✓ Verified Google reviews·✓ Reviewed regularly·✓ Updated 29 May 2026
Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 29 May 2026
Cardiff's housing stock is genuinely varied, and that matters when you're looking for a builder. The city's inner suburbs, Roath, Cathays, Canton, and Pontcanna, are packed with Victorian and Edwardian terraces where party walls, solid brick construction, and narrow side access shape how any extension or renovation gets done. Further out, areas like Llanishen, Lisvane, and Cyncoed have more detached and semi-detached postwar homes with larger plots, making rear extensions and loft conversions more straightforward but no less specialist. Cardiff's underlying geology, particularly the clay-heavy soils across much of the north and east of the city, means foundations need careful thought, and any builder worth hiring locally will know this. Whether you need someone to gut and rebuild a Victorian bathroom in Splott, add a single-storey kitchen extension in Whitchurch, or carry out a full structural renovation on a bay-fronted terrace in Pontcanna, the right builder makes an enormous difference to the result and the process.
The businesses listed on this page were drawn from third-party public business listings and ranked by their public review rating and review count, with a small lift applied to businesses that show a working website and a live phone number. We read each business's homepage to confirm that builders work is what they primarily offer, which is how unrelated trades get kept 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 see the full list of what that check covers on our How We Verify page. Businesses without that badge have not been independently verified by us, and you'll need to carry out those checks yourself before booking.
Before you commit to any builder, get at least three written quotes and make sure each one breaks down labour and materials separately so you're comparing like for like. Ask to see proof of public liability insurance and check that it covers the full value of the work. For structural projects, confirm whether the work requires Building Regulations approval and who will manage the application. If a party wall is involved, you'll need a Party Wall Agreement in place before work starts. Ask for references from recent similar jobs and, if you can, visit a completed project. A reputable builder won't mind the questions.
How We Select & Rate The Best Builders in Cardiff
Rankings on this page are driven by public review rating and review count from third-party business listings, with a small lift for businesses showing a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm that builders work is what they primarily offer, keeping unrelated trades off the page. Permanently-closed listings are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified 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 complete list. Other businesses on this page 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 →
Muscle, Stone & Brick Solutions provides comprehensive building services throughout Cardiff from their base on Llanbedr Road. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 67 verified customer reviews, reflecting their consistent approach to construction projects across the CF5 area and surrounding districts. Their expertise covers a full range of building work, from residential extensions to commercial renovations.
Bull & Sons Groundwork and Developments provides building and construction services from their Cardiff base on Newport Road. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 26 verified Google reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality workmanship across the CF23 area and surrounding Cardiff neighbourhoods.
MCS Construction & Developments provides building services across Cardiff from their base on Major Road. The company has earned a 5/5 star rating from 16 verified customer reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality construction work. They serve clients throughout the Cardiff area, handling various building projects with professional expertise.
Rejuvenate Groundworks Development Group Limited provides building and construction services from their Cardiff base, serving the CF11 area and surrounding neighbourhoods. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 15 verified customer reviews on Google, reflecting their reliable approach to groundworks and building projects. Their established presence in Cardiff makes them a trusted choice for residential and commercial construction needs.
C James Carpentry and Construction Ltd provides building and construction services throughout Cardiff, combining traditional carpentry skills with comprehensive construction expertise. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 14 verified customer reviews on Google. Their services cover both carpentry work and broader construction projects for residential and commercial clients in the Cardiff area.
Mark James Building Contractors Ltd provides professional building services throughout Cardiff from their base on Cyncoed Road. The company has earned a 4.9/5 star rating from 11 verified customer reviews, reflecting their reliable approach to construction projects. They serve the CF23 area and surrounding Cardiff neighbourhoods with comprehensive building contractor services.
Sphinx Constructions Ltd provides building services throughout Cardiff from their base in Maindy. The company has earned a 4.9/5 star rating based on 9 verified customer reviews. They serve the local area with construction work whilst maintaining their website at sphinxgroup.uk for client information.
Reid Building Limited provides professional building services throughout Cardiff from their base on Aberporth Road. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 7 verified customer reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. They serve the CF14 area and surrounding Cardiff neighbourhoods with reliable construction and building solutions.
Residential and commercial clients across Cardiff turn to Ash Installations and Construction for building work ranging from small alterations to larger construction projects. Based in CF24, the company holds a 4.0 Google rating from 27 reviews. Ash IC covers the practical end of the trade, taking on the kind of work that keeps homes and commercial premises functional and well maintained.
Camilleri Construction Limited provides professional building services throughout Cardiff from their base in CF24. The company has earned a solid reputation with a 4.4-star rating from 14 verified customer reviews. Their experienced team handles various construction projects for residential and commercial clients across the local area.
ABN Construction Ltd provides building services from their Cardiff base on Colum Road, serving the CF10 area and surrounding districts. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 5 verified customer reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality workmanship. Their team handles various construction projects for residential and commercial clients throughout Cardiff.
Aldrebeconstruction provides building services across Cardiff, operating from their base in CF23. With a 4.6/5 star rating from 11 verified customer reviews, they handle construction projects for residential and commercial clients throughout the area.
JEP Extensions & Brickwork provides building services including extensions and brickwork from their Cardiff base, serving the CF11 area and surrounding districts. The company has earned a 5-star rating from 3 verified customer reviews on Google. Their website at jepbrickwork.com offers further details about their construction and masonry services.
Dragon Construction Ltd operates as a building contractor serving Cardiff and the surrounding areas from their base in Canton. The company has earned a 4.2 out of 5 star rating from 10 verified customer reviews on Google. They handle various construction projects for residential and commercial clients throughout the CF11 postcode area and beyond.
Atlantic Construction provides building services across Cardiff from their base on St Fagans Road. The company maintains a 4.2-star rating from 5 verified customer reviews. They serve the CF5 area and surrounding Cardiff neighbourhoods with construction expertise.
Knox & Wells Ltd provides building services across Cardiff from their base in CF14. The company has earned a 4-star rating from 4 verified customer reviews on Google. They operate from Creswell House on Field Way, offering construction and building solutions to clients throughout the local area.
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 →
Is your business missing?
Get listed and reach customers actively searching for your services in this area.
Expect to pay £150-250 per day for general building work, with skilled trades like bricklaying commanding £200-300 daily. Small jobs like repair work start around £80-120 for half-day callouts. Extension work typically runs £1,200-1,800 per square metre depending on specification. Kitchen and bathroom refits range from £8,000-25,000. Always get two or three detailed quotes as prices vary significantly based on materials, access, and complexity.
Do I need planning permission for building work in Cardiff?
Single-storey rear extensions under 6 metres (terraced houses) or 8 metres (detached/semi-detached) usually fall under permitted development rights. However, Cardiff has numerous conservation areas where different rules apply. Properties in Llandaff, parts of Roath, and city centre require planning permission for most external changes. Check Cardiff Council's planning portal or consult your builder - many handle planning applications as part of their service.
How long do typical building projects take in Cardiff?
Bathroom refits take 1-2 weeks, kitchen installations 2-3 weeks, and single-storey extensions 6-12 weeks depending on size. Weather delays are common during Cardiff's wet winter months, particularly for roofing and external work. Factor in extra time for conservation area approvals and Welsh Water connections if you're extending drainage. Most builders book 4-8 weeks ahead during busy spring and summer periods.
What insurance should my builder have?
All builders must carry public liability insurance of at least £2 million - this covers damage to your property and injury to third parties. For structural work, look for contractors with professional indemnity insurance covering design defects. If they're doing electrical or gas work, check their Part P certification or Gas Safe registration respectively. Always ask to see current insurance certificates before work starts.
What's the difference between builders and specialist contractors?
General builders handle structural work, basic plumbing, tiling, and carpentry but subcontract electrical and gas work to certified specialists. Specialist contractors focus on single trades - electricians, plumbers, roofers - and often charge premium rates but offer deeper expertise. For complex projects like full renovations, a main contractor coordinates all trades. For simple repairs, direct specialist hire is usually more cost-effective.
How do I verify a builder's credentials and reputation?
Check Companies House for active trading status and financial health. Look for membership of trade bodies like the Federation of Master Builders or Trustmark scheme. Read Google Reviews focusing on recent detailed feedback rather than just star ratings. Ask for references from jobs completed in the last 12 months and drive past to see the quality. Verify insurance certificates directly with insurers and check Gas Safe registration online if they're doing heating work.
Related Guides
More independently researched rankings you might find useful
