Grays · Thurrock · Essex-wide · 35 Years Combined Experience
Premium Home Builds.
Honest Family Service.
Across Essex.
One trusted Essex team handling extensions, full refurbishments, loft conversions and luxury garden rooms. We aim to respond within 24 hours. Fixed written quotes.
- We aim to respond within 24 hours
- Free written quote
- Family-run · Checkatrade verified member
Free Quote · 24-Hour Response
Why 1st Class
A Builder You Can
Actually Get Hold Of.
Most Essex builders disappear the day the deposit clears. 1st Class runs differently — direct contact with the owner, fixed written quotes, tight programmes and a tidy site every single day.
Family-Run, Owner-Led
You speak to the family direct — calls go straight to Billy, Tommy or a family member. No call centres, no being passed down a chain.
24-Hour Response
We aim to respond within 24 hours. Site survey booked inside the week, written quote in your inbox within 48 hours of the visit.
Built To Last
35 years of combined hands-on Essex building experience. Proper foundations, breathable build-ups and tanked wet rooms — the details that decide whether a job lasts five years or fifty.
One-Stop Construction Group
Your Complete
Construction Partner —
From Plans To Final Sign-Off.
1st Class is a one-stop construction group. Architectural and structural drawings (through our partners at NSP Architecture), planning applications and approvals, building control, pricing, the full build and final sign-off — all handled under one roof.
You speak to one team from the first phone call through to the day the inspector signs the job off. Everything in writing — a clear, signed contract between both parties is in place before any deposit is taken or work begins.
- Architectural & structural drawings
- Planning applications & approvals
- Building control coordinated
- Fixed written pricing & contract
- Full build, in-house trades
- Final sign-off & handover pack
What We Build
Ten Trades.
One Phone Number.
Extensions
Single, two-storey & wrap-around extensions across Essex.
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Cladding
Composite, timber and render cladding by our specialist in-house team.
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Luxury Garden Rooms
Bespoke garden rooms, studios and outdoor offices.
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Refurbishments
Whole-house refurbishments — strip back, rebuild, sign-off.
Learn MoreLoft Conversions
Dormers, hip-to-gable and full L-shape loft conversions.
Learn MoreLandscaping
Front and rear garden builds, walls, levels and planting.
Learn MoreNew Build Homes
Ground-up new build homes — foundations to handover.
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Driveways & Patios
Block paving, porcelain patios and resin-bound driveways.
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Bathroom & Kitchen
Full bathroom and kitchen renovations, plumbed and signed off.
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Structural Repairs
Structural alterations, steels, lintels and subsidence work.
Learn MoreHow It Works
Five Steps, One Team.
Plans, planning, pricing, build, sign-off — all handled in-house.
01
Plans & Design
Architectural and structural drawings via our NSP Architecture partnership — or we work to plans you already have.
02
Planning & Approvals
We prepare and submit the planning application, deal with the council and chase the approval through.
03
Pricing & Contract
Fixed written quote, usually within 48 hours of survey. A clear, signed contract before any deposit is taken.
04
Build
One accountable team on site — foundations through to second fix and decoration, on a dated programme.
05
Building Control Sign-Off
We host inspections at every stage and hand you the completion certificate and full handover pack.
Our Work — Projects
A look at recent projects
Extensions, garden rooms, kitchens and new builds delivered across Essex by Billy, Tommy and the team.
Our Work — Before & After
Drag to see before & after
Real Essex projects, start to finish. Slide the handle on each image to reveal how the property looked before we got hands-on.
BeforeAfter
Two-storey rear extension with dormer & bifolds — Essex
BeforeAfter
Luxury garden room build — Essex
BeforeAfter
Rear extension replacing old conservatory — Essex
BeforeAfter
Garden landscaping, patio & fencing — Essex
Our Work — On Site
See Our Work
In Action.
A look at some of our recent projects across Essex.
Service Areas
Grays-Based.
Essex Covered.
Based on Malvern Road, Grays — working across Thurrock, the A127 corridor and into Romford, Hornchurch and the wider Essex region.
What Clients Say
Reputation Built
The Hard Way.
Real words from real customers on Google. For independently verified ratings and recent photos, see our Checkatrade profile.
"Absolutely the best building firm I have ever used. Clean, tidy, professional from day one till the end of the job. Billy and his son Tommy were always in contact letting me know what was happening and making sure I was happy."
Shaun Mills
Google · 3 years ago
"Cannot recommend 1st Class Cladding and Building enough. They are brilliant — so reliable, professional and helpful. The only building firm I would recommend to friends and family!"
Katy Brown
Google · 3 years ago
"Best service I've received from any builder. Can't recommend Billy and his team enough. Very very good and very reasonable."
Michael O'Connell
Google · 2 years ago · Local Guide
Opens checkatrade.com in a new tab.
Questions
Straight
Answers.
Got something specific? Call 07802 209143 — You speak to the family direct.
Which areas of Essex do you cover?+
We're based in Grays and cover Essex and the surrounding areas. For larger projects, we're happy to travel further afield — just get in touch to check.
How quickly can you respond to an enquiry?+
We aim to respond within 24 hours. Call during working hours Monday to Friday and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Site surveys are typically booked inside the same week.
Do you provide fixed written quotes?+
Yes — every job goes out as a fully itemised written quote following a site visit. No vague day rates, no surprise extras.
Are you a Checkatrade member?+
Yes — 1st Class Cladding & Building Ltd is a verified Checkatrade member. You can view our profile and verified customer reviews on Checkatrade.
Do you handle building control and planning?+
Yes — as part of the service we manage planning applications and approvals, then host building control inspections through to final sign-off. Architectural and structural drawings are done in partnership with NSP Architecture.
What's your typical lead time for an extension?+
Typically a minimum of around 2 months from signed contract to on-site start. Site surveys can usually be arranged within the same week, with a fixed written quote usually following within 48 hours of the visit. Larger jobs may need a little longer.
Ready When You Are
Tell Us About
Your Project.
Free site survey from your local Essex builders. We aim to respond within 24 hours. Fixed written quote — no hard sell.