The 5 best builders in Newcastle locals rely on for quality results
After living in Newcastle for years and having a less-than-great experience with a local builder, I told myself, “Never again.” The delays, poor communication, and patchy finishes left me frustrated.
So, when it was time for another home project, I knew I had to do things differently. No longer will we go with whoever has the flashiest ad. I wanted to know who’s actually delivering quality work around here.
I began searching for the best builders in Newcastle, not just relying on hearsay, but rather conducting thorough research and drawing on my own hard-earned experience.
If you’re planning to renovate or extend, this might save you from the stress I went through.
How much do builders charge in Newcastle?
Builders in Newcastle typically charge between £1,300 and £2,000 per sqm, depending on the project’s size. Many offer fixed-price contracts or custom quotes for renovations, extensions, and full home builds to suit different budgets and timelines.
1. Shaw Home
Address: Unit 18c, Airport Industrial Estate
Contact Details: +441914476696
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
We found Shaw Home to be one of Newcastle’s more established firms. Since 2007, they have offered a broad range of residential and commercial services, encompassing everything from new builds and loft conversions to full-scale renovations.
What sets them apart is that they’re a TrustMark-approved member of the Federation of Master Builders, which assures high standards in workmanship and accountability.
The team offers material and finish options that lean more premium than expected at their scale. This adds value for homeowners wanting a more refined outcome.
One notable aspect is that the company’s founder, Daniel Grahame Shaw, remains actively involved in its leadership. We like this because this often reflects strong continuity and vision.
We also appreciate how the company offers options for the level of involvement you prefer. You can hire them to manage the entire project, including architectural drawings, or hire them to execute your own plans.
However, one client flagged ongoing issues with warranty support, noting that less post-build repair work was covered over time unless disputed. It’s something worth considering early in the process, especially if you’re seeking long-term support.
Professional, punctual, and friendly
“Can’t recommend Dan and his team enough. When we moved into our Victorian terrace we knew we wanted to keep the period features but also add Crittal style doors and other modern touches. Where other builders told us to rip out the period features, Dan fully understood the vision and gave us valuable advice as to how to achieve the look and finish we wanted. Both he and his team were super professional, punctual and friendly and ensured the process ran smoothly and to budget. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Shaw Home Improvements to anyone who is looking for a quality skilled builder and project manager.”
- Matt Simpson, Google Review
Always hands-on to give any advice
“This was our first renovation so we didn’t really know what to expect. Throughout the whole process Dan and his team have exceeded expectations from start to finish making the full project painless. Dan was always on hand to give any advice and available to answer any queries no matter how big or small. The quality of their work is exceptional and we were kept updated throughout all parts of the build. Dan and his team have completely transformed our home and we couldn’t be happier with the results. I honestly wouldn’t consider anyone else but Shaw Home improvements for any future works which we are already planning and cannot speak highly enough of everyone on the team!”
- Louise, Google Review
2. David Nicholas Construction
Address: Unit 13, Waterside Court, North Seaton Business Park, Ashington NE63 0YG
Contact Details: +441670643555
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
We hesitated at first when we saw that David Nicholas Construction had only launched in 2020. However, that changed when we learned that the owner has over 35 years of experience in construction, encompassing planning, supervision, and project management.
We appreciate their wide service menu. It includes kitchen and bathroom installations, roofing, extensions, general building, and full refurbishments.
What really gave us confidence was the variety of clients they work with. They’ve done projects for private owners, architects, and insurance companies. Despite being a family-run business, they carry themselves with the professionalism of a much larger firm.
We were impressed by their recent projects, including a full refurbishment of an HMO property in Newcastle upon Tyne and a garage-to-office conversion completed in November 2023. These properties featured a new downstairs bathroom.
Additionally, their 10/10 Checkatrade rating, based on over 100 verified reviews, gave us genuine confidence. We also appreciated that they take on smaller jobs, which is something not every builder in their tier is willing to do.
One thing to note, though, is that they can sometimes have wait times for scheduling, especially during peak months.
Kept everything on schedule and available
“We are really happy with the work done by David Nicolas Construction. Nick, who project managed the work was great. He kept everything on schedule and was on site or available whenever we wanted to speak to him and sorted any issues quickly and professionally. After having a previously horrendous experience with a builder we were anxious. But Nick and the crew were fantastic, tidy, polite nothing was a bother. Would highly recommend them to others and would use again.”
- Kirsty Shotton, Google Review
Concerns are dealt with promptly
“Nick and team have been great. They’ve been very helpful and professional throughout. Even managed to add odd extra jobs into the work processes without issue. Any concerns were dealt with promptly. Quality of the work is excellent. Would highly recommend.”
- M Bahary, Google Review
3. A&P Builders
Address: 71 Chelford Close, Wallsend, NE28 9YE
Contact Details: +447740952747
We really appreciate A&P Builders’ blend of old-school building expertise and modern finishes. They’ve been operating around Newcastle and North Tyneside since 2019 and have built up a reputation that honestly feels well-earned.
They’re especially known for their green oak frame builds, which bring a warm, natural feel to any space. They seem to do a lot of customer work too, really tailoring each project instead of just following a standard template.
But one thing to note is that they prefer working with their trusted suppliers. If you’re the type who wants to bring in your own fixtures or shop from high-street brands, they may gently nudge you toward their in-house options.
Even so, they’re registered with Checkatrade and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), and that’s not just for show. The FMB even inspected their past projects before granting membership, which made us feel they’re reliably good.
Their timber detailing and traditional truss work also impressed us. The craftsmanship felt more boutique than one would expect from a builder of this size.
Produces a stunning finish
“Would gladly recommend these guys without hesitation. They have recently completed our large wraparound extension. Jack, Paul and the team of Bam, Charlie & Alfie produced a stunning finish and we could not be happier with the build. Very friendly and helpful throughout. Approachable, and any issues on site were dealt with very professionally. Good luck for the future boys and we’ll be in touch for the next phase. A very happy Bill and Donna.”
- Bill Ronald, Google Review
Pulled all the trades in without problems
“A&P Builders have been absolutely amazing!! Everything from their communication, tidiness and attention to detail has been second to none. I cannot recommend these builders enough. Our front room required a new ceiling, re plastering, redecorating, joinery work as well as electrical work and the lads at A&P Builders pulled all the trades in without any problems or delays. I will without a doubt be asking for A&P to do all future work! Thank you so much again!”
- Beth C, Google Review
4. Lavery Building Services Ltd
Address: Unit 23c Espley Cl
Contact Details: +447432530994
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Lavery Building Services Ltd is a family-run company with over 25 years of hands-on experience in Newcastle’s building trade. They’ve earned a strong reputation for home extensions, refurbishments, and roofing across the North East.
We appreciated that they have their own in-house roofing team. This means no third-party delays or inconsistent finishes. They’re also certified to install EPDM rubber roofing, which offers better durability than standard felt options.
Another feature that stood out is that they’re one of the few local builders offering suspended ceiling installations and full plastering services. These include dry lining, rendering, and even plastering over Artex.
What genuinely impresses us is how neat and well-finished their projects appear. Plus, they’re rated 4.95 on TrustATrader for a reason.
But while checking their booking system, we noticed that they’re often scheduled weeks in advance, which could be a hurdle if you’re on a tight timeline. One client even mentioned waiting over two weeks just to get an initial survey, so it’s best to plan early.
Friendly and had a good working attitude
“We recently had our soffits and eve’s replaced. Shaun came and gave quote within a few days and found our quote a reasonable price. His team all seemed friendly and had a good working attitude as they never stopped. Turned up on the dot every morning and were clean and tidy. Im happy with the work that they did and would recommend this honest and reliable company.”
- Helen Moore, Google Review
Polite and consistent in giving updates during the process
“Shaun, Andy, JJ, Max and all the team did a brilliant job replastering our whole house and converting the garage into a utility room, sewing room and storage space. Very competitive prices, polite and kept us informed at all times during the process. Took all the rubbish away with them and tidied up. They also did a great job putting right the botched work in my kitchen from another company. Would highly recommend. Thanks”
- Hazel McMillan, Google Review
5. Gosforth Homes
Address: 85, Grove Park Oval, Gosforth
Contact Details: +447399764659
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 8 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 3 PM
Gosforth Homes offers stylish, layout-driven developments that feel modern without being overly trend-focused. Their interiors are smart and functional, exactly the spaces that don’t need micromanaging.
They also offer specialised structural services, such as load-bearing wall removals and beam installations, even for heritage buildings. With over 25 years of combined experience in structural work, they’re confident in tackling complex layouts.
We like how they pair these services with end-to-end planning support, including site surveys. This helps with planning applications and direct coordination with local council authorities, taking a lot of admin off your plate early on.
Because they work closely with Newcastle-based suppliers, features like soft-close cabinetry, stone workshops, and large-format tiles can be customised to better suit the space.
The only real downside is that they don’t do client-led custom builds, so you’ll need to buy into their developments rather than bring your plot. While the finishes are premium, the mid-to-high pricing may not be suitable for those with a tighter budget.
Gives reassurance throughout the process
“After a recent single storey extension, including kitchen fitting we would like to say a huge thank you to the whole team at @Gosforthhomes, every single one of the lads has been fantastic and has helped turn our house into a beautiful family home. We would highly recommend to anyone looking to embark on a project – they kept us informed and reassured at every stage, helped find solutions when problems cropped up, delivered a great finish and were always friendly and up for a laugh as they did it. We are so delighted with all of it!!”
- Sarah Critchley, Google Review
Completed on time and of a great standard of work
“I recently decided to replace all of the UPVC windows and doors in my home. A friend of mine had previously used Gosforth Homes for a window replacement and was very impressed with the quality of the work. As a result of this recommendation I contacted Mike who was excellent from start to finish. From the initial measurements, advice on choices available and timescale involved – Mike was open, friendly and honest. The job was started punctually – both Mike and Andre worked tirelessly to ensure the job was completed on time and to a superb standard. All at an excellent price too. The end result is outstanding. Many thanks to Mike and Andre for their help – I would certainly recommend Gosforth Homes to anyone looking to replace windows and doors.”
- George Thompson, Google Review