Business Details
Trusted Construction Specialists in Hertford
Ekins Builders has established a reputation for delivering high-quality construction work across public and private sectors since the early 19th century. Our expertise spans residential, commercial, educational, and ecclesiastical projects, with a particular specialism in listed and historic buildings. A skilled permanent site team, combined with close management controls and long-standing relationships with subcontractors, ensures consistent quality and professionalism. We pride ourselves on resolving challenges efficiently while maintaining traditional craftsmanship and meeting modern standards. Our repeat business from architects and clients reflects our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. Based in Hertford, we primarily serve Hertfordshire and north London, offering full design-and-build support through in-house contracts managers and surveyors.With decades of collective experience, our team provides technical expertise and practical knowledge to every project. We work directly with clients or their design teams to transform concepts into reality, adhering to strict safety and quality protocols. Our portfolio includes award-winning commercial projects like Essendonbury Farm and extensive work with educational institutions requiring minimal disruption during construction. This legacy of trust and craftsmanship continues under current leadership, building on over two centuries of industry expertise.
Services
Residential Construction
Commercial Projects
Educational Buildings
Ecclesiastical Renovations
Listed Building Work
Highlights and features
- We have over 200 years of combined experience in traditional construction methods
- Our team holds specialist expertise in listed building renovations
- We maintain long-standing partnerships with trusted subcontractors and architects
- Award-winning work recognised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
- We implement rigorous quality control and client communication protocols
Associations and certifications
- RICS
What people say
Excellent workmanship
Professional approach
Reliable and efficient
Traditional skills
On-time delivery
Services
Residential Construction
We deliver complete residential projects from new builds to extensions and renovations. Our team works directly with homeowners or through design teams to transform concepts into high-quality living spaces. Specialising in listed properties, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern requirements to create homes that exceed expectations while preserving historical integrity.
Commercial Projects
Our commercial construction services cover industrial units, office conversions, and commercial renovations. We minimise disruption to existing operations through careful planning and regular progress updates. Recent projects include award-winning developments like Essendonbury Farm, demonstrating our ability to deliver quality commercial spaces that meet both functional and aesthetic requirements.
Educational Buildings
We specialise in school and college projects requiring strict safety protocols and minimal disruption to teaching schedules. Our DBS-checked team works with educational institutions on refurbishments, extensions, and new builds, often collaborating with specialist subcontractors. Recent projects include facilities at Haileybury College and Central School of Speech & Drama, completed on time with full compliance to institutional requirements.
Ecclesiastical Renovations
Our experts handle renovations and extensions of churches and other ecclesiastical buildings using traditional materials like lime mortars and oak timber. We work closely with conservation officers and heritage organisations to maintain historical accuracy while implementing necessary modernisations. Projects include St Albans Abbey and United Reform Church, completed with full adherence to religious and heritage specifications.
Listed Building Work
We specialise in preserving and adapting Grade II listed buildings including barns, houses, and churches. Our team uses traditional construction techniques to maintain architectural integrity while meeting modern standards. Regularly recommended by East Herts Conservation Officers, we ensure all works comply with heritage regulations while delivering functional, contemporary spaces within historic structures.
People
George Ekins
Founder
Established the original building company in the early 19th century, creating a legacy of quality construction across Hertfordshire and the Home Counties.
Phil Davies
Director
Brings extensive construction industry experience, maintaining high standards across all projects while managing key client relationships and architectural partnerships.
Edward Norman
Director
Oversees project execution with decades of practical knowledge, ensuring efficient problem resolution and adherence to quality benchmarks across residential and commercial developments.
Keith Barrett
Team Member
Contributes specialist construction skills with a focus on traditional techniques, supporting both new builds and complex renovations of historic properties.
Fred Norman
Former Owner
Led the business until retirement, establishing its reputation for quality workmanship before transitioning operations to the current management team.
Questions
What types of construction projects do you specialise in?
We specialise in residential, commercial, educational, and ecclesiastical projects with particular expertise in listed and historic buildings.
Do you work outside Hertfordshire?
While based in Hertford, we regularly work across north London and occasionally take on specialist projects beyond our primary service area.
Can you handle projects requiring listed building consent?
Yes, we have extensive experience working with conservation officers and heritage organisations on Grade II listed properties and other protected structures.
How do you manage projects with occupied premises?
We implement careful planning, regular updates, and safety protocols to minimise disruption while maintaining project timelines and quality standards.
Do you offer design-and-build packages?
Yes, we provide complete design-and-build solutions through our in-house team and trusted architectural partnerships for seamless project delivery.
What quality assurances do you provide?
We maintain rigorous quality control through experienced site management, regular inspections, and working only with approved subcontractors and materials.
