Design & Build in Brighton

Black Olive Construction is a highly regarded Brighton-based based building company providing a broad range of residential construction, project management and design services. We offer complete design & build solutions encompassing architectural services, structural & mechanical engineering, landscaping design, interior design and more in addition to our considerable construction expertise. Our competent team specialises in delivering:

Bringing over 30 years of construction industry experience to the table, we have built up a trusted network of designers, engineers, suppliers and manufacturers locally in Brighton & Hove and beyond. These industry professionals share our unwavering commitment to professionalism and integrity. Whether you’re planning to renovate one room or a whole house, wish to move up, extend out or build new, Black Olive Construction can coordinate all the necessary expertise.

How do we work?

We are proud to have developed an excellent reputation for delivering end-to-end project management and build services for residential property clients in Brighton. As an independent company with vast experience in the local property market, Black Olive Construction have refined the process we use to make your journey with us as rewarding and stress-free as possible, using a proven three-step approach to successfully deliver our design & build projects.

✓ We develop ideas

We take the time to really listen to your requirements and objectives, then develop exciting solutions to meet them. Thanks to our in-depth understanding of Brighton planning issues and procedures, we know how to optimise the planning & design stages for best outcomes.

✓ We manage projects

Your dedicated project manager is highly skilled to deal with all aspects of your project, from delivering to set timescales to full budget monitoring, while being agile enough to adapt to a change in the brief or unexpected circumstances.

✓ We create spaces

At Black Olive Construction, we operate as a unified, professional, accountable and reliable team to deliver each unique design & build project. Retaining full central control means we can flex our creative skills and adapt our resources as necessary to deliver the best solution for our clients.

Why use Design & Build?

Getting the builders in is not something many homeowners are familiar with. Instructing a building contractor to make improvements to your home is a big decision and comes with many uncertainties and risks attached. What if it all takes too long or costs more than expected? What if something goes wrong with the build? What if the tradesmen don’t turn up? What about the paperwork? Residential building projects can be complex and unpredictable. Without the experience and expertise to deal with all the foreseen and unforeseen issues, dreams can easily turn into nightmares.

Faced with such complexities, the benefits of using a professional design & build company are numerous. At Black Olive Construction, we can bring together all the necessary expertise under on roof, managing the project on your behalf to deliver a complete service.

  • Less hassle – We are your single point of contact for your residential project, dealing with all the contractual elements, so you don’t have to.
  • Lower risk – We are contractually accountable to deliver your project, meaning the majority of the risk is our problem, not yours.
  • Better quality – Since we are fully invested in your project and accountable for its success, it is in our interests to deliver the best possible quality.
  • Faster delivery – We prioritise collaboration within an integrated and streamlined process, which leads to shorter delivery times and fewer problems all round.
  • Lower costs – Our integrated design & build approach leads to budget conscious decision-making from the outset, resulting in shared cost savings.

Contact Black Olive Construction

Our dedicated team is ready to take on your next residential design & build project in Brighton, turning your dreams into reality. Get in touch today for an informal chat and to arrange for a site visit to talk through your vision. We provide our Design & Build Services to clients in Brighton and Sussex, including FalmerHollingburyHoveKemptownLancingPortsladeSaltdeanShoreham-by-SeaWorthing and many more.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I hire an architect?

When undertaking significant structural projects that involve remodelling or creating new spaces, the expertise of an architect or designer becomes essential for effective planning. Whether you are extending an existing building or constructing a new structure, an architect has the knowledge and foresight to consider crucial factors such as the best views, sun orientation, landscape integration, and structural and proportional considerations. Black Olive Construction is a vertically integrated company, offering comprehensive design solutions to complement our construction services, including architectural design.

Which contractors and tradespeople are involved in your projects?

Your assigned project manager, who oversees your design & build project, will handle the coordination, supervision, and communication with all the necessary contractors. This encompasses various trades such as groundworks and civil engineering, masonry, carpentry, roofing, plumbing, electrics, plastering, joinery, decorations, and any specialised installations that may be required. With full project management under our control, and diligent recording and reporting by our in-house project administrators, we ensure that every aspect is meticulously taken care of, giving you complete peace of mind.

Is planning permission needed for my building project?

Most residential building works fall under ‘permitted development rights,’ meaning planning permission is not required. It is advisable to consult your local planning authority to confirm this. However, there are specific criteria that the project must meet, and it’s important to note that leasehold properties, homes in conservation areas, and listed buildings do not benefit from permitted development rights. Planning consent is generally required for significant structural alterations and large-scale developments. As part of our comprehensive design & build services, Black Olive Construction takes care of the entire process, including liaising with local planners and handling all necessary paperwork.

What types of building projects do you specialise in?

At Black Olive Construction, our specialism lies in the design, management and construction of residential properties in Brighton. This includes a wide range of architectural styles, such as Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian homes, as well as modern flats, houses, and new builds. With a collective professional experience spanning over 30 years in the building industry, we are equipped to handle projects of any size or complexity. Our expertise encompasses diverse areas, from kitchen and bathroom renovations to loft conversions, building extensions, and comprehensive home refurbishments. We are well-versed in working with designated listed buildings as well as undertaking brand-new developments.

David BCustomer Brighton

Back in 2021 Black Olive took over the management of a complicated building project. It wasn't an easy job and the project manager had to deal with some significant but unforseen issues.
Even several months after completion I was able to contact them for follow-up and the manager dealt with any problems that arose both during and after the work.

VictorCustomer Brighton

Black Olive is particularly effective at client liaison, and I have always found that their projects start and finish on time with regular updates on progress in-between.
Black Olive team has a particular eye for detail, takes care to fully understand the requirements, uses strong initiative to overcome any unforseen difficulties in a variety of creative ways and manages internal and external labour extremely effectively.

Roger BrassCustomer

We can highly recommend the team at Black Olive. Projects that the team members have completed for us in the past have been undertaken professionally, managed closely and delivered exactly in line with our requirements. We established an excellent rapport with the team which gave us every confidence in all aspects of their work. On completion of the projects we have always been completely satisfied, with the end result being quite superb.