About Us

A Legacy of Quality and Trust Since 1966

For nearly six decades, Gilbert Builders has been a cornerstone of the Lowestoft community. Established in 1966 by our founder, Ivan Gilbert, we are proud to be the longest locally established building company in the area. We began as a family business built on the principles of honesty, reliability, and quality work—values that continue to guide us today under the leadership of the second generation.

Our History

The Gilbert Builders story began with Ivan Gilbert, a time-served carpenter and joiner, who, alongside his late wife Sylvia, started the firm from their home in Gisleham. From humble beginnings, Ivan built a formidable reputation for hard work and loyalty, earning the trust of a growing local client base. His commitment to the community was profound, with over 40 years of voluntary service that cemented our family's trusted name in the region. In 2004, Ivan passed the business to his son Richard and daughter Rachel, who continue to uphold his legacy of excellence.

Our Ethos

While we have grown from a home-based operation to our modern, purpose-built offices on the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate, our ethos remains unchanged. We believe in putting our customers first, offering a competitive, reliable, and transparent service from the initial concept right through to completion. Our team of dedicated, loyal, and highly skilled tradesmen use a combination of traditional and modern building techniques to deliver quality workmanship on every project.

Our Services

We provide a complete, turnkey building solution for a diverse range of clients, including local councils, healthcare providers, and private homeowners across East Anglia. Our primary services include:

New Build Residential Projects: From single bespoke homes to large residential developments, we have over 50 years of experience in creating properties of the highest standard.

• Commercial & Light Industrial: We have a proven track record of managing and delivering substantial commercial and industrial projects on time and on budget.
• Extensions, Modifications & Adaptations: We specialise in helping you make the most of your space, whether through extensions, loft conversions, or disabled adaptations.
• Healthcare & Specialist Builds: Our team is experienced in constructing state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and other specialist buildings designed to meet specific community needs.

At Gilbert Builders, we are more than just contractors; we are partners in building your vision. We leverage our strong working relationships with architects, planners, and local authorities to ensure a smooth and successful project every time.

We specialise in new build residential projects, commercial and light industrial projects as well as extensions, modifications & adaptation works.

Gilbert Builders can also offer start to finish solutions from initial concept through to completion, having strong working relationships with Architects, Planners & Local Authorities alike.