Local Builders and Building Services Across the UK

General builders may handle home repairs, extensions, renovations, loft conversions and garage conversions. Ask about experience with projects like yours and who will organise any specialist trades.

These trades work on walls, pointing, roof coverings, gutters and chimney structures. Describe the problem clearly and ask whether access equipment, scaffolding and waste removal are included.

For access at height, see our Scaffolding and Finding a Scaffolder guide.

Carpenters and joiners can help with timber work, doors, stairs and fitted storage. Plasterers prepare or repair walls and ceilings; painters and decorators finish surfaces. Agree preparation, materials and the finish you want before work starts.

Fitting services may include cabinets, worktops, tiling and sanitary fittings. Check who handles plumbing, electrical work, ventilation and removal of old fittings, and whether these are included in the quotation.

Choose someone with credentials relevant to the actual job, rather than assuming a general builder can undertake every specialist task.

• Urgent Home Repairs and Trusted Tradespeople covers finding electrical and plumbing help and checking trade registers.
• Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation covers heating services and relevant installer checks.

Services include window and door repairs or replacement, glazing and insulation improvements. Ask what suits your property, how ventilation will be maintained and what certificates or permissions are needed.

See Glaziers and Glass Repairs for glazing and replacement-window guidance.

Groundworkers prepare sites and foundations; drainage specialists investigate drains and water flow. Driveway and patio installers create outdoor surfaces. Ask how drainage, ground preparation, access and waste disposal will be handled.

• Driveways and Surfacing
• Landscaping and Finding a Landscaper
• Skip Hire and Waste Removal

Adaptations can include ramps, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms and other changes that make a home easier to use. Explain your everyday needs and ask about experience with accessible building work.

Before committing to major adaptations, ask your local council about an assessment and possible support. In Northern Ireland, contact your Health and Social Care Trust about an occupational therapy assessment. Available support and eligibility vary; an assessment does not guarantee funding.

See Mobility Aids, Disability Equipment and Home Adaptations for related guidance.

Use these external directories to search by location and trade. The Federation of Master Builders lists its members; TrustMark lists registered businesses. Results and local availability vary.

Sixpence Support UK does not operate its own nationwide business list and has not vetted the individual businesses in these directories. A directory entry is not our recommendation.

• Compare written quotes where possible, making sure they cover the same work.
• Check references and credentials relevant to the job. Ask about insurance.
• Agree the work, materials, price, payment stages and dates in writing, including how changes will be agreed.
• Check any required planning permission, building approval or other permissions with the appropriate local authority. Rules differ across the UK.
• Keep quotes, agreements, invoices, photographs and messages.

If you run a local building or trade business and would like us to consider your details for this page, contact help@sixpencesupportuk.org with your business name, website, services and areas covered. There is no charge to request a listing. Requests are reviewed, and inclusion is not guaranteed.

If you would like to help keep Sixpence Support UK free for everyone, please consider making a voluntary donation. Your support helps us continue sharing useful information with people across the UK. A donation is never required for a listing and does not buy a recommendation.