10 Best Builders in Gillingham for 2026

🏗️ 10 businesses · 📍 Gillingham
✓ Reviewed regularly · ✓ Updated 7 September 2026
Mark Reid
Written by Mark Reid, Trades Editor · Verified 7 September 2026
Gillingham's housing stock is a real mix, which keeps its builders busy with all sorts of work. You've got Victorian terraces around the town centre, 1930s semis out towards Rainham and Twydall, and newer estates near Hempstead and Bredhurst with cavity walls and modern timber frames. That variety means a builder working here needs to be comfortable underpinning old brickwork one week and fitting insulation to current building regs the next. Loft conversions are popular given the number of terraced houses with usable roof space, and rear extensions are common too, especially where gardens back onto the old dockyard streets and there's room to extend without upsetting neighbours or planning officers.

The businesses featured on this page come from public business listings, ranked mainly by review rating and how many reviews they've built up, with a small boost given to those showing a proper working website and phone number. We read through each business's homepage ourselves to check that builders work is genuinely their main trade, not just something listed as a sideline. That step keeps loft specialists, kitchen fitters and unrelated trades from cluttering up a page that's meant to be about general building work. Any listing flagged as permanently closed gets removed automatically, so you shouldn't be calling round to firms that have shut up shop. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge next to a business, that firm has gone through our fuller 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 through that process with us, so it's down to you to check their credentials before signing anything.

Before you commit to a builder, ask to see their Gas Safe registration if boiler or gas pipework is involved, and check whether they're registered with a trade body like the FMB or NICEIC for electrical elements. Get written quotes, not verbal estimates, and make sure they cover materials, labour, waste removal and a rough timeline. Always ask for proof of public liability insurance, ideally at least £2 million cover, and check whether building control sign-off is included in the price for structural work like extensions or loft conversions. Getting two or three quotes for anything over a few hundred pounds is just sensible practice, not something to feel awkward about. It also gives you a decent sense of what's a fair price for the job rather than taking the first figure you're given.
How We Select & Rate The Best Builders in Gillingham

Rankings are based on review rating and review count from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses that show a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm builders work is what they primarily offer, keeping unrelated trades off this page. Permanently closed listings are removed automatically as we come across them. 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 of checks. Other businesses listed here have not been independently verified by us, and their inclusion isn't an endorsement. Do your own checks before hiring anyone.

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 →

Quick Comparison: Builders in Gillingham

Our Top Picks

1
A & A Construction & Surfacing Ltd
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (46 reviews)
Gillingham 01634 719686

Building and surfacing work in Gillingham is covered by A & A Construction & Surfacing Ltd, taking in general construction alongside driveways and hard landscaping. The firm has built a strong local record, reflected in a five star average across 46 Google reviews. Enquiries are handled directly through its website.

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2
Four Seasons Lofts Ltd
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (17 reviews)
Gillingham 01634 329064

A typical enquiry starts with a cramped upstairs and a family wondering whether the roof space could become a bedroom or office. Four Seasons Lofts Ltd, based in Gillingham, handles the structural work involved in loft conversions, from staircases to insulation and roof alterations. The firm holds a 5-star rating from 17 reviews.

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3
J Monks Property Services Ltd
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (9 reviews)
Gillingham 07702 331610

Much of J Monks Property Services Ltd's work in Gillingham involves extensions and renovations on older terraced and semi-detached houses, where existing structures need careful assessment before building work begins. The firm also takes on smaller domestic projects such as conversions and refurbishments. Nine reviews on Google have all given a five-star rating.

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4
HGE Field Engineering
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (8 reviews)
Gillingham 07772 250932

A perfect five-star record from eight reviews sets HGE Field Engineering apart among builders working in Gillingham. The firm takes on general building and construction projects, with client feedback pointing to consistency and care on site. That small but unblemished review count suggests a steady, word-of-mouth approach rather than high-volume turnover.

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5
Sensibuild Ltd
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (6 reviews)
Gillingham 07847 447077

Sensibuild Ltd works as a building contractor based in Gillingham, covering extensions, renovations and general building work for local clients. Six Google reviews give the firm a full five-star rating, suggesting a consistent standard on completed jobs. Enquiries can be made through the company's website for project specifics.

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6
Napwood Construction Ltd
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (5 reviews)
Gillingham 07591 484863

Extensions and loft conversions make up much of Napwood Construction's workload in Gillingham, alongside general building projects for local homeowners. The firm holds a perfect five-star record from its reviews so far. Based in the ME8 area, it takes on both structural work and smaller renovation jobs.

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7
VCA Surfacing & Construction ltd
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (3 reviews)
Gillingham 0800 193 2202

Groundworks and surfacing form the core of VCA Surfacing & Construction's work in Gillingham, covering driveways, patios and hard landscaping alongside general building projects. Based near ME8, the firm handles jobs from initial preparation through to finished surfaces, a combination that suits homeowners wanting one contractor for both structural and cosmetic work.

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8
WBS Loft Conversions Ltd
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (3 reviews)
Gillingham 07854 629224

WBS Loft Conversions Ltd works as a building firm in Gillingham, focused specifically on converting loft spaces into usable rooms. The work covers structural alterations, insulation and finishing needed to turn an attic into a bedroom, office or living area. Enquiries are handled through the company's own website rather than a general building service listing.

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9
WDF contracts limited
Not Verified
★★★★★ 5.0 (3 reviews)
Gillingham 07825 665257

Families across Gillingham needing building work carried out, from extensions to general repairs, can call on WDF Contracts Limited. The company operates locally within the ME7 area, taking on projects of varying scale for households wanting practical, straightforward solutions rather than elaborate design work.

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10
kent resin bound ltd
Not Verified
★★★★☆ 4.2 (5 reviews)
Gillingham 07421 181093

Resin bound driveways and pathways form the core of the work carried out by Kent Resin Bound Ltd, based in Gillingham. The firm lays permeable surfacing designed to resist puddles and weeds, an alternative to block paving or tarmac for homeowners wanting a smoother finish. Reviews currently average 4.2 from 5.

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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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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a builders cost in Gillingham?
It depends heavily on the job. A single-storey rear extension of around 20 square metres typically runs from £30,000 to £50,000 including materials, while a loft conversion with dormer might be £35,000 to £45,000 depending on plumbing and roofline changes. Smaller jobs like repointing a terrace front or fitting a new bathroom are more like £3,000 to £8,000. Prices in Gillingham tend to sit a bit below London rates but above some rural Kent areas, mainly due to demand and travel time for tradespeople. Always get two or three written quotes before deciding, since prices can vary by several thousand pounds for the same spec.
Do I need planning permission for an extension in Gillingham?
Many single-storey rear extensions fall under permitted development rights, so you might not need full planning permission, but there are limits on size, height and proximity to boundaries that Medway Council enforces. Loft conversions with dormers usually need planning permission if they face the street, and anything in a conservation area (parts of the town centre near the High Street) has tighter rules. It's worth checking with Medway Council's planning portal or asking your builder to handle the application, since a lot of established builders in the area have done this dozens of times and know what gets rejected.
How long does a loft conversion or extension take?
A straightforward loft conversion usually takes six to eight weeks from start to finish, assuming no structural surprises like weak joists or awkward roof pitches. Single-storey extensions tend to run eight to twelve weeks, longer if you're waiting on bespoke windows or bifold doors. Weather can push timelines back too, particularly for groundwork and roofing stages in winter months. Ask your builder for a realistic schedule with key milestones, like when foundations are poured or when the roof goes on, so you can track progress rather than just hoping it's on track.
Should I use a local Gillingham builder or one from further afield?
A local builder usually knows Medway Council's planning quirks, local building control officers, and even which streets have tricky clay soil or old dockyard foundations underneath. That local knowledge can save time and avoid costly surprises. They're also easier to visit mid-project if you want to check progress, and word-of-mouth reputation matters more when a builder works repeatedly in the same postcode areas like ME7 or ME8. That said, don't rule out firms from Chatham or Rainham if their reviews and portfolio suit your project better.
What certificates or paperwork should a builder provide?
For structural work, ask for building control sign-off or a completion certificate, which confirms the work meets current regulations. If gas appliances are involved, check for a Gas Safe certificate. Electrical work should come with a Part P certificate or an electrician's installation certificate. You should also get a written contract covering cost, payment stages, timeline and what happens if there are delays or extra costs. Keep copies of everything, including any warranty on materials like windows or roofing, in case you need to make a claim later.
How do I choose between builders on a list like this?
Start by reading recent reviews carefully, not just the star rating, since detailed comments about communication and tidiness tell you more than a number alone. Check whether a business has a working website with examples of past jobs similar to yours, and ring them to see how they handle questions before you've even signed anything. Ask for proof of insurance and relevant trade registrations directly, and don't be shy about requesting references from recent customers in Gillingham or nearby areas like Rainham and Chatham. If a badge on this page says Trust Verified, that means we've checked those things ourselves, but for any business without it, the responsibility sits with you to confirm qualifications, insurance and trading history before booking.