Leigh Wood and Andy Brayshaw of LA Building and Joinery, Leeds, certainly know the path of an apprentice. Both Leigh and Andy started their careers off with a three-year apprenticeship through Leeds College of Building.
Unfortunately, after completing their apprenticeships and gaining a few years’ experience, the company they worked for made them and others redundant which left them wondering, what next?
Both Leigh and Andy felt they had gained enough industry knowledge and experience to ‘go it alone’ so in 2011, they set up LA Building and Joinery.
The first contract they won was a joinery-subcontracting contract for the Chairman of Huddersfield Town FC. After taking on the project, they quickly realised they needed more labour so started sub-contracting joiners themselves. Within eight months, whilst Andy site managed, Leigh came off the tools to manage job leads, paperwork and accounts.
They continued to grow the business and build their great reputation, and list of clients, through word of mouth. They worked on house extensions and renovations before taking on contracts for several National Park visitor centres involving a huge amount of timberwork.
In 2012, LA Building and Joinery started employing people, including their first apprentice.
“We wanted to take on an apprentice as soon as it was financially viable as we felt strongly that we were given this opportunity and wanted to give back to someone else,” said Leigh.
“It was great for business, a real positive learning curve for both our apprentice and ourselves. To date we have had two apprentices and I would encourage anyone to take on an apprentice as I feel we should be passing our skills and industry knowledge on to the next generation; it’s the best way for people to learn.”
LA Building and Joinery’s growth pattern continued as they took on contracts with NHS England for surgery refurbishments across Leeds and Bradford and more extension and renovation jobs throughout West Yorkshire.
In 2017 they secured their biggest contract to date at a project value of £800K, which included two new-build blocks containing eight flats. This project was a huge challenge for Leigh and Andy but one they relished, delivering the finished project within the set 12-month contract date.
LA Building and Joinery joined the FMB in November 2017 to help reassure clients of their quality of work and professionalism.
“We simply wanted to belong to an organisation that is widely recognised by clients as having quality builders as members. Since joining, we have seen enquiries go up and we are winning work by being able to let potential clients know that we are master builders and belong to the FMB. We have found the commercial contracts useful and the membership team have been great in supporting us in our first year of membership,” said Leigh.
LA Building and Joinery have now grown to the point where they have just taken on their first premises; they have five members of staff, including two joiners, one apprentice, one bricklayer, and one labourer. The business now also has a fleet of vans.
So, what does the future hold for the business?
“Looking forward, we will continue to run between two and four house extension or renovation jobs at a time but moving into housebuilding is definitely on the radar,” Leigh said. “We are working closely with Caroline, Director of FMB North on the release of local, small sites and accessing finance for the development of up to five units.”
