Business Details
19 Years
experience
Your Trusted Carpenters in Norwich
Universal Carpentry & Building has been delivering specialist joinery and carpentry services since 2007, building on over 25 years of combined industry experience. Our expertise spans high-end bespoke interior fit-outs, oak-framed buildings, and historical timber restoration projects for commercial and residential clients. Founded by Simon Whitpen, a qualified cabinet maker with a background in fine furniture craftsmanship, we combine traditional techniques with modern innovation. Our services include on-site surveys, design, manufacturing, installation, and aftercare, all executed to the highest standards. We work with native and exotic woods, veneers, and laminates to create unique, dimensionally precise products tailored to client specifications.Our team collaborates directly with construction firms, interior designers, and private clients across the UK. Committed to quality, we manage projects from concept to completion, offering end-to-end solutions including procurement coordination. Our portfolio includes bespoke kitchens, staircases, acoustic panels, and radiation shielding doors, reflecting our diverse capabilities. With a workshop in Norwich and a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, we prioritise client satisfaction through professional service and technical excellence. Our founder's journey from apprenticeship to establishing the company underscores our dedication to skill development and industry leadership.
Services
Bespoke Joinery
Oak Framed Buildings
Interior Fit Out
Historical Restoration
Custom Staircases
Radiation Shielding Doors
Timber Acoustic Panels
Parabolic Ceilings
Bespoke Kitchens
Wall Panelling
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of specialist joinery and carpentry experience.
- Our in-house workshop enables full control over bespoke manufacturing.
- We provide end-to-end project management from design to installation.
- Our team includes certified experts with fine furniture craftsmanship backgrounds.
- We serve both large-scale commercial projects and private residential clients.
Services
Bespoke Joinery
We create tailored joinery solutions including kitchens, staircases, and wall panelling using native and exotic timbers. Our process combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to produce dimensionally precise, aesthetically harmonious products. Clients benefit from our end-to-end service covering design consultation, manufacturing, and professional installation.
Oak Framed Buildings
Specialist construction of oak-framed buildings ranging from garden rooms to commercial spaces. We employ traditional carpentry methods to create durable, visually striking structures that complement their surroundings. Our expertise includes both new builds and sympathetic extensions to historical properties.
Historical Restoration
We restore period timber features including sash windows, secret doors, and wood panelling in listed buildings. Our team combines historical research with traditional techniques to preserve architectural integrity while meeting modern functionality requirements. This service includes detailed replication of intricate features like marquetry and inlays.
Interior Fit Out
Comprehensive interior fit-out solutions for commercial and residential properties, including reception desks, washroom systems, and acoustic panels. We manage projects from initial design to final installation, ensuring seamless integration with existing architecture. Our work meets exacting standards for both aesthetic appeal and functional performance.
Radiation Shielding Doors
Precision-engineered doors with integrated radiation shielding for medical and industrial applications. We combine specialist materials with traditional joinery techniques to create functional safety barriers without compromising on design quality. This service includes site-specific measurements and installation.
People
Simon Whitpen
Founder
Simon established Universal Carpentry after 10+ years working with leading fine furniture makers. He trained at Norwich Technical College, gaining City & Guilds qualifications, and worked on prestigious projects including secret library doors in grand buildings before founding the company in 2007.
Questions
What types of projects do you specialise in?
We specialise in bespoke joinery, oak-framed buildings, historical timber restoration, and interior fit-outs for both commercial and residential clients across the UK.
How long has your company been operating?
Universal Carpentry & Building has been delivering specialist carpentry services since 2007, with over 25 years of combined experience in our team.
Can you handle both design and installation?
Yes, we provide end-to-end service including design consultation, manufacturing in our workshop, and professional on-site installation.
What materials do you work with?
We work with native and exotic hardwoods, softwoods, veneers, laminates, and specialist materials for applications like radiation shielding doors.
Do you work with private homeowners?
Yes, we serve both large commercial projects and private residential clients, including bespoke kitchen installations and historical property restorations.
Are you registered with official bodies?
We are registered with Companies House in England & Wales under company number 01603 961135, demonstrating our commitment to business transparency.
Reviews (7)
Sue Land
Oct 23, 2021
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We are extremely pleased with our kitchen refit. From the start Simon was very helpful and provided us with a detailed quotation. The work was completed to a very high standard and we would have no hesitation in recommending his company.
Ian Fryer
Nov 28, 2020
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Superb craftsmanship in a small part of the bathroom. Was made to measure and came highly recommended by our builder. Would most certainly use this company again.
Adele Sparkes
Nov 23, 2020
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We are doing a self-build and hoped Simon at Universal Carpentry & Building could make the oak porch but, we only had a photograph of what we wanted. Amazingly Simon made it exactly as we wanted, he has such skill and puts so much time and detail into everything he does, would most definitely recommend him.
Ross Albi
Nov 11, 2020
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Simon built a very bespoke kitchen for my house in norwich. Other carpenters did not want to take the job on as it was technicaly challenging. However, Simon and his team did a great job. I would be happy to share photos with anyone who was thinking of using him. You could even pop around if you are in Norwich.
Chris Holmes
Oct 24, 2020
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Simon has completed various projects for us, ranging from the construction of studwork walls, through to hanging of new doors and the installation of a bespoke staircase complete with understair cupboard. The quality of his work and his work ethic are both first rate.
Michael Drane
Sep 20, 2020
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We have had Universal Carpentry work on several of our projects now and I can honestly say the workmanship is floorless. We recently had Simon fabricate a couple of sets of curved projection screens and over 3mtrs wide they come together withing millimeters. Well priced, innovative and excellent quality. Thanks again for all your hard work
Adrienne Chinn
Aug 29, 2020
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I was fortunate to find and collaborate with Simon Whitpen at Universal Carpentry on a high-end carpentry project in Kensington. The design involved a detailed traditional built-in display case in a client's formal dining room and Simon did an absolutely fantastic job and was a joy to work with. Highly recommend!
