Association of Master Tradesmen Reviews 

I contacted the Federation of Master Tradesmen (FMT) for recommendations for local builders to carry out substantial building work we planned to carry out on our home. The project involved constructing a two-story extension, conversion of a garage into a utility room, bathroom and storage area. We also wanted to carry out substantial internal configuration.

I had numerous referrals and following a vetting and tendering process I eventually selected Hurn Builders Ltd, a company based in South Wales. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

The MD David Hurn is a highly experience builder, he has worked in the industry for many years. He is a plasterer by trade but can turn his hand to anything. He has a highly skilled team of professional tradesmen supporting him. It was clear that he had handpicked this team over many years. They were all highly skilled and got on with their work quietly and efficiently. They worked under David’s supervision, it was evident that he had a good rapport with all of them. There was however only one man in charge which was David who has exceptional organisational skills.

Throughout the project David and his team were punctual, courteous and respectful to our neighbours. They did not miss a day throughout the build despite some horrendous weather. Because of the substantial amount of work involved there were times when my wife and I had to vacate the premises but David kept this to a minimum by working around us even setting up a temporary kitchen for us to use. We went on holiday and left the keys to the house with him as he was so trustworthy.

I am exceptionally pleased with the outcome. The project was designed by an architect with David taking responsibility for the finished project. He has delivered a truly beautiful modern home. The finishing is exceptional, the tiling throughout the house has been done to a very high standard from the large UFH flooring in the extension area through to the ensuite in the bedrooms.

I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Hurn Builders, they are excellent at what they do. I give them 10 out of 10!

L C Hill.

As first time home improvers we have found the information, help and support from you so important to educate and guide us through the early stages of our build. The builders you supplied, though all different in style, worked around our difficult hours to visit, look into our project and supplied fair quotes. Each person asked different questions, shared their experience and knowledge which again has helped us enormously to get up to speed and to really get into the detail in our thoughts as to what we want our project to be for us.
We particularly want to thank Esme who has been amazing throughout. She has always kept in contact to see where we are in our journey. She is easy to talk too, has liased with builders on our behalf when we couldn't, and answered any questions we had by sending information and offering advice.
I know she would be there if I needed help going forwards. Thankyou

AMT were helpful initially recommending some builders and being supportive via email during the early stages of agreeing a contract with a builder. Unfortunately things didn't got to plan with the builder who have left us in the lurch, and now AMT have done the same. Their advice (after weeks of chasing for a response) was basically 'these things happen sometimes' and to go CAB. There was no further support to remedy the issue with our builder nor any assurance that this builder would no longer be recommended by AMT. We complained to AMT over 6 months ago and have had to chase replies the whole time. I think if you're lucky to get a good builder then there is some use to AMT but it's not guaranteed and their follow up support is non-existent.

We didn't know where to start when looking for a builder. The Association of Master Tradesmen collected our requirements and provided a shortlist of builders who could do the job. This made the decision making process so much easier. To know that the Association was also there if we needed them throughout the project was great for peace of mind.

I contacted the association looking for a builder to complete a single storey extension . We were given three sets of details. All provided quotes and we chose Bill Timperley Builders. The job was completed on time and within budget to our satisfaction. Quality of work was good and we would use again should the need arise

Jamie Hodson of JHC, is a very professional, considerate and honest builder. He constructed an art room extension to a traditional 19th century rural property in the architectural style of the existing building on-time and to-cost with careful attention to detail. I strongly recommend him and would use him again for future projects.

Will only deal with builders to quote AFTER you have bought a property yet when questioned, agree that is useless! They recommend Bark.com, which is similar to checkatrade etc, Bark reviews are poor from both clients and businesses!!! You will notice that any response from the association denies any responsibility, which is the ultimate fob off. Pathetic beyond belief

The awarding of a contract to Ayling Prestige Renovations to completely remodel our 1960’s detached house, after a competitive tender process, was the best decision we could have made. Their approach was to find appropriate, cost effective solutions to overcome all the inevitable problems that were encountered, and to do so within an agreed programme and within budget. This firm is outstanding with an excellent range of in-house skills and a wealth of experience. Exceptionally obliging, always respecting the clients privacy, great at making real progress in accordance with the agreed programme and fair and reasonable in submitting applications for additional costs- and the workforce and Directors are nice people too! This firm is highly recommended.

They did their best to keep the building work and materials away from our house, the took the garden fence down and the main road fence down to enable all the excavated soil to be collected without making a mess on our property. The digger and dumper were also brought onto site in the same way as the waste materials went out. All the fences were reinstated as good as new as was the public foot path next to the main road. We found Jamie and his team polite and helpful. They built it according to the plans and made sure the finish matched the a joining building as we had requested. There were slight hold ups due to wet weather and because Jamie ordered one window the wrong size so it did go over the ordinal time estimate.
We watched every stage of the work and we are happy that it was done correctly, although I did not see the piles go in, I have been given the torque achieved in PSI and depth of them all.
If we have any more building work done we will use J.Neal Construction again.

Jamie Neale Construction.
Double Garage, Utility with Shower Room, Kitchen and Sun Room Extension.
Having looked at a number of potential builders suggested by Association of Master Tradesmen we finally settled on Jamie Neale Construction after doing my own background checks on a number of his previous projects.
The initial quotations provided to us, following a very detailed site survey and discussion on what we were trying to achieve, was very detailed and thorough.
Once we had agreed on price and start date - the wheels were set in motion very professionally with detailed timing plans for the work content and an agreed payment schedule established.
Jamies Project Co-Ordinator was excellent in providing timing and cost tracking as well as ensuring that we provided them with the information they needed for to achieve the build.
As with any building project there were a small number of un-expected surprises crop up but these were delt with swiftly with agreed costed routes implemented promptly.
Initial build was scheduled to run from 11th September 2023 till 8th December 2023 but due to changes that we made including completely re-tiling our whole bungalow roofing, the agreed work was actually finished on 22nd December 2023.
Jamie and his team were with us most days, weather permitting and were pleasant throughout.
While a small number of minor issues have developed in the time since the construction period ended, Jamie's support in resolving these has been excellent at getting these resolved promptly.
I have no problem with recommending Jamie Neale Construction.

I used the Association of Master Craftsmen for quite a small job, a utility room refurbishment. They sent me recommendations for builders, and a couple of builders quoted. We were very pleased with the builder who did the work. He was punctual, tidy and kept to the quote, and very helpful about doing extra things while he was there.

Well organised, responsive builder.

Louise from the Association of Master Traders is awesome to have as a contact and will send me listings that are relevant to my construction business and local to me (with no time wasters). She regularly follows up with me and my clients and I 💯 recommend Louise if you want your building company to grow and get your reputation out there! * * * * * (5 stars from me)
RD Savage - RDS Building Services LTD

Very helpful and reputable business. I would highly recommend using their service. Knowledgeable and very professional.

I am posting this for a friend of mine who contacted the association in complete faith they had the best builders and plumbers on their books.

I was recommended three and the one I chose quickly made plans to charge as much as he could with what seemed like viable vat invoices. When I pressed the builder for a breakdown of costs - no response at all other than promises he'd do the paperwork for me. The chosen builder refused to give me a refund when I clocked he was a rogue and had hugely inflated his skills, and that there was no apparent team. I rang the association to get my money back and I got no way forward with a refund and was told he was really good. Yes, he was really good at lying about how good he was, when in fact, he was less than mediocre at his work and must have provided references from family members who were builders.
Much to my irritation and annoyance I had no choice but to accept this builder because I paid upfront and he refused to give me a refund. He started works, began cutting back on the works we agreed and the materials he promised to provide to complete the works. He turned up when he wanted to, promised to bring in qualified workmen to do plumbing and tiling and I ended up seeing him butcher a wall which he denied doing and he did most of the work himself and got his mates who had the quals to check he had done okay. He lacked so many tools and skills that it made me furious. Not only did he lie about his skills, he lied about having the right tools. When he did work on his own, his level of work was actually poor and when he brought in other people, things seemed to get better. I provided so many materials some of which disappeared. He left me with tiling that is really poor quality work, a leaking shower, poor sealing around joints and poorly plastered walls. He said he'd lay membrane when he didn't, said he'd put in an extractor fan and didn't, was meant to do work outside and didn't...
I contacted the association account manager who made the referral about what he was doing and there was some improvement by way of seeing some work he failed to do get done. I contacted them again and got sent an email claiming the account manager did not work there/could not be found, when I know her number gives a voice message when it cannot be answered saying she still works there. The association promises to be in touch as works progress which is another lie because I was not contacted by them at all. The builder said he'd take 6 days to do the works and ended up taking 4 times as many. And at the end of this time, I got totally saturated by the builder's egotisical self boosting and hearing the broken record playing his empty promises.
I am now seriously planning on pursuing a court case with said builder for the countless lies produced over what he claimed he would get done, was paid to do but didn't.

All the work was carried out to a good standard and I was particularly impressed with Craig and his team's efforts to minimise the mess and disruption. As was to be expected when working in a 130 year old house, some unexpected things came up as the work progressed but these were explained and remedial actions proposed, costed and agreed before any work was done.

J. Neale construction is a highly competent building company. Whatever difficulties we encountered during our build, including a very difficult and aggressive neighbour, Jamie handled with great professionalism and good humour. Our build was fraught with difficulties due to blending old structure with new and this was handled extremely well. Would definitely use again.

Good strong Work Leads,
Excellent communications from account manager (Kelly Taylor)

Great company to work with, very reliable and proactive, would highly recommend them.