✓ Verified Google reviews·✓ Reviewed regularly·✓ Updated 29 May 2026
Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 29 May 2026
Cambridge is a city of contrasts when it comes to building work. You've got Georgian terraces in Newnham and Mill Road, Victorian bay-fronted semis across Romsey and Cherry Hinton, post-war estates in Arbury and Kings Hedges, and a steady wave of new-build development pushing out towards the Northstow and Waterbeach sites on the city's northern edge. That mix matters because builders here need to be comfortable switching between lime mortar and traditional brick-matching for a listed cottage in Grantchester one week, and structural steel and ICF blockwork for a modern extension in Trumpington the next. The clay-heavy ground conditions across much of the southern Cambridge area also mean that foundations and drainage details need careful thought, particularly on any rear-extension or outbuilding project where ground movement has caught out less experienced contractors.
The builders on this page were drawn from third-party business listings and ranked by public review rating and review count, with a small lift applied to businesses that show a working website and a phone number. Beyond that ranking, we check each business's homepage to confirm that builders work is what they primarily offer, which keeps unrelated trades off the page. Any listing flagged as permanently closed is removed automatically. Where you see a Trust Verified badge on a listing, that business has additionally passed our full verification process, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. You can find the full list of checks on our How We Verify page. For any business without that badge, those checks are something you'll need to carry out yourself before booking.
Before you commit to any builder, get at least three written quotes that break down labour and materials separately. Don't accept a single lump-sum figure without a proper schedule of works attached, because that's where disputes tend to start. Ask to see examples of completed projects in Cambridge, and specifically ask whether they've worked on properties with similar age and construction to yours. If your project touches gas appliances or electrical circuits, confirm that those elements will be handled by registered tradespeople and that the relevant certificates will be issued on completion. For larger projects, a staged payment plan tied to specific milestones is standard practice and protects both parties. Public liability insurance is non-negotiable, so ask for the certificate rather than just taking someone's word for it.
How We Select & Rate The Best Builders in Cambridge
Rankings on this page are driven by public review rating and review count pulled 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 is how unrelated trades are kept off the page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses displaying a 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. Other businesses listed here have not been independently verified by us, and inclusion is not an endorsement. Always do your own checks before hiring.
Positions 1–5 (Recommended and Featured) may be paid placements. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
CB1 Building and Carpentry provides comprehensive building and carpentry services throughout Cambridge and the CB1 area. The company has earned a 4.9-star rating from 53 verified customer reviews, reflecting their reliable approach to construction and carpentry projects. Based on Hemingford Road, they serve both residential and commercial clients across the local Cambridge area.
Latham Builders provides professional building services to customers across Cambridge from their base on Grantchester Road. The company has earned a 5-star rating from 15 verified customer reviews on Google, reflecting their commitment to quality workmanship. They serve the Cambridge area including the CB3 postcode and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The Daniels Group provides comprehensive building services throughout Cambridge, operating from their base on Cambridge Place. With a perfect 5-star rating from 15 verified customer reviews, they offer reliable construction and renovation work for residential and commercial clients across the CB2 area.
Foy Construction Cambridge provides building services across Cambridge from their base on Kings Hedges Road. The company has earned a 5-star rating from 10 verified customer reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality workmanship. They serve the Cambridge area with a range of construction and building projects for residential and commercial clients.
Fordham Restoration Ltd provides professional building services from their base at Barnwell Business Park in Cambridge. The company has earned a strong reputation with a 4.9-star rating from 9 verified customer reviews. They serve the Cambridge area from their CB5 location, offering reliable construction and restoration work for local clients.
Holton Construction Ltd operates as a building contractor serving Cambridge from their base on Godesdone Road. The company handles construction projects across the CB5 area and surrounding Cambridge localities. With a 5-star rating from 3 verified customer reviews, they maintain a strong reputation for their building work.
Palms Construction provides building services to clients in Cambridge and the surrounding CB1 area. The company maintains a perfect 5-star rating from 3 verified customer reviews on Google. Based on Walpole Road, they offer construction work for residential and commercial projects throughout the local region.
Covering extensions, renovations, and new builds, Camb City Construction operates across Cambridge and the surrounding area. The company focuses on residential and commercial projects, working within the CB1 postcode and neighbouring districts. Clients can find further details on the work undertaken through the company website.
RAH Building Limited operates as a construction company serving Cambridge and the surrounding areas from their base on Newmarket Road. The firm handles various building projects for residential and commercial clients throughout the CB5 postcode area and beyond. With a Google rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 5 verified customer reviews, they maintain a solid reputation for their construction services.
Transparency notice: Recommended (#1) and Featured (positions 2-5) listings may be paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears in those positions. 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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Day rates for skilled builders in Cambridge typically range from £200-350, depending on specialisation and experience. Single-storey extensions start around £15,000-25,000, whilst two-storey extensions can cost £25,000-50,000 or more. Loft conversions generally run £20,000-40,000. Prices vary based on materials, access difficulties, and planning requirements. Always get two or three detailed quotes to compare properly.
Do Cambridge builders need special planning knowledge?
Yes, Cambridge has extensive conservation areas and many listed buildings, particularly around the city centre and Newnham. Builders working on Period properties need experience with planning applications, listed building consent, and conservation officer requirements. They should understand permitted development rights and Article 4 directions that affect many Cambridge streets.
How long do building projects typically take in Cambridge?
Single-storey extensions usually take 8-12 weeks once started. Two-storey extensions can take 12-16 weeks. Loft conversions typically require 6-8 weeks. However, Cambridge's planning process can add 8-13 weeks before work begins, and conservation area applications often take longer. Factor in potential delays from listed building requirements or neighbour consultations.
What insurance should Cambridge builders carry?
All builders should have public liability insurance of at least £2 million, with many carrying £6 million coverage. They need employer's liability insurance if they have staff. Check their policy covers the specific work type and ask to see current certificates. Some also carry professional indemnity insurance, particularly useful for design-and-build projects.
Can builders help with Cambridge planning applications?
Many experienced builders can guide you through planning requirements and recommend architectural designers or planning consultants. However, they can't usually submit applications themselves unless they have specific qualifications. They should understand local planning policies, particularly around the historic areas, and know which projects need full planning permission versus permitted development.
How can I verify a builder's credentials and reliability?
Check their Companies House registration and trading history. Ask for recent customer references and actually ring them. Look at their Google reviews over the past two years, not just recent ones. Verify their insurance certificates directly with insurers. Check any trade association memberships. Visit current job sites if possible, and always get detailed written quotes before committing to anything.
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