Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 31 October 2026
Aberdeen's building trade has its own particular character, shaped by the city's granite heritage and the practical demands of the North-east climate. A huge proportion of the housing stock is built from or clad in local grey granite, which looks magnificent but requires specialist knowledge when it comes to repairs, repointing, or matching new sections to old. Beyond the traditional tenements of areas like Rosemount and the Victorian villas of Rubislaw Den, you've also got a wave of more recent housing across expanding suburbs like Westhill, Portlethen, and Bridge of Don, where builders are handling everything from timber-frame repairs to full rear extensions on 1990s and 2000s detached houses. Extensions typically run from around £1,500 to £2,500 per square metre depending on finish, and full refurbishments of a granite mid-terrace can vary enormously depending on the extent of damp ingress and the condition of the original lath-and-plaster walls.
The businesses on this page are drawn from third-party public business listings and ranked by review rating and review count, with a small lift applied to those that show a working website and phone number. Before featuring any listing, we check each business's homepage to confirm that builders work is what they primarily offer, which is how unrelated trades are kept off the page. Any listing flagged as permanently closed is removed automatically. Where you see a Trust Verified badge on a business, that firm has gone further and passed our full independent verification, which covers trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. You can see the complete checklist on our How We Verify page. For any business that doesn't carry that badge, those checks haven't been carried out by us, and it's on you to do them before you commit to anything.
Before you sign anything or hand over a deposit, there are a few straightforward things worth doing. Get at least three written quotes that break down materials and labour separately rather than quoting a single lump sum, because that makes it much easier to compare like for like. Ask any builder you're seriously considering for proof of public liability insurance and, where relevant, copies of any trade body memberships or accreditations they mention. For work involving structural alterations, check whether Building Warrant approval is required through Aberdeen City Council before work starts, not after. If a new boiler or central heating work is part of the scope, that element needs to be handled by a Gas Safe registered engineer. And don't underestimate the value of speaking to previous customers directly. A reputable builder won't hesitate to put you in touch with someone local whose project you can actually go and look at.
How We Select & Rate The Best Builders in Aberdeen
Rankings on this page are driven by public review rating and review count sourced from third-party business listings, with a small lift applied to businesses that have a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm that builders work is what they primarily offer, which keeps unrelated trades off the page. Permanently closed listings are removed automatically. Businesses displaying the Trust Verified badge have additionally passed our full verification covering qualifications, insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. See our How We Verify page for the full list. All other businesses on this page have not been independently verified by us, and inclusion is not an endorsement. Always carry out your own checks before hiring.
Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
Roze Homes Ltd provides building services to clients across Aberdeen. The company handles various construction projects, delivering building work throughout the Aberdeen region.
Marcin The Joiner Ltd provides professional building and joinery services throughout Aberdeen. Serving both residential and commercial clients, they handle a range of construction and carpentry projects across the city.
Peter Construction provides building services throughout Aberdeen, delivering reliable construction work for residential and commercial clients. The company is committed to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.
Vimar Property Contract provides building services from their base in Bucksburn, Aberdeen. They serve the Aberdeen area, offering construction and building work to local clients.
Burns Construction Aberdeen Ltd provides building services from their base in Aberdeen city centre. The company serves clients across Aberdeen and the surrounding areas, handling various construction projects for local residential and commercial customers.
North Offshore Ltd provides building services in Aberdeen and surrounding regions. Their established presence in Aberdeen positions them to handle various construction and building projects for local clients.
A.D.I Builders provides professional landscaping services to clients across Aberdeen. They offer comprehensive landscaping solutions for residential and commercial properties throughout the local area.
Improvement Pro Ltd provides professional bathroom fitting services to customers across Aberdeen. They serve surrounding neighbourhoods too, helping homeowners transform their bathroom spaces.
Granite Builders Aberdeen specialises in bathroom fitting services across Aberdeen and surrounding areas, covering bathroom installations and refurbishments. Their experienced team serves residential and commercial clients throughout the Aberdeen area.
AGM Construction Aberdeen Ltd provides professional bathroom fitting services throughout Aberdeen from their base in Torry. They specialise in complete bathroom installations and renovations for residential properties across the Aberdeen area.
Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →
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Daily rates for qualified tradesmen range from £200-350, whilst larger projects vary enormously. A single-storey rear extension typically costs £15,000-25,000, with granite or harling work commanding premium rates. Bathroom renovations run £8,000-15,000, whilst full house renovations can reach £80,000+ depending on the property size and specification. Always get two or three detailed quotes as prices vary significantly between contractors.
Do Aberdeen builders need special skills for granite buildings?
Yes, working with Aberdeen's granite requires specialist knowledge and tools. Not all builders have experience with lime mortar pointing, granite repairs, or the thermal bridging issues common in older stone buildings. Check your contractor has worked on similar properties and can show examples of granite restoration work. Some jobs need specialist stone masons rather than general builders.
What building regulations apply for Aberdeen extensions?
Aberdeen City Council enforces strict planning and building standards, particularly around conservation areas like Old Aberdeen. Most extensions need building warrants, whilst some require full planning permission. Your builder should guide you through the process, but it's worth checking their experience with local authority submissions. Building warrant fees start around £200-400 depending on project value.
How long do building projects take in Aberdeen?
Weather delays are common due to Aberdeen's exposed coastal location, particularly between October and March. A typical single-storey extension takes 8-12 weeks once started, whilst full renovations can run 4-6 months. Factor in 4-8 weeks for building warrant approval before work begins. Good builders build weather contingency into their schedules and communicate delays promptly.
What insurance should Aberdeen builders carry?
Public liability insurance of £2 million minimum is standard, with many carrying £5-6 million cover. Employers' liability insurance is legally required if they employ staff. For larger projects, ask about professional indemnity cover. Some builders offer warranty schemes through NHBC or similar bodies. Always verify insurance certificates are current before work begins.
How do I verify a builder's credentials in Aberdeen?
Check Companies House for active trading status and filed accounts. Verify insurance certificates by calling the insurer directly. Look up any trade body memberships (Federation of Master Builders, CITB, etc.) on official websites. Ask for recent customer references and actually contact them. Check their previous work addresses on Google Street View if possible, and always get detailed written quotes before committing.
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