The Honest Builder

Darren Hitchins trading as the Honest Builder has been both punctual and reliable in terms of what we had asked him to do. We were very pleased with the standard of his workmanship and his professionalism. This entailed removing the old pointing to an end wall and repointing using lime and mortar to allow the brickwork to breath. The other work was to repair the retaining flint wall which is a skilled job and requires specialist knowledge. We would and will use him again and have no hesitation in recommending him.

Darren (The Honest Builder) and Joe his colleague provided an excellent service. The work they carried out was to a very high standard and cleaned up nicely afterwards. I would happily use them again and not hesitate in recommending them.

Darren carried out lime repointing work for a flint wall and repaired a crack on my house. Darren came very quickly to look at the work and took time to talk through what needed to be done. Darren was very accommodating in picking up extra bits that needed doing whilst on site. The work was of a very high standard and left areas clean and tidy. I would highly recommend Darren.

This Gentleman and his helper did a superb job doing a pointing and refresh job on my garden wall in and outside to a very high standard. They worked very hard and left the premises on completion as good as new, by ensuring the area was clean and all tools and equipment removed. The work was of a high standard. Darren , the boss was a happy and helpful man.

Darren was one of a number of people we approached to quote for undertaking the lime pointing for the exposed NW-facing side of our house. Darren came over within the week and gave a really competitive quote. Upon being instructed to deliver the works, Darren had to put up with delays to works for quite a few weeks while terrible weather and other issues prevented scaffolding (which we arranged separately) from being erected. He was understanding throughout and did not change his quote. From day one, Darren and Joe were punctual, polite, and delivered works to a really high standard - they even went so far as to clear up mess left by a previous contractor who had done roofing work. A number of neighbours commented on the exceptional work they were doing. We were so impressed with the work that we asked Darren to extend the work to the face of the house, which he did at another very competitive price. For each package of work, Darren involved the same amount as quoted even when works took longer than expected due to terrible weather and some delays to access due to some neighbours being absent. During works Darren also found that the cavity walls were filled wit 2-3 feet of debris and old lime mortar at their base. This was causing damp across the ground floor. On showing me the issue, Darren was able to clear all the cavities along our wall in a couple of days. We would not hesitate to recommend Darren to anyone who needs work done to an older property.

This is the second time we have used The Honest Builder and would not hesitate to recommend. Darren's conscientious approach ensured that the job was completed to a high standard of workmanship, and thanks to Darren an unrecognisable flint panel has been skillfully restored to its former glory.

As always, a pleasure to have work completed by Darren. He’s reliable, and very conscientious. Impeccable work on this old estate, which has enhanced the garden instantly. Would highly recommend. Many thanks for all your work past and present.

A two day job undertaking groundwork. Completed competently and promptly with a smile. Left property in excellent condition, no mess at all. Invoice within prior quote. The third time I've used the Honest Builder and would use again.

The Honest Builders mended a garden wall which had a 3 meter gap caused by a speeding car! Their attention to detail in reclaiming all the Victorian bricks they could and matching the ones they couldn’t was exceptional - including sourcing hard to find feature bricks. They communicated well and were on site when they said they would be. The quality of work was excellent, perfectly following the curve of the wall and blending really well into the existing weathered wall. They were clean and tidy and protected the rest of the garden. Passers by have commented that they can’t tell that it’s been mended! Invoice was as expected with no surprise extras. We highly recommend using the Honest builder (Darren)

The Honest Builder was contracted to extend my driveway, install edgings and construct a ramp into my garage. The job was completed with care and to a very high standard, including relaying part of the existing drive so as to blend old and new seamlessly. The finished result is first class. Very pleased with the result.

I had several areas on the wall of my house and on the garden wall where the pointing had come out or was loose. Darren raked out the old crumbling pointing and repointed with lime mortar. He also removed some damaged bricks and replaced them. Darren did the work carefully and thoroughly, and was very helpful when I asked advice about painting the walls in future. I'm delighted with how the walls now look. He is highly knowledgeable at all aspects of brickwork and does excellent work. I have great confidence in the quality of his work.

This is the second time we asked Darren to carry out the work (he repointed back of the property in 2020) and we would recommend. Work carried out as quoted.

Repair to chimney carried out at fairly short notice. Work done to excellent standard, as ever. Have used The Honest Builder many times and work is always first class and always reasonably priced.

The pointing was carried out promptly and completed quickly. Darren really is the honest builder, done to a very reasonable estimate and on schedule. The work was finished to a very high standard and the site was tidied up at the end of each day.

Darren and his team did a great job laying a patio in our back garden. He had great ideas to get the most out of the space. He was punctual, tidy and really did a quality job.

Excellent job, and very useful ideas. Everything kept tidy. The work took the time I was advised and it was carried out continuously with no breaks. Very happy.

Darren repointed the south side of our cottage using traditional lime mortar, blending the colour well, he also did a great job of restoring some brickwork. Darren and Dan communicated well, were punctual, considerate, tidy and exceeded our expectations.

We asked Darren to quote for the repointing of a large garden wall. He arrived at the appointed time and spent some time explaining the work he would recommend carrying out. Gladly the wall did not need totally rebuilding. At start date was agreed but had to be rescheduled due to the terrible weather at the beginning of November. Darren communicated this delay to us in good time so no plans were disrupted as a result. Darren and Dan were very clean, tidy, considerate and Covid aware which was comforting. When invoice time came, there were no surprises and I was more than happy with the service received.

Darren did some repointing work on our house using traditional lime mortar. He replaced several bricks using almost identical old bricks so they remain fully in keeping with the wall. The finished work looks great. I would be happy to use Darren again and would recommend him to friends.

We have a listed 1780 cottage. The Honest Builder was empathetic to this, knowledgable about lime mortar and blended the colour well. Great work. Great value. Went the extra mile.

This trader gave us a quick quote, was very professional and kept us informed when things would be happening Him and his colleagues did a wonderful job and kept mess to the minimum, clearing up after themselves at the end of each day Thoroughly recommended

Darren was invited to provide quotation for he replacement of a garden wall which had been damaged in a recent storm. He provide a quote extremely quickly at a competitive price. He started on time, worked extremely hard and offered constructive suggestions which improved the finished job. He was polite, timely and was excellent throughout. The result is a wall that is considerably better in construction and appearance than the one that was damaged. The work took just over two days and the the elapsed time from making initial contact to completion was one month. I will definitely use him again if I need a builder/bricklayer and would recommend him without reservation.

Darren created a new patio area for me and renovated my front garden path. This involved removing the old paving, laying new stone paving with a brick edge, digging out the old path, putting down membrane on the path and covering it with new chippings. I'm extremely pleased with the work he and Dan have done. It has transformed my garden. Darren's work is excellent, as I know from previous jobs he's done for me. He's always very helpful and courteous, and makes sure to let me know how things are progressing. The work was done in the time frame he estimated and cost what he quoted.

Darren did a great job at short notice and even recommended a plasterer who was available the next week.

This is the second time Darren has done work for me and I can unhesitatingly recommend him. He is very expert at what he does and does not hang about on a job. The work was carried out to a very high standard and all spoil removed.

Darren did a great job repointing a flint / brick wall for me. All mess was cleared after the work was completed and I am delighted with the end result.

Darren did a great repair job on our flint walls. He is highly skilled and experienced, and he manages client expectations with care. He and Dan worked well as a team, were punctual and courteous, and left the site tidy. I have no hesitation in recommending the Honest Builder.

Very good work done quickly and efficiently. Repairs to brickwork around septic tank and repointing with lime mortar around old flint and brickwork with some brick replacement in old cottage

1 year ago Darren and his team laid land drains under, and then replaced our drive. We were very happy with the quality, price and experience, despite the inevitable disruption caused by such a job. Subsequently, after prolonged or heavy rain, we noticed that water pooled at one point in the drive and drained very slowly. Darren regularly uses the lane on which we live, saw what was happening and approached us to say he wasn't happy with it and wanted to lay another land drain to solve the problem, at his expense. He completed the job last week. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Very please with the work replacing ours and our neighbours airbricks which had become damaged. They arrived on time, were friendly, did a great job and left everything tidy. Will definitely use again.

Excellent work yet again. Concessions always, Leaves site Tidy and Clean. Nothing is too much. Would Highly Recommend. Thanks Again Darren.

Darren did a first class job in building a fire break wall in my attic. He was totally prepared for the day of the build and left the area clean. Invoiced as per quote.

Darren fixed our patio, which was in awful condition. He did a fantastic job and we were delighted with the results. He is very reliable, friendly and good value. I will definitely use again.

Darren undertook the re-pointing of the exterior elevations of our house and the clearance of one of the cavity walls. Darren provided helpful and clear advice relating to the work and kept us updated on progress throughout. Darren went out of his way to clear the working area at the end of each day including engaging with our neighbors. We are pleased with the end result and would have no hesitation in recommending Darren.

I called Darren a month ago on a Wednesday morning asking if he could repair or replace a broken manhole cover on my drive into which either me or my car was likely to fall into. He promised to have a look that afternoon. I returned from work on Thursday to find that the job had already been completed and I was the proud owner of a much more robust and correctly fitted manhole cover. Very fast, very efficient and extremely reasonable - I could not recommend the Honest Builder more highly.