Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 8 September 2026
Bath's housing stock throws up problems most builders elsewhere rarely see. You've got Georgian terraces around Camden Crescent and Bathwick with lime mortar and shallow foundations, Victorian villas on the slopes above Widcombe that need underpinning knowledge, and newer estates out towards Odd Down or Combe Down where standard extension work is more straightforward. Add in the fact that much of the city sits within a conservation area, and often on or near limestone that's been mined for centuries, and you can see why a builder who's worked on a barn conversion in the Cotswolds doesn't automatically know how to handle a listed townhouse near the Circus. Planning restrictions here are tighter than in most UK cities, so local experience with Bath and North East Somerset Council's conservation officers genuinely matters.
The businesses featured on this page come from public business listings, ranked mainly by review rating and how many reviews they've got, with a small boost for those showing a working website and phone number. We check each firm's homepage ourselves to confirm building work is actually their main trade, which stops plumbers, electricians or general handymen sneaking onto a builders list. Listings that show as permanently closed get stripped out automatically. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone further and passed our full verification, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information. Our How We Verify page sets out exactly what that involves. Businesses without the badge haven't been checked by us in that depth, so it's on you to do that homework before signing anything.
Before you commit to a builder, ask to see their Public Liability Insurance certificate and check it's current, not expired last winter. For anything structural, request details of their Building Regulations sign-off process, and for extensions or loft conversions, ask who's handling the structural calculations and whether that's included in the quote. Get written quotes from at least two or three firms, not just a rough verbal figure, and make sure each one covers the same scope of work so you're comparing like for like. Ask about start dates too. A builder who can start next week when everyone else is quoting three months out is sometimes worth a second look, for the wrong reasons.
How We Select & Rate The Best Builders in Bath
Rankings are based on review rating and review count pulled from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses showing a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm building work is genuinely their main trade, which keeps unrelated services off this page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified have additionally passed our full verification, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information; see our How We Verify page for the complete list. Other businesses here haven't been independently verified by us, and inclusion isn't an endorsement. Do 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 →
Enquiries often begin with a period property in Bath that needs repair work sympathetic to its original materials, whether that's stone repointing, timber replacement or extending without clashing with the existing structure. Bath Heritage Building Ltd works on these projects across the city, and its 5-star rating from 15 reviews reflects the care taken with older buildings.
Building and renovation work in Bath is handled by Marptree Design & Build, covering projects from structural alterations to full refurbishments. The firm combines design and construction under one roof, which keeps clients dealing with a single point of contact throughout. A 4.3 rating from 29 reviews reflects consistent delivery across the jobs it has taken on.
Bath and the surrounding BA2 area are served by The Ugly Duckling Building Company, taking on general building projects from extensions to renovations. Eleven reviews on Google have left the firm with a full five-star rating, a modest sample but a consistent one.
Families extending period properties around Bath turn to Larchmont Construction for loft conversions, kitchen extensions and structural alterations. The firm holds a five-star rating from nine reviews, reflecting steady work across the BA1 area. Projects are scoped and delivered with attention to the constraints typical of the city's older housing stock.
General building work in Bath is the focus at MC Construction, covering extensions, renovations and structural projects for local clients. Nine reviews on Google have returned a full five-star rating, reflecting consistency across completed jobs. The firm operates within the BA2 area, taking on domestic building work from planning stage through to finish.
Crossman Homes works on new build residential developments around Bath, taking projects from groundwork through to finished properties ready for occupation. The firm handles the full construction process rather than smaller renovation jobs, reflecting its focus on delivering complete homes. It holds a 4.4 rating from 11 reviews.
General building work in Bath is handled by Erwood & Morris Ltd, covering everything from renovations to structural repairs. Reviewers rate the firm 4.2 from 5, reflecting steady standards on smaller residential jobs. Details of past work and contact information are listed on the company's website.
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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It varies a lot depending on the job. A single-storey rear extension of around 20 to 30 square metres typically runs from £35,000 to £60,000 in Bath, partly because conservation area requirements often mean matching Bath stone or reclaimed materials, which costs more than standard brick. A loft conversion sits roughly between £30,000 and £50,000 depending on whether you need a dormer and how the roof structure works. Smaller jobs like a garden wall rebuild or a kitchen extension might be £8,000 to £15,000. Always get two or three written quotes rather than relying on one, since prices for the same job can genuinely differ by thousands between firms.
Do I need planning permission for building work in Bath?
A lot of Bath falls within a conservation area, and some properties are listed buildings, so the usual permitted development rights don't always apply. Extensions, roof changes and even some internal work can need planning permission or listed building consent that you wouldn't need elsewhere. Check with Bath and North East Somerset Council's planning portal before you start, and ask your builder whether they've handled conservation area applications before. A good one will know the local planning officers and what tends to get approved.
How long does a house extension take in Bath?
A single-storey extension usually takes 10 to 16 weeks once work starts on site, though that's after planning permission and building regulations approval, which can add several months before anyone picks up a tool. Loft conversions tend to run 6 to 8 weeks. Weather can slow groundwork and roofing, and older Bath properties sometimes reveal surprises once walls are opened up, like unexpected damp or old pipework that needs rerouting, so build some contingency time into your schedule.
Should I use a local Bath builder or one from further afield?
Local knowledge counts for a lot here. Builders who work regularly in Bath understand the conservation area rules, know which merchants stock matching Bath stone, and have existing relationships with the council's planning department. A firm based in Bristol or further out might quote competitively but won't necessarily know the quirks of a Bathwick townhouse or a Widcombe terrace. It's not a dealbreaker, but ask about their experience with similar properties in the city specifically.
What certificates should a builder provide after the work is finished?
For any structural work, you should get a Building Regulations Completion Certificate from the council or an approved inspector. If gas or electrical work was involved, ask for a Gas Safe certificate or an electrical installation certificate from a qualified contractor, even if the builder subcontracted that part. Keep copies of everything, including any warranties on materials like roofing felt or windows, as you'll need them if you sell the property later.
How do I check a builder is trustworthy before booking?
Ask to see their Public Liability Insurance certificate directly rather than taking their word for it, and check the policy dates are current. Look up their company registration on Companies House if they trade as a limited company, and search their name alongside 'reviews' to see what past customers say beyond the reviews on their own website. Ask for two or three references from recent jobs, ideally ones similar in scope to yours, and actually ring them. If a business has a Trust Verified badge on this page, that means they've passed a fuller check on our end covering qualifications, insurance and trading history, but for anyone without it, doing this legwork yourself before you sign a contract is worth the hour it takes.
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