Since he formed Eleven Builders as a one-man-band in 2019, Harrison Yorke has developed the Gloucestershire-based business into a much larger enterprise thanks to the high standards it adheres to. Its growing reputation for quality recently saw the company being named Contractor of the Year at the prestigious National Building and Construction Awards 2025.
“I initially started the business specialising in construction management,” explains Harrison, Managing Director. “My dad, who is a carpenter by trade, joined shortly after, and his experience really helped us to grow and move to the next level.”
From those early days Eleven Builders has steadily expanded, now employing a team of ten and specialising in extensions, refurbishments and development projects. Harrison credits its ongoing growth to a clear focus and the strong relationships it has developed. “We’ve secured several good contacts over the years and have built excellent ongoing links with our customers. As a consequence, we’ve been able to grow via word of mouth and recommendations.”
That reputation was integral to Eleven Builders’ National Building and Construction Award, underlining the progress it has made and proving a powerful endorsement of its ethos. “Anyone can blow their own trumpet, but external recognition is completely different,” adds Harrison. “It gives clients confidence and is a real stamp of approval for the work we do and the team we’ve built.”
In terms of specific projects, Eleven Builders’ work on Quarry House in Chalford has also achieved industry recognition in the form of Gold at the National Building and Construction Awards 2025. Working closely with Gransmore Architects, the company completed the technically challenging construction project with high levels of efficiency and an exceptional attention to detail. The build required a highly coordinated approach, bringing a range of materials together to create a crisply detailed, elegant and contemporary project.
“It was a dream job and a real one-off design,” says Harrison. “There aren’t many similar projects out there, and we love these types of development because they really stand out.”
Such high standards are only possible if you have the right skills at your disposal so Eleven Builders has strived to get the recruitment element right.
“We’ve always been conscious of the importance of recruiting the right people and making sure they’re the correct fit for the team. Having people with the right attitude has been absolutely essential. This is something we will continue to keep in mind as we look forward to our next stage of development.”
The fact that Eleven Builders has one eye on the future is also demonstrated by the fact that it invests in apprenticeships, despite the challenges involved in attracting young talent into the industry. “It doesn’t feel like many kids nowadays set their career goals through apprenticeships. We try to show them the benefits: earning while learning and having a solid trade by the time they’re 20. It opens doors everywhere.”
With regards to other challenges, while demand remains strong, Harrison acknowledges the pressures of rising costs and tighter regulations. “Managing the overall costs is the biggest headache. It’s not just inflation—it’s the new regulations and industry requirements that add to the price. Managing client expectations can also be tough because budgets often don’t match reality.”
Despite these challenges, Harrison’s vision for the future is clear: steady, sustainable expansion without compromising quality. “We’re being very careful to avoid having runaway growth, as it can quickly become tricky to manage. Instead, we want to maintain the quality and service we have become known for. Of course, we want to keep growing but nothing outlandish. The focus is on building strong relationships that continue to provide a nice pipeline of work.”
With a solid foundation, a talented team and an award-winning reputation, Eleven Builders is well-positioned for continued success in the years ahead. It would be no surprise if it receives further industry accolades in the process either.