Exemplary Exeter-based builder named Heavenly Builder of the Year - while his firm picks up a further award at top industry event

An Exeter building company has fought off competition across the South West to scoop up two gongs at a prestigious industry awards event.

Dale Chadwick Carpentry and Construction Ltd picked up the accolades at the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) 2023 South West Master Builder Awards, sponsored by Openreach and hosted by comedian Aurie Styla, held at Winchester’s Norton Park Hotel on Friday 17 March.

The awards recognise excellence in the region’s small and medium-sized construction companies and are run by the FMB, the largest trade association in the UK construction sector.

Ken Willshner, 45, of Dale Chadwick Carpentry and Construction Ltd won the Heavenly Builder of the Year award in recognition of the thoughtful ways in which he handled a family’s specific needs and circumstances during a build. His firm picked up the Kitchen Project award for an upgrade to a Grade II listed property which put a modern twist on a classical design. They will now go on to compete for the national awards in these categories at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London in September.

Ken was nominated by his client, Anne Vernon, for taking extra care throughout the build - which was an annex in a family’s garden - to look after her young grandson, Alfie, who is non-verbal, autistic, and struggles with lots of people and loud noise. Ken ensured the family always knew who was on site and when the building would be particularly noisy, so that Alfie’s parents could take him out for a walk during periods of significant disruption. Anne, who is disabled, also says that Ken ‘went above and beyond’ to ensure there were no trip hazards in or around the new property, and that he assisted in designing an accessible shower room with a built-in seat and airing cupboard.

Anne praised Ken for being an ‘outstanding builder in many ways,’ while the judges noted that the ways in which Ken adapted to the client’s particular circumstances were ‘very impressive.’

Ken’s company, Dale Chadwick Carpentry and Construction Ltd won the Kitchen Project Award for overcoming technical difficulties in a Grade II listed property to create a beautiful open-plan kitchen which will serve as the central hub of a family-home in Exeter.

Dale Chadwick’s creativity included designing hand-made, custom-built cupboards as the kitchen had very few walls for a run of units, and utilising alcoves to ensure maximum storage.

Mrs. Camilla Daniel, the client, said the results ‘exceeded expectations’ and praised Dale Chadwick’s expert ‘attention to detail.’

Dale Chadwick, Director of Dale Chadwick Carpentry and Construction Ltd, said: 'We were gobsmacked to come away with any awards. But to pick up two categories and a highly commended award for Aaron, our apprentice, was mind blowing. To have our business up there alongside the other amazing firms and projects that we saw on the evening really was an eye opener for what we are doing.

Chadwick continued: 'To win our kitchen project was amazing. Seeing what we were up against but knowing what effort we went to on it with the design and supply of it made it really special. It was a great evening and an amazing venue.'

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: ‘It’s fantastic to see the sheer skill and quality achieved by all of our South West Master Builder Award entries this year.

‘Ken is a credit to his company. He went above and beyond to look after the needs of his client and did so to an exceptional standard. This award is very much deserved. And what a great night for Ken's company Dale Chadwick Carpentry and Construction Ltd, who were deserving winners of the best kitchen project, creating a beautiful and functional hub for the whole family.

‘Our talented Master Builder companies are setting an exceptionally high standard which will be hard to beat.’