A construction contractor boosted underlying profitability and made record margins according to a “strong” set of financial results.

United Living made earnings before interest, taxes and other charges of £9.5 million, up 86%, thanks to “a very strong customer base” which is bringing in more repeat work.

The Swanley-headquartered contractor increased its margin to 5.3%, up from 2.3%, ahead of the industry average of just under 1.8% for the UK’s top 150 contractors and housebuilders.

However, it suffered a 17% decline in revenues to £181 million in the year to the end of March, having increased them by 77% to £220.6 million a year earlier.

Chief executive Ian Burnett said the firm had shown “resilience” in light of cuts to social housing rents.

He predicted turnover would jump to £250 million this year, with £230 million already secured.

The company’s order book is exceeding £720 million, a record for the business.

The firm, which employed about 570 people last year, was formed in 2014 from the merger of social housing contractors United House and Bullock Construction.