Elmcroft is a family-run groundworks specialist with nearly five decades of experience supporting the modular construction sector, built on strong relationships, proven delivery, and a commitment to quality.
When Peter Barnes founded Elmcroft in 1976, he had two objectives: firstly, to build a business that his sons could join when they were old enough, and secondly, to provide his clients with an excellent service.
Fast forward to today — 49 years and counting — and those objectives have become a reality. Our mission is to become the modular sector’s groundworks partner of choice. With a strong track record, a commitment to client satisfaction, and extensive experience in the modular sector, we continue to secure projects with our modular partners based on our industry knowledge, reputation, and proven ability to deliver.
We are committed to the mission, team and organisational goals above self-interest. In practice, this means being a reliable partner through “thick and thin”, supporting decisions publicly while providing honest, critical feedback in private to ensure the team’s success.
We are adaptive and iterative, responding quickly to changes rather than following a rigid plan. This involves continuous improvement through rapid feedback loops, flexibility in methods, and a mindset that views change as an opportunity rather than a distruption.
We prioritise practicality over perfection. Instead of adhering strictly to theorical models or “perfect” solutions, we focus on what is “good enough” to be productive in your specific context, making decisions based on immediate, real-world consequences.
We are outcome-oriented, focusing on delivering tangible value and resolving blockers. We move quickly from identifying a problem to implementing a functional resolution, ensuring that every action contributes directly to a successful result for the stakeholder.
We are committed to making a positive impact by supporting charities that align with our values. We believe in giving back to the community and helping those in need, whether through donations, partnerships, or volunteering.
1976
After leaving one of the large national construction companies of the time, Elmcroft was set up by Peter Barnes with a ladder and a set of paint brushes, doing house painting and very small building works.
1977
In the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, Peter Barnes purchased the company’s first van — a second-hand Ford Escort.
1978
In 1978, Elmcroft started taking on slightly larger domestic building projects and a few small commercial projects. Profits were invested back into the company.
1981
Peter’s 10-year-old twin boys, Colin and Keith, started joining him on site to give a helping hand and get their first taste of working in construction.
1982
Peter upgraded the company vehicle, this time opting for a more spacious Volkswagen Transporter to better suit the demands of his daily work.
1984
As the company matured, Elmcroft began taking on larger and more complex projects, marking a significant transition into industrial and commercial construction. This shift reflected the firm’s growing reputation and capability to complete such projects.
1985
Marking a key milestone in its early development, Elmcroft hired its first employee and upgraded to a Mercedes Sprinter van.
1986
It became clear that the home garage was no place to run a business. Elmcroft hired three lock-up garages to store tools and equipment.
1987
Peter’s two sons left school and joined the business, with Keith training as a bricklayer and Colin as a carpenter.
1990
Elmcroft moved into a new office — a basic log cabin in Peter’s back garden. More employees joined the company, and steady growth followed.
1994
The company purchased its first excavator, a very battered Komatsu PC30.
1996
The company moved into its own freehold yard in Harrow for the storage of plant and equipment, and also purchased a 7.5-tonne beaver-tail truck.
1998
Peter was taken ill and stepped back from the day-to-day running of the business. Colin stepped up and took on responsibility for daily operations.
2003
Management decided to move away from domestic work and focus exclusively on industrial and commercial construction. They also relocated to a new office in Watford.
2010
The company was now working on larger and more complex commercial and industrial projects. Peter, now in his mid-80s, still came to work most days to open the post and run errands to site.
2012
Elmcroft moved again, this time to its own freehold offices. This supported further growth and allowed the company to take on more staff.
2017
The modular construction side of the business grew rapidly, and the workforce expanded to 15+ operatives plus subcontractors. Elmcroft moved to a larger, one-acre yard to accommodate the growing fleet of plant and equipment and began taking on projects outside of London and the home counties.
2020
An extremely challenging year for everyone with the COVID pandemic. We pulled together as a team and did everything we could to support our clients in delivering solutions for the NHS and Government.
2022
2022 was a record year, nearly doubling revenue and expanding to a team of 30+ operatives. The company continues to deliver on its four core values and has become a national company, completing projects across the UK.
2025
Elmcroft employs 60+ staff members and has completed over 1,000 successful projects. The company still strives to be the modular sector’s partner of choice, empowering modular providers to deliver. Get in touch to discuss your next modular project at enquiries@Elmcroftconstruction.co.uk.
2026
2026 see Elmcroft reach its 50th anniversary. It is also the year the company starts working on it’s biggest project to date at £10M Elmcroft invest in larger plant and equipment which facilitates its growth.
We are a dynamic and diverse group of professionals dedicated to achieving excellence and driving innovation.
