Where we work
Builders in Brighton
Brighton is where most of our work is. Extensions, loft conversions, structural alterations and roofing, largely on the Victorian and Regency terraces that make up most of the city's housing.
Building in Brighton is not the same as building on a modern estate. The houses are older, the streets are tighter, a lot of the city is covered by conservation areas, and the ground is chalk. All of that changes how a job is planned and priced.
At a glance
- Experience
- 20+ years in building and construction
- Rating
- 10/10 across all 37 Checkatrade reviews
- Quotes
- Free site visits, itemised, no obligation
Local knowledge
What Brighton houses are made of
The bulk of Brighton's housing is Victorian terrace, with Regency stucco around Kemp Town and the seafront squares. Two features come up constantly. The first is the butterfly roof, the M-shaped double pitch draining into a central valley gutter, which is behind most serious roof leaks in the city and changes how a loft conversion has to be approached. The second is the hill: Hanover, Queen's Park and Round Hill are steep enough that access, scaffolding and muck away need planning rather than improvising. Underneath it all is chalk, which is generally good bearing ground but behaves differently from the clay that most general foundation advice assumes.
Planning & permissions
Planning in Brighton
Brighton and Hove City Council is the planning authority. The city has a large number of conservation areas, including North Laine, The Lanes, Kemp Town, Round Hill and Valley Gardens, and several carry Article 4 directions that remove permitted development rights. That means work which would be automatic elsewhere, such as a rear dormer or infilling a garage door, often needs consent here. It depends on the specific address, which is why we check rather than assume. Skips and scaffolding also need permits on most streets, given the controlled parking zones.
What we do here
Most asked for in Brighton
Our work in Brighton
What Brighton customers say
Verified Checkatrade reviews from jobs in Brighton postcodes.
“Having been recommended Prek when looking for a builder for a new kitchen I would also now absolutely recommend him. From the initial meeting of looking at what we could do with our space through to planning it and doing the work the whole process was excellent. Prek is a very hard worker, great craftsman and communicator and we are incredibly happy with the end result of our gorgeous kitchen. We would absolutely use Prek again and can highly recommend his services.”
Verified reviewer · 3 June 2026 · BN2
“We recently completed a major rear extension project on our house with Prek Building Services, and we are absolutely delighted with the result upon completion. The entire team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and efficiency. The quality of construction on the rear extension is top notch. The team's attention to detail especially regarding the finishings and ensuring the new structure blended with the existing was perfect. They kept the site tidy at the end of every working day. I will definitely recommend Prek and his team to my family and friends.”
Verified reviewer · 31 October 2025 · BN1
“Prek and his team were incredibly personable. Their communication was excellent and the work completed was as promised. They worked around me and what worked for my schedule, and added weekend dates to help. They left the house tidy and hoovered all the sanding dust away - which was amazing. Fully recommend their services!”
Verified reviewer · 2 January 2025 · BN2
Common questions
Building in Brighton: your questions answered
Do you need planning permission for a loft conversion in Brighton?
It depends on your address. Rear dormers can fall under permitted development, but Brighton's conservation areas and Article 4 directions frequently remove those rights, and anything visible from the street usually needs consent. We check the position for your specific property at the free site visit.
Why does my Brighton terrace leak in the middle of the house?
Almost always the valley gutter on a butterfly roof. These M-shaped roofs drain into a central channel running the depth of the house, so when the lining fails or the valley blocks, water comes in through the centre of the property rather than off the edge. It is very common here and a well understood repair.
Can you get materials into a mid terrace with no side access?
Yes, it is most of what we do in Brighton. Materials come through the house or over the roof, with the floors protected. We plan it before we start, because on a terraced street access is what causes delays, not the building work.
Do I need to tell my neighbours before work starts?
If we are cutting into or building off a shared party wall, which is normal in a terrace, the Party Wall Act applies and notice has to be served with a notice period. We flag it early so it does not hold up the job.
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