ARCHITECTS FROM LONDON Find a Builder
Extension, Loft Conversion and Renovation Builders
↓
RIBA Chartered
Award winning
London · Vienna · Rome
Featured in The Times
Panel at Grand Designs Live
find a builder intro
Find the right builder for your project
Finding a builder is easy.
Finding the right builder for your project is much harder.
The lowest quotation is not always the best choice, and the contractor with the earliest availability is not necessarily the best fit.
The right builder needs to understand the type of work you are planning, be comfortable with the scale of the project, have relevant experience and be able to work from the information provided.
Tholos can help homeowners prepare their project properly and, where suitable, introduce builders with relevant experience in their local area.
Our current builder network covers areas around Nottingham, Derby, Durham and London.
find a builder service explained
Looking for a local builder?
Most homeowners begin by searching for a builder near them.
That is a sensible starting point, but location is only one part of the decision.
A contractor who is excellent at smaller residential extensions may not be the right choice for a major whole house renovation. A builder who specialises in period properties may be better suited to one project than a company focused on newer homes.
Before introducing a builder, Tholos first looks at the project itself.
We consider:
- what you are planning to build
- where the property is located
- the approximate construction budget
- the stage the project has reached
- whether drawings are already available
- whether planning permission or other approvals are in place
- whether technical information has been prepared
- your intended construction timescale
This helps us understand what kind of contractor the project actually needs.
find a builder
What type of builder do you need?
Different projects require different experience.
Extension builders
House extensions are one of the most common reasons homeowners contact builders.
This may include rear extensions, side extensions, kitchen extensions, wraparound extensions, single storey extensions or more complex projects involving significant internal alterations.
A builder pricing an extension should ideally receive clear information covering the proposed design, structure, materials and technical requirements.
Loft conversion builders
Loft conversions can involve structural alterations, new stairs, fire safety requirements, insulation, roof changes and sometimes planning considerations.
A builder with specific loft conversion experience can be particularly valuable because these projects often require careful coordination between design, structure and construction.
Renovation builders
Home renovations can range from internal remodelling to complete refurbishment.
The work may involve structural changes, new services, drainage, insulation, windows, roofing, finishes and coordination between several trades.
For larger renovations, it is important to find a contractor who is comfortable managing the complexity of the project rather than simply carrying out isolated works.
Garage conversion builders
Garage conversions may appear relatively straightforward, but they can still involve insulation, ventilation, drainage, structural alterations, fire safety and Building Regulations requirements.
The project should be properly assessed before construction begins.
Builders for period and older properties
Older homes can require a different approach from modern construction.
Existing structure, traditional materials, previous alterations and hidden defects can all affect the work.
Where possible, it is useful to appoint a builder who has experience working with similar property types.
find a builder
Is your project ready for a builder?
Before requesting quotations, it is important to establish whether the project is sufficiently developed.
A builder can only price what has been defined.
If important information is missing, contractors may make different assumptions and the quotations you receive may not be directly comparable.
Depending on the project, a builder may need:
- architectural drawings
- planning approval
- Building Regulations drawings
- structural calculations
- drainage information
- construction details
- material specifications
- a clear scope of work
You do not need to know whether you have everything required before contacting Tholos.
We can review the project during the initial consultation and explain what is still needed before builders are approached.
find a builder
Do you need drawings before getting builder quotations?
For many extensions, loft conversions and larger renovations, drawings are an important part of obtaining reliable quotations.
Planning drawings alone may not always provide enough technical information for construction.
Builders may need more detailed drawings showing how the work should be carried out, together with structural and Building Regulations information where relevant.
Without this level of detail, one contractor may include work that another has excluded.
This can make an apparently cheaper quotation more expensive later.
Tholos can prepare or review the information required before the project is issued to builders.
find a builder
How Tholos helps you find a builder
Our role is not simply to pass you a contractor name.
The process begins with understanding the project.
First, we review where the project stands
We look at what you are planning, what information already exists and whether the project is ready to be priced.
Next, we identify any missing information
If drawings, approvals or technical details are still required, we can explain what needs to happen before builders are approached.
Then, where suitable, we introduce relevant builders
If the project is ready and falls within the areas covered by our current builder network, we can identify contractors whose experience may be suitable for the work.
Finally, we can help with quotations
Where appropriate, Tholos can support the quotation process and help identify differences in scope, assumptions and exclusions.
The aim is to make the builder selection process clearer and more informed.
find a builder
Builders in Nottingham
Tholos works with builder partners covering Nottingham and surrounding areas.
Projects may include:
- house extensions
- kitchen extensions
- loft conversions
- home renovations
- garage conversions
- larger residential alterations
Coverage depends on the individual contractor, project size and availability.
find a builder
Builders in Derby
Our builder network also includes Derby and surrounding areas.
We can help assess your project, prepare the information required for quotations and introduce suitable contractors where available.
find a builder
Builders in Durham
Tholos can support homeowners looking for builders in Durham and surrounding parts of the region.
The precise coverage area depends on the contractor and project requirements.
find a builder
Builders in London
London is a much larger and more varied building market, so contractor suitability depends heavily on location, project type and budget.
Tholos works with builders covering selected parts of London and can advise whether a suitable introduction may be available for your project.
find a builder
What should you look for when choosing a builder?
Price matters, but it should not be the only consideration.
Before appointing a builder, it is sensible to look at:
- relevant project experience
- recent work
- references
- insurance
- availability
- communication
- clarity of quotation
- exclusions
- payment terms
- programme
- how changes are managed
- who will actually be carrying out the work
A detailed quotation is usually easier to assess than a short figure with very little explanation.
If two quotations are significantly different, the first question should be whether they include the same work.
find a builder
Should you choose the cheapest builder?
Not automatically.
A lower quotation may represent good value, but it may also exclude important work or rely on assumptions that have not been discussed.
This is one reason why preparing a clear builder quotation package is so important.
If each contractor is pricing from the same drawings and project information, it becomes easier to understand genuine differences in price.
The goal is not necessarily to find the cheapest builder.
It is to find the contractor who offers the right combination of price, experience, reliability and suitability for your project.
How many builder quotations should you get?
For many residential projects, obtaining more than one quotation can help you understand the market and identify significant differences in pricing.
The number of quotations is less important than their quality.
Three detailed quotations based on the same information can be far more useful than five informal estimates based on different assumptions.
Tholos can help you prepare the project so that contractors are pricing the same scope of work.
What if you already have a builder in mind?
You do not need to use a builder introduced by Tholos.
If you already have a contractor you trust, we can still help with:
- architectural drawings
- planning applications
- Building Regulations drawings
- structural coordination
- technical design
- construction information
- quotation review
- support during construction
We are happy to work with a builder you have selected yourself.
find a builder
What if your builder is asking for more information?
This is common.
A homeowner may already have planning permission but discover that the builder needs more detailed drawings before work can begin.
Planning drawings are prepared primarily for the planning process.
They may not answer all of the technical questions required during construction.
If your builder is asking for additional information, Tholos can review what is available and help prepare the missing drawings or technical details.
find a builder
Can Tholos help compare builder quotations?
Yes.
Where the project information is sufficiently clear, we can help review builder quotations and identify differences between them.
This may include:
- missing items
- exclusions
- provisional allowances
- assumptions
- differences in materials
- structural allowances
- pricing for finishes
- programme differences
- payment arrangements
This can help you understand why one quotation is higher or lower than another before making a decision.
find a builder
Can Tholos support the project after a builder is appointed?
Yes.
Depending on the service required, Tholos can remain involved during construction.
This may include:
- responding to design questions
- issuing additional information
- reviewing proposed changes
- site inspections
- contract administration
- monitoring progress against agreed information
- supporting completion and snagging
This can be useful where the project is more complex or where the homeowner wants professional support during construction.
find a builder
Start your builder search with the project
The best time to find a builder is when the project is clear enough to price properly.
If you are not sure whether you are ready, that is not a problem.
Tell us what you are planning and what information you already have.
We can assess the project, explain the next steps and, where appropriate, help connect you with a suitable local builder.
Client experience
"
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. We had a vision for our home but no idea how to realise it. Tholos Interiors took complete ownership of the project — every detail was considered, every decision explained. The result exceeded everything we had imagined.
– Lawrence Ipsum, Homeowner · London –
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Tholos find me a builder?
Where suitable, yes. Tholos can introduce builders operating within areas covered by our current contractor network. Availability depends on location, project type, budget and construction dates.
Do I have to use a builder recommended by Tholos?
No. You are free to appoint any contractor you choose. Tholos can also provide architectural and technical services while working with your own builder.
Do I need planning permission before finding a builder?
Not always. You can speak to builders earlier in the process, but final quotations are generally more useful once the project has been clearly defined and any necessary approvals are understood.
Do builders need architectural drawings?
For many extensions, loft conversions and substantial renovations, builders will need drawings to understand and price the proposed work properly. The level of detail required depends on the project.
Are planning drawings enough for a builder?
Yes. If the project information is sufficiently detailed, we can help identify differences between quotations, exclusions and assumptions before you appoint a contractor.
Can Tholos help me get builder quotations?
Yes. We can help prepare the information contractors need and, where appropriate, support the quotation process.
What areas do your builders cover?
Our current builder network includes areas around Nottingham, Derby, Durham and London. Exact coverage varies according to the individual contractor.
How do I know whether a builder is suitable?
Relevant experience, project type, location, availability, insurance, references, quotation quality and communication are all important factors. Tholos can help assess suitability in the context of your particular project.
Can you help if my builder has already started work?
Potentially, yes. If the project has started and additional drawings, technical information or architectural support are required, we can review the situation and advise on the next step.
Disclaimer
This article is part of a series created by our dynamic marketing team for informational purposes only. While we strive to review all content thoroughly, occasional oversights may occur, even after publication. Therefore, we cannot accept liability for any interpretations or use of the information provided. For the most up-to-date information or to report any discrepancies, please contact us at hello@tholos-architects.com.
Start your project