Builders in Guildford
House extensions, loft and garage conversions, renovations, new builds and commercial projects across Guildford, managed from the first drawing to the final finish.
A trusted builder in Guildford.
Godman Construction provides high-quality building services for homeowners and businesses across Guildford.
Whether you are planning a new build, a home extension or a full-scale renovation, our experienced team brings your vision to life with care, precision and professionalism. From the initial consultation to the final sign-off, we manage every stage of the building process, with regular updates, practical advice and complete transparency.
Guildford asks more of a builder than most towns. Its centre and several of its older suburbs are conservation areas, some streets have extra controls on changes as small as a new front window, and the Surrey Hills begin at the southern edge of the town. We plan each project around the rules that apply to your street, so there are no surprises once work is under way.
From our base in Woking, a few miles up the A320, we work throughout Guildford on projects of every size, from a single room to a complete new home.
Building services in Guildford.
One team for every kind of building work, from a refurbished kitchen to a new home.
Renovations and Refurbishments in Guildford
We carry out house refurbishments and full property renovations in Guildford, from updating kitchens and bathrooms, decorating, flooring and plastering to electrical and plumbing upgrades, internal remodelling and structural improvements. Every project is tailored to the condition of the property and what you want from it.
We regularly work on period and character properties in Guildford, carefully preserving original features while introducing modern layouts, improved insulation and updated interiors. In the conservation areas with extra controls, such as Onslow Village and Charlotteville, even replacement windows and doors can need planning permission, so we check before anything is ordered.
House Extensions in Guildford
From single-storey rear and side extensions to double-storey and wrap-around designs, we build house extensions in Guildford that blend naturally with the existing property, matching brickwork, roof tiles and architectural details.
Many extensions here can be built under permitted development rights. Homes in a conservation area or within the Surrey Hills National Landscape have tighter limits, and side extensions and two-storey extensions there always need planning permission. Our guide to planning permission for house extensions sets out the rules.
Loft Conversions in Guildford
A loft conversion is often the most cost-effective way to add a bedroom, an en-suite or a home office without moving. We design and build Velux, dormer, hip-to-gable and mansard loft conversions in Guildford, and keep noise and mess to a minimum while you carry on living at home.
Dormers and other roof extensions are not permitted development in a conservation area, so in parts of Guildford a loft conversion needs a planning application where the same design a few streets away would not. Building Regulations approval is needed everywhere.
Garage Conversions in Guildford
An underused garage can become a guest room, a home office, a gym or a playroom. We insulate, damp-proof and finish the space so that it is as comfortable as the rest of the house and complements it from the street.
Planning permission is not usually needed, although some newer estates have conditions that keep garages for parking. Building Regulations approval is always required.
More about garage conversionsGarage conversions in GuildfordGet a quote
New Builds in Guildford
We build bespoke new homes in Guildford, working closely with clients to create properties that reflect their lifestyle, design preferences and future requirements, and managing the project from the plot to the handover.
Land around the town is Green Belt, so the opportunity for an individual new home is usually a replacement house or an infill plot within the built-up area. A replacement house in the Green Belt must not be materially larger than the one it replaces, and extra homes in much of the borough contribute to protecting the Thames Basin Heaths. If you are weighing up a tired house on a good plot, read our guide to renovating or rebuilding.
Commercial Building in Guildford
We deliver commercial building projects in Guildford for offices, healthcare facilities and retail spaces, from new builds to large-scale renovations, managing the whole process and working with architects, engineers and the local authority so that all building regulations are met.
In the town centre conservation area, where many premises are listed, changes to shopfronts, signage and interiors often need consent before work can begin. We build that into the programme from the start.
We also take on healthcare, private works and small works in Guildford. See all our services.
Planning and building in Guildford
The local rules that most often shape a building project here.
Who decides planning applications
Guildford Borough Council is the local planning authority. From April 2027 it is due to become part of the new West Surrey Council, which will take over planning. The national rules on permitted development stay the same.
Conservation areas
The borough has 40 conservation areas. In the town they include the Town Centre, Bridge Street, Millmead and Portsmouth Road, Stoke Fields, Charlotteville and Warren Road, Onslow Village, St Catherine’s, Waterden Road and Abbotswood. Permitted development rights are reduced in all of them. See the council’s conservation area pages.
Article 4 directions
Waterden Road, Charlotteville and Warren Road, Onslow Village and Abbotswood have Article 4 directions, which remove further rights. Changes to the public face of a house, such as its windows, can need planning permission there.
Green Belt and the Surrey Hills
The town is surrounded by Green Belt, and the Surrey Hills National Landscape begins on its southern side. Natural England has proposed extending the protected area, and a decision is awaited. Extensions in the Green Belt are judged against the size of the original building.
Flood risk along the River Wey
The Wey runs through the middle of Guildford. If your home is in a flood zone, a planning application for an extension needs a flood risk assessment. You can check any address on the government’s flood map for planning.
Why choose Godman Construction in Guildford?
Get a QuoteA Personalised Approach
No two projects are ever the same. We take the time to get to know your needs and goals before laying a single brick, and tailor every solution to fit your budget, lifestyle and aspirations.
Managed From Concept to Completion
We offer full project management, working closely with architects, engineers and suppliers and coordinating every trade, so you are kept informed with regular updates and never have to chase a deadline.
Compliance and Safety
Our team stays up to date with the latest regulations, so all work meets Building Regulations and stringent safety standards, from the initial planning stages to the final inspection.
Quality That Lasts
Our fully qualified and insured team builds beautiful, functional spaces designed to last, and all our work comes with a workmanship guarantee.
Discover our excellent reputation.
We have worked with a large number of clients throughout the area, take a look at some of the feedback we have received.
Our projects
Building in Guildford: your questions answered.
Answers to the questions we are asked most often by homeowners and businesses in Guildford.
Do I need planning permission to extend my house in Guildford?
Not always. Many single-storey extensions are permitted development. You are more likely to need permission if your home is in one of Guildford’s conservation areas, within the Surrey Hills, is a listed building, or has had its permitted development rights removed. We will advise you on the requirements for your property and assist with the planning process where necessary.
Who decides planning applications in Guildford?
Guildford Borough Council. Most householder applications are decided within eight weeks. From April 2027 the borough is due to become part of the new West Surrey Council.
My home is in a Guildford conservation area. Can I still convert the loft?
Usually, yes, but dormers and other roof extensions need a planning application in a conservation area, and the design will be expected to preserve the character of the street. Rooflights on a rear slope are often the least contentious option. Building Regulations approval is required in every case.
How much does a house refurbishment cost in Guildford?
The cost depends on the size of the property, the scope of work and the materials selected. Following an initial consultation, we will provide a detailed quotation based on your refurbishment requirements.
What is the difference between a refurbishment and a renovation?
A refurbishment generally focuses on improving and updating the existing condition of a property through repairs, decoration and modernisation. A renovation often involves more extensive structural alterations or significant changes to the layout of the building.
Can you renovate older properties in Guildford?
Yes. We regularly work on period and character properties, carefully preserving original features while introducing modern layouts, improved insulation and updated interiors.
Can I stay in my property during the work?
Many refurbishment projects allow homeowners to remain in the property, although larger projects may require temporary alternative accommodation. We will discuss this with you during the planning stage.
Do you work on both residential and commercial projects in Guildford?
Yes. Alongside private homeowners, we deliver commercial projects across Surrey and Hampshire, including healthcare facilities, office refurbishments and retail spaces.
Guides for your project
- Do You Need Planning Permission for a House Extension?
- How Much Does a House Extension Cost in Surrey?
- How Much Does a Loft Conversion Cost? Prices by Type
- Loft Conversion Planning Permission and Building Regulations Explained
- Garage Conversions: Planning Permission, Building Regulations and Ideas
- Renovate or Rebuild? When Knocking Down and Starting Again Makes Sense