[3] Billing worked in the office of the well-known Gothic Revival architect, Benjamin Ferrey, in London from 1847 and commenced independent practice in 1849, his office being at 4 Beaufort-buildings on The Strand[4] and then at 10 Buckingham Street, Adelphi.

[9] Both on his own and in partnership he built and restored mainly churches in London[10] and the south of England.

An early commission, designed in Early English style with simple lancet windows, was the church of St John the Baptist, Kidmore End, Oxfordshire,[11] close to Billing's home town of Reading.

[13] He served as Surveyor to Guy's Hospital[14] and, until 1884,[15] to St Olave's (Southwark) District Board of Works.

In 1890 he took his son Arthur Ernest Billing (1857–1920) into partnership; they were joined by Joseph William Rowley in 1893, the practice title then becoming Arthur Billing Son & Rowley.