleasure in experiencing the bright, airy space, with a 21st century design feel, that sympathetically melds with the 19th century mid-Victorian church building’ on the part of those who now visit, cementing this project’s status as a true heavenly build.

Find out more about Misura Ltd.

C Williams & Sons’ longstanding commitment to delivering quality work for their clients is evidenced in a series of glowing customer testimonials.

Compliments for the team from clients include ‘it’s been a pleasure working with you and your guys and can say that from start through to finish nothing has been an issue for you…’, and ‘a fantastic, trustworthy building company who work to a very high standard.’ Other comments include ‘throughout the build Cliff Williams & Sons were helpful, friendly and adaptable when we needed to adjust the plans’ and ‘I’ve tended to be a bit sceptical of builders in the past, but this has changed. You showed up every day, did what you said and always worked with us.’

The team have also been praised for their commitment to training the next generation of tradespeople, with their latest apprentice having stayed with them for four years and continued their employment post qualification.

Find out more about C Williams & Sons.

Built on the site of a disused farmyard, this site consists of 40 brand new energy efficient homes assembled in part using stone reclaimed from the derelict structures which formerly occupied the area.

Keigar Homes went to great lengths to carefully extract, prepare and implement the salvaged materials into what is now a thriving new development in Hibaldstow, North Lincolnshire.

One of the project highlights is the entrance area, which has been carefully designed to blend in with existing buildings along East Street, such as the Grade II listed Willow and Beechwood farmhouses which sit either side.

Hibaldstow Parish Council, one of Kiegar’s clients, stated that ‘The development at Willow Farm sits right in the heart of Hibaldstow, and it has certainly enhanced the area visually, while being in-keeping with local build styles and architecture. We’re very pleased that the stone from the old farm buildings could be repurposed in such a way and we welcome this kind of innovation in our village.’

Find out more about Keigar Homes Ltd.

The kitchen project in Ruddington, Nottingham was part of the renovation of an historic toll booth which dates back some 200 years, with a view to producing an energy efficient, modern family home.

Despite the technical challenges associated with working on such an old building, IPSUM (UK) Ltd worked hard to realise their client’s vision for a well-lit, open plan family kitchen which could also serve as a focal point for the home and a space for entertaining.

The new space features a large kitchen island, and a direct view of the beautiful rear garden and nearby woodland. Another key highlight is the former toll house wall, which has been carefully restored and now takes pride of place in this modern kitchen.

The client loved the finished result, and stated ‘We would have no hesitation in recommending IPSUM to friends and family, which we have already done. Well done IPSUM and thank you…’.

Find out more about IPSUM (UK) Ltd.

Mack Construction’s work on this property in Nether Edge, Sheffield saw the team transform a cramped two-bedroom house into a functional, comfortable and energy-efficient four-bedroom home for their client’s growing family.

The extensive works included adding a three-storey side extension containing a welcoming, light-filled entrance hall and a staircase. The rear of the property was also extended to make room for additional bedrooms, an open plan kitchen and a dining area.

The project was modelled in the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) to ensure very low space heating demand throughout. The enhanced insulation levels in the new elements and the carefully modelled insulation to the existing building fabric has enabled a final space heating demand of just 84kWh/m2 – a figure which compares favourably to many new-build homes in the UK.

The client thanked Mack Construction for their consistent composure and professionalism throughout a project that was not without its challenges, stating ‘we’d happily work with you [and the architect] again.’

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

York Builder.com has restored this collection of disused buildings to produce a modern collection of five rooms as part of a barn conversion project at Oak Farm, Dunnington, York.

The property is now sustainably heated and powered using a ground-source heat pump and solar panels. Each individual building has been extensively insulated to ensure a high degree of airtightness, and two of the original 18th century barns have been converted to provide a large, vaulted kitchen and living room.

A new wing has been added to house three large new bedrooms along with ensuite bathrooms, and a modern glazed link building now connects a 17th century games room with the bedrooms. All the original features have been restored in a manner sympahetic to their original style, and the buildings surround a new courtyard overlooked on all sides with large bi-folding doors.

The judges were impressed by the great diversity of skills shown in tackling the heritage property and implementing renewable energy technology, as well as the high quality finishes on display throughout the build.

Find out more about York Builder.com Ltd.

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.

D L E Construction Limited took on a challenging brief to produce this detached, new-build, sustainable family home, whilst ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding environment.

The team have created a modern, fully open plan living area that has been uniquely designed to capture natural light, utilising the south-facing aspect of the plot. They also incorporated the latest green technologies, including ground-source heat pump, solar panels, a heat-recovery system, underfloor heating, a rainwater harvesting system, triple glazed Velfac windows and extensive insulation.

Their client was thrilled with their new home, stating ‘The DLE team worked very well together and managed to foresee and accomplish things we worried would be impossible during the COVID lockdown. They created exactly what we wanted to a high standard and found creative solutions to what we wanted to achieve.’

Find out more about D L E Construction Limited.