Family-run builders · Tunbridge Wells & the Weald
A family-run building company, working across Tunbridge Wells since 2002.
Harlequin Building Company is a family-run firm based in Frant, just outside Tunbridge Wells, led by director Tony Palmer with fellow director Adam Porter. We've built and renovated homes across Kent and East Sussex — from listed period properties to bespoke new builds — since the company was formed in 2002.
Tony and Adam
Harlequin is run by its directors. Tony Palmer has led the company since it was formed in 2002; Adam Porter joined as a fellow director in 2020. They run the projects themselves — the survey, the advice, the quote and the build — so on a Harlequin job you deal with the people making the decisions rather than a project manager you never see again. As Mrs S's review puts it: "Adam and Tony did our rear extension and kitchen project… from start to finish they were professional, reliable and super helpful."
One firm, every trade
A build touches almost every trade, so we cover them — building, carpentry, plumbing, heating, electrics, plastering and decorating — in-house or through the established local tradesmen we've worked with for years. That's why you deal with one firm for the whole project, from the first survey to the final coat, rather than chasing separate contractors.
Period, listed and contemporary
We work as comfortably on a listed period home as on a contemporary new build. Our residential work runs from full refurbishments of Victorian and period properties — including the sensitive, consent-aware work listed buildings demand — to bespoke new builds with render, timber cladding and large glazing. We also take on commercial work for offices and schools, and ongoing maintenance for property agents.
The team
Tony Palmer
Director · since 2002
Tony has led Harlequin since the company was formed, and runs the projects — the survey, the advice, the quote and the build. He's the point of contact for most clients and stays involved from first visit to final handover.
Adam Porter
Director · since 2020
Adam is a fellow director and runs projects alongside Tony. Clients whose work Adam has led describe him exactly as Mrs S's review does — “professional, reliable and super helpful” from start to finish.
Patricia Palmer
Company Secretary
Patricia is the company secretary, keeping the administrative side of a family-run firm in order behind the scenes so the build side can get on with the work.
How we work with you
One firm, every trade
Building, carpentry, plumbing, heating, electrics, plastering and decorating are all handled in-house or by the established local tradesmen we've worked with for years.
Directors on site
Tony and Adam run the projects themselves — you deal with the people making the decisions, not a project manager you never meet again.
Residential & listed
From listed period homes to contemporary new builds, we work to the finish and the compliance each property demands.
Local, not national
A Frant-based family firm working within reach of Tunbridge Wells — close enough to come out, look properly and see a job through.
We work alongside established local tradesmen, architects and suppliers across Kent and East Sussex — or with your own chosen designers and specifiers where a project already has them.
What we stand by
The way a Harlequin project runs.
The directors are on the job
Tony and Adam run the projects themselves and stay involved throughout — "I always felt like I knew exactly what was going on and when," as Mrs S's review describes. You're never left guessing where a build stands.
One firm, coordinated trades
Building, carpentry, plumbing, heating, electrics, plastering and decorating handled by one firm and the tradesmen we build with — so the trades follow in the right order and the standard holds across the whole project.
Built for the property
Listed period home or contemporary new build, we work to the finish, the character and the compliance each property calls for — rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
In a client's words
“Adam and Tony did our rear extension and kitchen project and I couldn't recommend them enough. From start to finish they were professional, reliable and super helpful. I always felt like I knew exactly what was going on and when. The outcome was better than we could have ever expected.”
★★★★★ — Mrs S, Tunbridge Wells, via Google