It’s easier than you think to tell good builders from bad. The telltale signs of a “cowboy” builder are there from the moment they come to call. Once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll find that reputable builders are easily distinguishable from their lesser counterparts. Firstly, be reassured: there are far fewer bad builders than you may think and you’re unlucky if you happen to hire one. The best advice you can get is to take your building project seriously; get comparative quotes from several builders, ask friends and neighbours for recommendations and check out builders’ claims and references. Here’s a checklist to help: Builders who “cold call” Good builders are always in demand and always busy. They never turn up on your doorstep asking if they can do a spot of work for you. If a builder knocks on your door and offers to do a job for cash, turn them away. Research A building project often costs quite a bit of money. To make the most of your budget, take the time to do a bit of research into your local builders. Using a website like Webfindalocal helps you to get a list of builders who can handle the type of job you have. Once you’ve got a list, get at least three comparative quotes for the project. Never only speak to one builder and go with a single quote. References Good builders have good reputations and are proud of their work. They should also have a long list of happy clients. Ask for references and see if you can view work they have done previously that is similar to the project you are starting. This will give you the opportunity to speak to other clients and look at the quality of the work. Written quotes and contracts Always ask for a detailed written quote and once you have chosen a builder, ask them to sign a contract. Builders have more problems with clients not paying, or changing the job specification as consumers have with rogue builders, so they should be happy to sign a document that lays everything out clearly for both parties. Availability Beware of builders who say they can begin work tomorrow. Most builders are busy and won’t be able to fit you in for several weeks, and may have to spend some time on more than one site. Good builders are always busy, so someone who can start straightaway should be viewed with suspicion. Cash Self-employed builders and general builders run businesses. They have accountants to satisfy and employees to pay. They should be happy to accept payment by cheque or bank transfer. Builders who ask for payment in cash should be avoided. Make sure before you hire them that they will accept non-cash payment. Money up front No good builder will ask for money up front. You may need to agree a payment schedule that runs throughout the project so that the builder can acquire the materials he needs and pay other contractors, but you should never be asked to pay the total cost of the work up front. If any of the builders you approach ask for this, don’t choose them. You will have no way of getting your money back if the work isn’t completed. The first step in your project is to hire the right builder. Use www.findalocal-builder.co.uk to get a list of builders in your area, and then look at our other advice articles to see how to make sure you choose the best builder for you. |