About Classic Builders
About Classic Builders
Classic Builders is an award-winning Principal Contractor operating in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. We provide comprehensive services to public and private sector clients across all areas of construction and building works. Founded in 2003, Classic Builders has grown to become the largest private building contractor in Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset. Our dedicated team of over 140 direct employees collaborates closely with more than 600 vetted supply chain partners to foster strong working relationships and deliver a diverse range of client projects. Our commitment to excellence and innovation positions us as a regional industry leader; dedicated to meeting the unique needs of each project we undertake.
We serve public and private sector clients executing a diverse range of works spanning:
An Employee-Owned Trust
We have become an employee-owned trust, reinforcing our long-term commitment to our people, clients and communities. Our transition to an employee-owned trust represents a natural progression in our journey, recognising the collective contribution of our team and empowering those who have helped shape our success to share in our future.
For our clients, employee ownership strengthens the qualities that have always defined Classic Builders. By giving our people a greater stake in the business, we are fostering an even stronger culture of, accountability, collaboration and innovation, ensuring every project benefits from a trusted team personally invested in delivering exceptional outcomes.
Importantly, our commitment to our values remains unchanged. Our values will continue to guide our decisions, underpin our relationships and drive our ambition to deliver excellence across the South West. As we embrace this exciting new chapter, we remain dedicated to building on the foundations established by our previous leadership, creating lasting opportunities for our people and delivering continued value for our clients and nearby communities.
Social Value Contributions
Our Values – Safety, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Community
Safety
We prioritise the safety of every team member, empowering them to perform their duties to the best of their abilities. We believe everyone deserves a safe, supportive, and professional workplace. Recognising that no one comes to work expecting unnecessary risk, we are committed to continuously monitoring and prioritising workforce safety. We uphold this commitment through a transparent and accountable approach, including ongoing training, our responsibilities as an accountable employer, and our commitment to protecting our clients’ interests.
Integrity
Integrity reflects our commitment to honesty, accountability, and consistency. We demonstrate this by delivering on our promises, reflecting on performance, and consistently choosing the right course of action. This is evident in how we treat our workforce, manage supply chain partnerships, maintain transparent processes, and uphold operational standards. We honour our obligations to champion integrity and build trust and respect—essential to sustaining long-term relationships and a strong reputation in a collaborative and performance-driven industry.
Respect
Respect is a guiding principle that underpins every level of our business, influencing how we interact with clients and how we provide accessible information to the communities in which we operate.
Every individual who engages with Classic Builders is treated with respect. Whether we are executing a multimillion-pound contract or working in a private residence, our respectful approach shapes every interaction. When clients entrust us with their projects, we become ambassadors of their values and choices. By fostering a culture of respect, we ensure we treat others with dignity, represent our clients professionally, and contribute to creating an inclusive industry.
Our commitment to respect includes our approach to sustainability and environmental stewardship. We recognise our responsibility to lead by example and promote sustainable practices. The built environment is responsible for approximately 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions, while construction, demolition, and excavation (CDE) waste accounts for over 60% of total UK waste, amounting to 140 million tonnes annually. By working with our dedicated team, we’re able to lower our impact on the environment and take an active lead in practicing sustainable building processes and the use of modern methods of construction (MMC).
Our approach to suitability differs from our competitors by:
- Holding triple ISO certification – including ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems)
- Being the only contractor in the South West to build to LETI standards (Low Energy Transformation Initiative)
- Our team has built the highest proportion of certified Passivhaus properties in the region.
- We’re experienced in measuring and reducing embodied and operational project carbons and delivering zero emission schemes.
Innovation
Innovation comes from our experience, dedication, and inherent motivation to excel.
Construction can often be associated with repetitive procedures and methodologies. However, with an increased understanding of our planet, advances in modern methods of construction (MMC), developments in new technologies, and improvements to building standards (such as the Building Safety Act) we embrace innovation and actively practice it.
“Classic’s approach to innovation was a huge benefit when embarking on delivering such a technical and complex project.” Mike Webb, Seaton Beach Developments
Utilising our inclusive approach empowers us to champion innovation. By harnessing the collective expertise of our team and supply chain we can think creatively and deliver solution-based outcomes for our clients. With over 140 dedicated employees and a network of 600 trusted suppliers, our capacity for innovation is unrivalled. From employing modern methods of construction (MMC) to enhance project performance, to designing buildings that generate more energy than they consume, innovation is a defining value of Classic Builders. We are committed to pushing the boundaries continuing to set new regional standards.
Community
Social value is central to our business. Our unique history allows us to have a true understanding of how social and economic opportunities can positively impact others. From employing Apprentices who progress to win national awards, to last year where we invested over £70m in the region’s economy, we understand our efforts make a real difference to our surrounding communities, and the individual lives of so many local people.
We are dedicated to creating local employment opportunities by hiring staff from surrounding communities and investing in their long-term training and professional prospects. We actively create opportunities for sole traders, SMEs and VCEs, while consistently evaluating how we can contribute to the well-being of those around us.
Our commitment extends beyond economic opportunities, we firmly believe in the power of social change and the importance of supporting communities. From grassroots sports to supporting representatives of protected identities, our inclusive efforts enable us to share social prosperity. We strive to champion a more diverse and collaborative region; ensuring that our actions have a meaningful and long-lasting positive impact.
