Ready to enter the Master Builder Awards? Use this guide to prepare a strong entry and get everything ready before you submit.
[Enter the 2027 Master Builder Awards]
1. Check you're eligible to enter
The Master Builder Awards are open to FMB members, their employees and apprentices.
If you're currently applying for FMB membership, you can prepare and submit an entry, but you'll need to become a member before the 8 January 2027 for your entry to be eligible.
For project categories, the work you enter must have been completed between 1 January 2025 and 1 January 2027, and all the work you are submitting must have been carried out by an FMB member.
Different criteria apply to our people and business categories, so check the requirements for the award you want to enter before getting started.
View the 2027 award categories →
2. Decide what to enter
Don't automatically choose your biggest or most expensive project. Think about where you have the strongest story to tell.
Look for work that demonstrates great craftsmanship or creative problem-solving, where you've overcome an interesting challenge or achieved something you're particularly proud of. Previous winners have shown that smaller projects can compete with much bigger builds when the work and the story behind it stand out.
3. Choose the right category – or categories
Read the criteria carefully and think about where your entry fits best.
If your work genuinely meets the criteria for more than one award, consider entering each relevant category. But think about why it deserves to win that particular award and tailor the information and evidence you provide accordingly.
Explore the award categories →
4. Speak to your client early
If you're entering a project, you'll need your client's permission to enter and to use photographs and information about their property.
Don't leave this until you're ready to submit. Speak to them early and consider asking for a testimonial at the same time. Their feedback can help show the difference your work made and what it was like to work with you.
5. Gather your evidence
Don't just tell the judges you've done a great job. Show them why.
Gather client feedback, facts or results, details of challenges you've overcome and photographs that demonstrate what you achieved.
For project categories, you can submit up to 10 photographs and up to three videos, with the majority showing the completed project and quality of the finished result.
Read our photography and video guide →
6. Tell the story, not just the build
The judges need to understand what makes your entry stand out, not simply what work you carried out.
Give them the context they need. What was the challenge? What did you do about it? What was particularly challenging, creative or unusual? And what difference did your work make?
Don't assume something will be obvious to the judges. Explain why your decisions and achievements matter.
A useful way to structure it is:
What was the challenge? → What did you do? → What was the result?
7. Be clear about the work you carried out
If you didn't complete every element of a project, that doesn't necessarily stop you entering. Just be clear about exactly what your business was responsible for and make sure your entry and photographs only cover the work you delivered.
One previous winning entry involved the construction of a block of flats but not the internal fit-out. The entrant clearly explained their scope and only submitted photographs of the work they had delivered.
8. Tell us in your own words
This isn't a writing competition.
You don't need to be a confident writer or use polished marketing language. Clear, straightforward answers that explain what happened and why it matters will help the judges understand your achievements.
Be specific rather than making broad claims. If you say something was particularly challenging, innovative or successful, explain why and back it up with evidence where you can.
A note on the use of AI
Remember that we want to see your genuine work – entries created or materially altered by AI are not permitted under our terms and conditions.
Before you submit
Give yourself time to prepare and review your entry rather than leaving it until the last minute.
Draft your answers in a separate document, like Word or Google Docs, before copying them to the online form. This makes it easier to review and refine your answers and means you won't lose your work – the form times out after one hour if it’s been inactive, so remember to save your responses in the form as you go.
Before you submit, check that you have:
- Read the criteria for your chosen category or categories.
- Got your client's permission, where required.
- Gathered your strongest evidence and photographs.
- Answered every question and clearly explained what makes your entry stand out.
- Asked someone else to read through your entry with a fresh pair of eyes.
Then you're ready to put yourself forward.
[Enter the Master Builder Awards 2027]
Not an FMB member yet? You can prepare and submit an entry while applying for membership, but you'll need to become an FMB member before the entry deadline to be eligible.