A Norfolk family business, built on family.

Derek Hales and his wife, Helen, started their plumbing and heating business in 1968, in the Norfolk village of Foulden.

They offered their services to domestic and commercial clients across West Norfolk. In 1980 the business branched out into small-scale house construction, with the aim of building high quality new homes covered by the NHBC 10 year guarantee. Over the years that side of the business grew, and to date more than 250 houses have been constructed or renovated.

Derek Hales Limited is very much a family business. Their daughter, Karen, is Company Secretary. Their son, Ian, joined the business in 1988 after qualifying with a Higher National Certificate in Construction Management.

As the business continued to grow, Derek concentrated on the plumbing and heating side, with Ian looking after the house building. Much is done in-house, from land purchase through to completion and sales.

On top of construction and house sales, the company also rents out and maintains its own portfolio of houses, and holds plots across Norfolk ranging from single units to multi-unit sites.