No company can chalk up over four decades of operation without continually delivering a quality product for its clients. This has certainly been the case for Godfrey & Hicks Builders Ltd, which has established a strong reputation since it was created in 1981. Its credentials were further underlined recently when it won an LABC Award within the East Anglia for Best Medium Volume New Housing Development for its Elm Street project in Cambridge.
“We’re perhaps guilty of not promoting ourselves as much as we should, as we prefer to just go about our business, relying more on word-of-mouth work and recommendations by consistently doing a good job,” explains Gareth Godfrey, Director. “To therefore get award recognition is a great pat on the back for all the team, particularly as we were nominated by others. Ultimately it wasn’t an easy project, as it was located in a tight city centre site with difficult access. It could have been a nightmare on Elm Street with the challenges but thankfully it wasn’t!”
As for how these challenges were overcome, taking a long-term approach was crucial. “There was a lot of advanced planning that went into the job in order to tackle the logistical issues to deliver a high-quality project without upsetting the locals,” adds Gareth. “It was just over a year project from demolition of a former garage block to completion of the property, so high levels of communication were key, particularly with our own supply chain.
“Over the years we’ve done quite a few projects in central Cambridge that require difficult logistics solutions, so we have overcome these types of issue before. The client, Jesus College, also played their part, as they were really proactive in terms of their involvement.”
Despite its prior experience of similar projects, the Elm Street development is not overly typical of the work that Godfrey & Hicks carries out, as it has worked on a real cross section of different work over the years.
“We’re quite versatile and can turn our hands at whatever comes through the door, whether it’s housing, schools, colleges, commercial units or healthcare work. In recent years we’ve spent a significant amount of time carrying out large one-off private dwellings and bespoke houses on contract and for ourselves.
“We are a main contractor/ general builder and can carry out anything from building a stable door in our joinery shop through to £6m-£7m Science Park projects and everything in-between. As a result, we’re continuing to see opportunities within our typical hunting ground, which is usually around an hour’s drive of Newmarket, although the market is currently proving tricky. We have, however, picked up a strong tranche of work this summer that will keep us occupied well into the New Year.”
With a good pipeline of work ahead, Godfrey & Hicks can use its LABC Award as the springboard for further success in 2025 and beyond.