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Builders in Essex

48 practices covering Essex. Listings are business information researched by Renovome; contact details and matching happen inside Workspace.

Appointing a builder in Essex

Essex builders mainly price extensions, garage conversions and refurbishments of interwar and post-war houses, with plenty of side access and off-street parking — which keeps costs below London levels for the same work.

Property you'll be working with in Essex

Interwar and post-war semis and detached houses with decent plots in Chelmsford, Brentwood and Southend, older weatherboarded and timber-framed property in the villages, and estuary areas where flood risk and ground conditions matter.

Planning in Essex

Each district council publishes its own householder guidance, Green Belt limits extension volumes in the west of the county, and coastal areas carry flood risk conditions that affect floor levels and foundations.

What builders charge in Essex

£2,300 to £3,100 per square metre for a mid-finish extension shell in 2026, and £1,000 to £1,600 per square metre for a full internal refurbishment.

Indicative 2026 ranges and local context, not quotations or planning advice. Last reviewed: September 2026.

How to choose a builder in Essex

You appoint a builder once the scope is defined. If you invite builders before the drawings and specification are settled, every quote prices a different job and you cannot compare them.

  1. Give every builder the same drawings, specification and programme, then compare line by line.
  2. Check the company at Companies House, and ask how long the team has worked together.
  3. Visit a current site, not just a finished photo.
  4. Ask for public liability insurance and, where relevant, a warranty or guarantee.
  5. Agree a payment schedule tied to stages completed, never a large payment up front.

What builders in Essex typically work on

  • Single and two-storey extensions
  • Loft conversions and garage conversions
  • Kitchen and bathroom refits
  • Structural openings and knock-throughs
  • Whole-house refurbishments

Typical 2026 fees for builders

ItemTypical 2026 cost
Extension shell, per square metre£2,300 - £3,400
Single-storey rear extension, 20 sq m£52,000 - £86,000
Loft conversion, rear dormer£48,000 - £78,000
Structural opening with flush beam£4,500 - £12,000
Day rate, two-person team£380 - £620

Indicative 2026 UK ranges, not quotations. London and the South East usually sit at the top of each range. Last reviewed: September 2026.

Common questions

How many builders should I ask to quote?
Three is enough, provided all three price the same written scope. More quotes on a vague brief produce a wider spread, not better information.
Why do quotes for the same job differ so much?
Usually because they include different work. Compare the inclusions, exclusions and provisional sums before you compare the totals.

Read next

Brief several builders at once

Renovome Workspace shortlists suitable practices for your project, sends one consistent brief and lays the responses out side by side so you compare scope, not just price.

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