Extract taken from Professional Builder Magazine September 2007

The Essex Boys

HBXL applauds Andrew Snell, of DJ Snell Builders of Clacton – on – Sea, for his extraordinary commitment to his clients.

Most professional builder’s look after their customers during the life of the contract, but few can claim to care for their builders from the cradle to the grave. That is the proud boast of Andrew Snell whose business DJ Snell Business Ltd at Clacton-on-Sea in Essex is currently converting a factory unit into a church, and has previously refurbished mortuaries for a firm of undertakers.

“The funeral services job was not as morbid as it may seem because they had a brilliant sense of humour, which I suppose you must have in that line of work!” he said.

Andrew, aged 42, heads the family firm of builders which mainly specialises in commercial and industrial property from new builds, to repairs and upgrades.

“It’s a tough business securing contracts in a highly competitive market, but we have a good track record for quality workmanship and completing projects on time, on budget and to a high quality of finish, which are key factors in a commercial world,” he said.

The business was set up in 1948 by Andrews grandfather Dudley who then passed I onto his father David, now retired. “ I think I was born with mud on my boots and it seemed natural for me to join the firm,” said Andrew, the father of three, whose wife Dawn is company secretary. Andrew has five staff, and he draws on a pool of sub contractors and specialist craftsman to work on the various projects they undertake, whether it is building a training school for energy giant EDF or refurbishing a factory unit for a major blind manufacturer.

“The great thing about commercial work is that you never know what the next job will be, or what it will involve,” said Andrew. “We have worked for a printing firm that makes labels for most of the toiletry products on your bathroom shelf, and a packaging manufacturer who makes cartons for Harrods and Marks and Spencer”.

“In many cases the work on site has to be completed without disrupting the production process, so it involves allot of attention to detail and forward planning to get it right.”

“We have very hands on approach to all our work and I make sure that we stay small enough to be manageable. I have seen to many high flyers race to an early grave,” he said.

“We’re very proud of our reputation and it is something we are keen to maintain. If we didn’t, then the business wouldn’t have survived as long as it as and that is why we ensure the quality of the work is of the highest standard., even if that means negotiating a little longer to do the job.”

How to Enter the Competition:

Previous Winners:

January Winner - Richard Vincent, R V Carpentry & Building in Wiltshire

February Winner - Nick Fell, The Fell Partnership in Taverstock

March Winner - Jeff Goodyer, Artbuild Kent Ltd

April Winner - Malcolm Wiggins, Lichfield Deisgn & Construct Ltd in Lichfield

May Winner - Martin Proctor, One Call Services in Kent

June Winner - Stuart Henderson, SDH Builders in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset

July-August Winner - Ian Sanderson, Ian Sanderson (General Builders) in Doncaster