Award-winning contractor Alfred Flett has highlighted the value of industry recognition after being named Best Building Contractor (Under £30m) at the Construction Awards of Excellence (brought to you by the National Federation of Builders, and powered by Build News) , as entries open for the 2026 edition of the awards.
The win recognised the company’s delivery of high-quality construction projects and marked a milestone for the business, which operates from the north of Scotland.
As the industry prepares for the next round of entries, Alfred Flett’s experience offers insight into the impact of national recognition for small and medium-sized contractors.
Recognition for Quality and Project Delivery
What did winning the award mean to you and your team at the time?
“Winning the award was a big surprise to us, we were shortlisted in 2023 as well and to be honest we just enjoyed being a part of the NFB awards and even being shortlisted is a huge achievement.
“Winning the award was a brilliant feeling and it was a good acknowledgment to our site teams that they are producing a standard that is at the high end of quality on a national level. We have been taking on ambitious and challenging projects over recent years and it was great to be recognised for what we can offer to clients.”
The award reflects the growing importance of quality, delivery standards, and project complexity within the UK construction sector, particularly for regional contractors competing at a national level.
Impact on Growth, Recruitment and Reputation
What impact has it had over the past year (e.g. new opportunities, team morale, reputation, growth)?
“Getting to sign off emails with the NFB winners banner shows clients they are dealing with a company that has been recognised on a national level for quality, which we hope gives them reassurance of the standard of works they will be receiving.
“Our team has also grown since the award and we have certainly found recruitment much easier than previous years which we believe is down winning the award so employees know they are joining a reputable company.”
The experience highlights how industry awards can support business growth, workforce recruitment, and client confidence, particularly in a competitive construction market.
Encouraging Entries for 2026
What would you say to businesses considering entering this year’s awards?
“If a SME from a small island off the top of Scotland can win a national award, so can anybody! We entered in 2023 for the first time with no expectation but the judges certainly assess the applications fairly and really look at the quality of the product produced rather than previous reputation or size of company. I would say give it a go, both awards we have attended have been great fun, very well organised and excellent for meeting like minded businesses.”
With entries now open for the Construction Awards of Excellence 2026, contractors, developers, and supply chain businesses are being encouraged to showcase their projects, innovation, and delivery standards.
Industry Recognition and Opportunity
The Construction Awards of Excellence continue to recognise best practice, quality, and innovation across the UK built environment. For companies like Alfred Flett, the awards provide not only recognition but also tangible benefits in reputation, recruitment, and business development.
As the 2026 awards approach, the experience of past winners underlines the value of participation for businesses of all sizes across the construction sector.
