Builders in Essex
Looking for a builder in Essex? The builders below are listed with their real Google rating where they have one. We list 228 in total, and the 40 below are the ones rated and detailed enough to choose between. Send a job request from any listing, saying what needs doing and when suits, and the business comes back to you with a price and a time. No payment is taken online.
Builders in Essex at a glance
The 40 builders shown in Essex are based across 26 postcode districts (SS8, CO12, RM17, CM5, RM20, CO9, CM17, EN9 and more), so there is usually one close by whichever side of Essex you are on.
What a builder does
Builders take on extensions, loft and garage conversions, knocking through walls, garden rooms, structural repairs and the general building work that other trades fit around. A good builder in Essex will talk about drawings, Building Regulations and a written schedule of payments before they talk about a start date.
Other trades in Essex
Builders in nearby areas
Before you choose, worth reading
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for an extension?
Many single storey extensions fall under permitted development, but there are limits on size, height and position, and the rules differ for flats, listed buildings and conservation areas. Building Regulations approval is needed regardless. Check with the council planning department, or ask the builder to show you the rules that apply.
How should I pay a builder?
In stages tied to work completed, never a large sum up front. A small deposit for materials is normal. Agree the stages in writing and keep a final payment back until snagging is done.
Does membership of the FMB or a similar body mean a builder is good?
The Federation of Master Builders and similar bodies vet their members, and membership is a reasonable sign, but it is not a guarantee. References from recent customers whose work you can see, and a written contract, matter more.
How do I get a quote from builders in Essex?
Pick a listing on this page and send a quote request saying what needs doing and when suits you. The business comes back to you with a price and a time. It is free to ask, and no payment is taken online.
Are the builders on this page vetted?
Not yet. Listings marked Claimed have been claimed by the business and are kept up to date by them; the rest come from public records such as Companies House and Google and are marked as not yet claimed. Every listing shows its real Google rating and review count where one exists. We do not check registers or insurance yet, so ask for a Gas Safe or NICEIC/NAPIT number and check it yourself.
What should I check before I hire a builder?
Ask for a written quote and what it includes, who will do the work, whether they are insured, and any registration the trade needs, such as Gas Safe for gas work or a Part P scheme for electrics. Never pay the full amount up front.
Prices and availability are confirmed by each business. No payment is taken online, you pay the tradesperson directly.