# Carey Brothers & Sons Building Contractors — Full Information

> Trusted building contractors in Kent with over 20 years of experience. Family-run, quality-focused, and fully insured. Based in Tonbridge, serving all of Kent and the Southeast.

## Company Overview

Carey Brothers & Sons Building Contractors Ltd is a family-run building company based at 24 Dodd Road, Tonbridge, Kent, TN10 4AB. Founded by brothers Lewis and Alex Carey, the firm has over 20 years of experience delivering high-end residential and commercial construction projects across Kent and the Southeast of England.

The company's vision is to become the finest building contractor in the Southeast, specialising in high-end projects and using the quality of their work to win bigger and better projects along the way. Many jobs come from returning clients or personal recommendations — a testament to the trust earned over two decades.

Website: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk
Email: info@careybrothers.co.uk
Phone: 07879 447 975
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careybrothersandsons/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/careybrothersandsons/
Google Business: https://g.page/careybrothers

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## Leadership Team

### Lewis Carey — Managing Director
Speciality: Machinery and Groundworks
Phone: 07879 447 975
Lewis oversees the day-to-day running of the company whilst specialising in all machinery and groundworks. His hands-on approach and dedication to quality has been instrumental in building Carey Brothers into the trusted name it is today.

### Alex Carey — Director of Operations
Speciality: Brickwork and Carpentry
Phone: 07766 111 432
Alex is the driving force behind the brickwork and carpentry side of the business. His precision and attention to detail is seen throughout every project, ensuring the highest standards are maintained from start to finish.

### Charlie Sharman — Head of Carpentry Division
Speciality: Carpentry and Joinery
Charlie leads the carpentry division, bringing exceptional craftsmanship and expertise to every project. His skill and dedication ensure that all carpentry work meets exacting standards.

### Adam Stannard — Head of Brickwork Division
Speciality: Brickwork and Masonry
Adam heads up the brickwork division, delivering outstanding masonry work across all projects. His expertise and commitment to quality craftsmanship is evident in every brick laid.

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## Services in Detail

### 1. High-End Extensions
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/services/high-end-extensions

Carey Brothers has transformed hundreds of homes across the Southeast with premium extension services. Whether creating additional living space, increasing property value, or modernising a home, the team brings over 20 years of experience to every project.

Types of extensions offered:
- Single-storey extensions
- Multi-storey extensions
- Kitchen and living extensions
- Orangeries and conservatories
- Wraparound extensions
- Contemporary glass-walled living spaces
- Period-sympathetic brick extensions

The service covers everything from initial design consultation and structural calculations through to planning applications, building regulations compliance, groundworks, brickwork, roofing, carpentry, plastering, electrics, plumbing, and final finishes.

Typical costs: £1,500–£2,500 per square metre depending on specification
Typical timelines: Single-storey 3–4 months; two-storey 4–6 months

### 2. New Builds
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/services/new-builds

Bespoke new build construction across Kent, delivering custom-built homes that combine exceptional quality, innovative design, and outstanding craftsmanship. The service covers everything from modest family homes to substantial luxury properties.

Includes:
- Custom home design coordination
- Planning and building regulations management
- Full project management
- Sustainable building practices
- Traditional and contemporary construction methods
- Energy efficiency and modern insulation standards

Typical costs: £2,000–£3,500 per square metre (standard); £3,500–£5,000+ per square metre (high specification)
Typical timelines: 12–18 months from breaking ground to completion
Guarantees: 12-month defects period, 10-year structural warranty, NHBC warranty available

### 3. Specialist Groundworks
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/services/specialist-groundworks

Every successful building project starts with expert groundworks. Carey Brothers delivers precise, reliable groundworks for extensions, new builds, commercial developments, and infrastructure projects of all scales.

Includes:
- Site clearance and preparation
- Excavation and earthworks
- Foundation trenches (strip, trench fill, raft foundations)
- Drainage systems (foul water, surface water, soakaways)
- Service connections (water, gas, electric)
- Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)

The team operates modern excavation equipment and uses laser levels and GPS technology for precise setting out. Experienced with challenging ground conditions common in Kent, from heavy clay requiring deep foundations to contaminated land requiring remediation.

Typical foundation depth in Kent: 1–2.5 metres (up to 3+ metres near trees)
Typical timelines: Extensions 2–3 weeks; new builds 4–8 weeks

### 4. Specialist Brickwork
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/services/specialist-brickwork

Led by Adam Stannard, the specialist brickwork division delivers masonry work of the highest calibre. The team understands traditional and modern techniques.

Includes:
- Facing brickwork for new builds and extensions
- Structural blockwork
- Decorative features including arches, corbelling, dentil courses, and soldier courses
- Brick repairs and repointing
- Garden walls and boundary walls
- Chimneys
- Flemish bond, English bond, stretcher bond, and specialist decorative patterns
- Heritage brick matching with reclaimed bricks and traditional lime mortars

All brickwork complies with British Standards and building regulations. 12-month workmanship guarantee.

### 5. Garden Rooms
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/services/garden-rooms

Bespoke garden rooms built to residential standards for year-round use. Unlike basic summer houses, these are fully insulated, weatherproof structures with cavity wall construction, proper foundations, insulated roofs, and double or triple glazing.

Suitable for:
- Home offices and studios
- Garden lounges
- Gyms and wellness rooms
- Entertainment spaces
- Guest accommodation

Features available:
- Underfloor heating
- Full electrical installations with data points
- Plumbing for kitchens or bathrooms
- Bespoke joinery and built-in storage
- Bi-fold doors for natural light
- Traditional timber cladding or contemporary glass designs

Typical costs: £1,500–£2,500 per square metre (standard); £3,000–£4,000 per square metre (premium)
Typical timelines: 8–12 weeks
Most garden rooms can be built under Permitted Development Rights without planning permission.

### 6. Renovations
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/services/renovations

Comprehensive house renovations across Kent, from single-room updates to whole-house transformations. Period property specialists who understand traditional construction methods.

Includes:
- Full home refurbishments
- Kitchen and bathroom renovations
- Loft and basement conversions
- Structural alterations and open-plan conversions
- Complete rewiring and replumbing
- New heating systems
- Windows, doors, roofing, and rendering
- Conservation area and listed building work

Typical costs: Basic £30,000–£60,000; mid-range £80,000–£150,000; high-end £150,000–£300,000+
Typical timelines: Kitchen/bathroom 6–8 weeks; single floor 3–4 months; whole house 6–12 months

### 7. Commercial Shed Building
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/services/commercial-shed-building

Purpose-built commercial sheds and agricultural buildings, from 50 to 500+ square metres. Steel or timber frame construction with weatherproof cladding.

Types:
- Agricultural barns and equipment stores
- Livestock housing
- Commercial storage facilities
- Workshops
- Light industrial units

Features available: roller shutter doors, insulation packages, partitioning, mezzanine floors, three-phase electrical installations, loading bays.

Typical costs: £600–£1,200 per square metre depending on specification
Typical timelines: 8–16 weeks depending on size

### 8. Commercial Builds
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/services/commercial-builds

Professional commercial construction from small-scale units to mixed-use developments.

Types:
- Office buildings
- Retail units and fit-outs
- Warehouses
- Industrial units
- Showrooms
- Mixed-use developments
- Commercial refurbishments

Capabilities include steel frame and traditional construction, modern cladding systems, commercial-grade electrics and plumbing, fire safety systems, disabled access compliance, and BREEAM compliance where required.

Typical costs: Warehouse/industrial £1,200–£1,600/sqm; office £1,800–£2,200/sqm; retail/mixed-use £2,200–£3,000+/sqm
Guarantees: 12-month defects period, 10-year structural warranties

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## Service Areas in Detail

### Tonbridge (Headquarters)
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/locations/tonbridge
The home base at 24 Dodd Road. A historic market town on the River Medway with Victorian and Edwardian terraces, 1930s semi-detached homes, riverside properties, and modern estates near the castle grounds. Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council oversees planning, with a town centre conservation area and flood zone considerations near the river.

### Tunbridge Wells
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/locations/tunbridge-wells
5 miles from base. Royal Tunbridge Wells is one of Kent's most sought-after addresses. Georgian townhouses around the Pantiles, large Victorian villas in Nevill Park and Calverley Park, and prestigious detached homes on the Common. Strict design standards, multiple conservation areas, and High Weald AONB designation on the outskirts.

### Hildenborough
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/locations/hildenborough
2 miles from base. A picturesque village north of Tonbridge with character cottages, farmhouses, post-war detached family homes, and barn conversions. Green Belt boundary considerations and a conservation area around the village centre.

### Sevenoaks
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/locations/sevenoaks
12 miles from base. An affluent commuter town surrounded by outstanding natural beauty. Large detached homes, period properties, rural estates, and Arts and Crafts houses. Home to Knole Park. Strict conservation area policies, Kent Downs AONB, and Metropolitan Green Belt.

### Weald
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/locations/weald
4 miles from base. Predominantly rural area with rolling countryside, ancient woodland, and scattered hamlets. Oast houses, converted barns, Wealden hall houses, rural farmsteads, and substantial detached family homes. Much of the area sits within the High Weald AONB.

### Chislehurst
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/locations/chislehurst
20 miles from base. A leafy suburb on the Kent-London border under the London Borough of Bromley. Edwardian and 1930s detached houses, mock-Tudor homes, grand Victorian villas around the Common. Several conservation areas with Article 4 directions.

### Borough Green
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/locations/borough-green
7 miles from base. A well-connected village at the foot of the North Downs. 1950s and 1960s semi-detached and detached homes, Victorian railway cottages, and newer estates. Hub for surrounding settlements including Platt, Ightham, and Wrotham.

### West Malling
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/locations/west-malling
8 miles from base. A historic market town with a well-preserved High Street featuring buildings from the Norman period. Georgian and medieval buildings, Victorian terraces, and modern developments at Kings Hill. Town centre conservation area with strict controls.

### Maidstone
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/locations/maidstone
14 miles from base. The county town of Kent, a major commercial centre on the River Medway. Victorian terraces, interwar semi-detached homes in Bearsted and Loose, modern estates in Penenden Heath, and rural properties in surrounding villages. Varied ground conditions (chalk, clay, ragstone).

### Ashford
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/locations/ashford
25 miles from base. A designated growth area with major new developments alongside an established town centre. New-build estates at Finberry and Chilmington Green, Victorian and Edwardian homes in the town centre, and converted farmhouses and oast houses in the countryside. International rail link to London St Pancras.

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## Project Portfolio

### Wrotham 7-Bedroom New Build
Location: Wrotham, Kent
Type: New Build | Year: 2026
A luxury 7-bedroom family home combining modern living with timeless design. Features include an open-plan kitchen/living/dining spanning 50+ square metres, traditional Kentish brickwork with modern insulation, a double garage with EV charging, underfloor heating throughout the ground floor, high-specification bathrooms, and a bespoke oak staircase.
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/projects/wrotham-7-bed-new-build

### Weald Sevenoaks Garden Building
Location: Weald, Sevenoaks
Type: Garden Room / Extension | Year: 2024
A bespoke garden office for modern hybrid working. Timber frame construction with full insulation for year-round use, large bi-fold doors, complete electrical installation, heating, oak engineered flooring, and complementary external cladding.
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/projects/weald-sevenoaks-garden-building

### Sevenoaks Stable Redevelopment
Location: Weald, Sevenoaks
Type: Renovation | Year: 2023
Transformation of an unused stable building into a beautiful modern living space whilst preserving its historic character. Complete structural strengthening, roof renovation, new internal layout with open-plan living, modern kitchen and bathroom, and traditional external materials matching the original character.
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/projects/sevenoaks-stable-redevelopment

### Maidstone Driveway Refresh
Location: Maidstone, Kent
Type: Groundwork | Year: 2024
Complete driveway transformation with proper sub-base preparation, comprehensive drainage installation, high-quality block paving, professional edging, and protective sealant. Dramatically improved the property's street presence.
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/projects/maidstone-driveway-refresh

### Wrotham Sustainable Drainage Pond
Location: Borough Green, Wrotham
Type: Groundwork and Drainage | Year: 2025
An engineered clay-lined rainwater pond designed to serve multiple properties and community facilities. A fully functional sustainable drainage system (SuDS) compliant with planning and environmental regulations, featuring clay lining for natural waterproofing and shingle cover for erosion protection.
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/projects/wrotham-drainage-pond

### Foundations and Groundwork Examples
Location: Various, Kent
Type: Groundwork | Year: 2024
A showcase of groundwork and foundation expertise across a range of residential and commercial projects throughout Kent. Demonstrates precision foundation laying, drainage installation, and experience with sloping and challenging sites.
URL: https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/projects/foundations-groundwork-examples

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### Extensions

**How much does an extension cost in Kent?**
Extension costs typically range from £1,500–£2,500 per square metre. A single-storey extension of 20 square metres would typically cost £30,000–£50,000, whilst a two-storey extension could range from £60,000–£100,000+. Detailed, transparent quotes are provided for each project.

**Do I need planning permission for an extension in Kent?**
Many extensions can be built under Permitted Development Rights. Single-storey rear extensions up to 6 metres (8 metres for detached houses) within 4 metres of height may not need permission. Conservation areas have different rules. Pre-application consultations are recommended.

**How long does it take to build an extension?**
A typical single-storey extension takes 3–4 months; a two-storey extension usually takes 4–6 months. This includes groundworks, structural work, first fix, second fix, and finishing.

### New Builds

**How much does it cost to build a house in Kent?**
New build costs range from £2,000–£3,500 per square metre (standard) to £3,500–£5,000+ per square metre (high specification). A 150 square metre home would cost £300,000–£525,000 excluding land.

**How long does it take to build a new house?**
A typical new build takes 12–18 months from breaking ground to completion.

**What guarantees are provided?**
A 12-month defects period covering all workmanship and materials, 10-year structural guarantee, and NHBC warranty or similar structural insurance if required.

### Groundworks

**What does groundworks include?**
Site clearance, excavation, foundation trenches, concrete foundations, drainage systems, service connections, oversite preparation, and external works.

**How deep do foundations need to be in Kent?**
Typically 1–2.5 metres depending on ground conditions and tree proximity. Clay soils (common in Kent) require deeper foundations. Tree proximity can require 3 metres or more.

### Garden Rooms

**Do I need planning permission for a garden room?**
Most garden rooms can be built under Permitted Development Rights if single-storey, under 2.5 metres in height (4 metres for pitched roofs), and covering less than 50% of the garden. Conservation areas and listed buildings have stricter rules.

**How much does a garden room cost?**
Typically £1,500–£2,500 per square metre. A 4m x 4m garden room costs £24,000–£40,000 including all works. Premium specifications increase costs to £3,000–£4,000 per square metre.

**Can a garden room be used year-round?**
Yes. Carey Brothers garden rooms are fully insulated with cavity wall insulation, insulated roof systems, double or triple glazing, and heating options for year-round comfort.

### Renovations

**How much does a house renovation cost in Kent?**
Basic renovations: £30,000–£60,000. Mid-range (structural work, full rewire, new heating): £80,000–£150,000. High-end with significant remodelling: £150,000–£300,000+.

### Commercial

**What types of commercial buildings are constructed?**
Office buildings, retail units, warehouses, industrial units, showrooms, mixed-use developments, and commercial refurbishments from 200 to 2,000+ square metres.

**What sizes of commercial sheds can be built?**
From 50 to 500+ square metres, in steel or timber frame construction.

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## Why Choose Carey Brothers & Sons

- **Over 20 years of experience** in residential and commercial construction across Kent
- **Family-run business** with hands-on directors present on every project
- **Specialist divisions** for groundworks, brickwork, and carpentry, each led by experienced professionals
- **Full project management** from initial consultation through planning, construction, and handover
- **Fully insured** with comprehensive guarantees on all work
- **Strong reputation** built on returning clients and personal recommendations
- **Local expertise** with in-depth knowledge of Kent planning regulations, conservation areas, ground conditions, and building traditions
- **Transparent pricing** with detailed quotes and no hidden costs
- **Free, no-obligation quotes** for all enquiries
- **Quality craftsmanship** using proven construction methods and quality materials

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## How to Get a Quote

1. Call 07879 447 975 or email info@careybrothers.co.uk
2. Visit https://www.careybrothers.co.uk/contact to fill in the online enquiry form
3. Carey Brothers will arrange a free site visit and consultation
4. A detailed, transparent quote is provided with no obligation