Construction Awards of Excellence 2025

Awards submissions have now closed.

The Construction Awards of Excellence are highly prized awards, recognising individual and team excellence. The awards are open to all construction and building companies within the UK and are judged entirely independently by an expert panel. The National Federation of Builders are delighted to host the 2025 Construction Awards of Excellence at The Burlington Hotel in Birmingham.

The winner in each category will be the one that scores the highest out of all nominations received based on the information presented to the judges. The judges’ decision is final. Please note that these awards cover the period November 2023 to December 2024. The entry process has been kept very simple in order to encourage as many high-quality entries as possible from a wide a range of companies.

Please read the category criteria carefully and ensure you submit under the correct category. The deadline for your submission is 30 April 2025.

All submissions will be acknowledged. Please email awards@builders.org.uk or call 03450 578 160 if you have not had an acknowledgement within 5 working days. Please choose your category from the list below and complete the entry form.  There is no limit to number of entries and multiple award entries are welcomed.

Complete the awards submission form here.

Key Dates

• Submission Deadline:  12^th May 2025.
• Shortlist Announcement:  16^th June 2025.
• Awards Evening:  6th November 2025, The Burlington Hotel, Birmingham.

Categories

Best Building Contractor

Recognising outstanding performance and achievements of a building contractor, regardless of location or size. Entrants may either demonstrate consistently high standards over the specified period or focus on individual projects. The projects and operations cited in the award entry must relate only to contracts undertaken in the UK. Demonstrating high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail (Testimonials can be provided as support) as well as a track record of maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for workers and subcontractors.

Excellence in Sustainable Construction

Celebrating projects that showcase exceptional commitment to sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, and environmental impact reduction. Entries for this award may cover the full range of environmental and sustainability initiatives, from local ecosystems or community/social responsibility initiatives to issues within the UK. This category is for organisations making a genuine difference, not just ticking the box. Entries should be clear about what environmental, community, social responsibility and sustainability issues are being addressed. It should clearly evidence, how you have delivered excellence, any innovations in the approach, what measurements or data you have captured and what the outcomes have been. You may also consider any wider impact that your initiative had on your internal workforce, the community, other organisations and/or the industry as a whole.

Innovation in Construction Technology

Honouring projects or initiatives that have leveraged cutting-edge technology or innovative solutions to transform the construction industry. The contractor may also demonstrate good use of specialist skills and innovative thinking. Entries should focus on how the technology has improved productivity and efficiency and whether any technological advancements have contributed to improved health, safety or quality standards.

Outstanding Residential Development

Entries should highlight excellence in residential properties, showcasing creativity, design, functionality and overall quality. Entries should showcase their attention to detail and the incorporation of sustainable elements and energy-efficient solutions. Evidence of the overall craftsmanship and material selection should be included. Our judges will be looking for outstanding construction quality, durability and safety for its residents and also have evidence of positive feedback from satisfied homeowners with the completed properties.

Inspiring Infrastructure Project

This category recognises inspirational infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, airports, or railways, that have positively impacted communities and improved connectivity. Evidence should be provided of consideration of environmental measures as well as sustainability and longevity predictions of the project’s infrastructure.

Excellence in Educational Building

This category celebrates exceptional construction projects in the education sector, promoting innovative design, functionality, and an enriching learning environment for students and educators. The entry should showcase outstanding architectural design while being consistently creative, functional and adaptable within educational spaces. Additionally, the entry may consider any use of modern educational technologies and tools while utilising eco-friendly construction methods and materials.

Exceptional Healthcare Facility

This category highlights excellence in the construction of healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, or medical centres. The healthcare facility should be designed to be fully accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities, limited mobility or on-going health issues. Optimisation of spaces and workflow for healthcare professionals while integrating advanced medical technologies and equipment should be evidenced.

Outstanding Housebuilder

The outstanding housebuilder category showcases the achievements of a housebuilder of any size, based on their commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and innovation in the residential sector while incorporating unique and forward-thinking design elements. The entry for the housebuilder should be responsive, supportive to homeowners and provide a positive influence on the local communities through housing development.

Rising Star

The rising star category recognises an up-and-coming individual that has demonstrated exceptional potential, innovation, and success in the construction industry. A fundamental aspect of this award is the impact the individual has had on the future development of the construction industry. They should demonstrate a forward-thinking approach that considers originality, long-term sustainability, and the betterment of the communities they serve.

Diversity and Inclusion Champion

Acknowledged organisations or individuals that have implemented impactful initiatives to promote diversity, inclusion, and equality within the construction industry. The individual or organisation should be demonstrating understanding and respect for diverse backgrounds, ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals within the organisation and/or within recruitment practices. There should be evidence of the individual or organisation encouraging and influencing others within the industry with demonstratable progress and improvements in diversity metrics and testimonials.

Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Excellence

For organisations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of their workers through innovative practices and preventative initiatives. The organisation should provide evidence of a safety culture with proactive measures, e.g., training/ safety precautions, making sure there are efforts to prevent accidents and injuries within the workplace. Also, for organisations to have created support for their workers mental health.

Remarkable Renovation and Restoration / Heritage and Conservation Project

Highlighting projects that have successfully transformed and preserved existing structures, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, and protecting architectural heritage while ensuring adherence to historical accuracy in restoration work. The project provides evidence of safeguarding the cultural and architectural heritage as well as executing the project in a sustainable manner, using techniques that reduce their carbon footprint.

Outstanding Training initiative

This award covers the full range of training, including apprenticeships, graduate training, management training, leadership training, job-specific training, as well as team and company-wide training. The judges will look for clearly conceived, well targeted initiatives addressing a previously stated need. There should be a high level of engagement and measurable success that has impacted the company and/or the broader industry.

Outstanding Tradesperson

Open to organisations of all sizes to nominate an outstanding craft or trades person delivering outstanding work on projects The person has demonstrated expertise and skill within their respective trade while leaving a positive impact backed up by testimonials and satisfaction from clients or project managers. The entry provides evidence of the ability to address challenges with innovative solutions with professional conduct, reliability and a collaborative approach.

NFB Special Recognition Award

This award is only open to NFB members and past members.  It is for those individuals who have made a huge contribution over 20 or more years to their company and the industry at large.  This award recognises and celebrates their legacy of work.