General Tips and Advice

Welcome to our general tips and advice section.

We hope you find the following information useful.

Selecting a builder

Recommendations and Reputation

Recommendations are a great way to find a builder for your intended project. Most people will only recommend someone they had a good experience with. If other people have also followed their advice, and been pleased with the results, you can be sure the builder offers a consistent high standard.

Trade Organisations

We are members of the National House-Building Council (NHBC), and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

You can find additional helpful advice on finding and working with a builder on the FMB web site (FMB Helpful Advice), together with a search facility to help you find member builders in your area.

Both web sites also have a service to verify a builders membership.

Insurance

Check that the builder is fully insured, and you are covered in the event
of any injury or damage to you or your property.

Create a shortlist

Create a shortlist of around 3 or 4 builders you would like to quote for
your project.

Create a list of requirements and questions for your shortlisted builders

Create a list of your requirements and any questions you would like to ask each of the builders on your shortlist.

Your plans and drawings should be suitably detailed for the builder to provide you with a basic quotation, but you may also have additional work, or further requirements not shown on the plans. For example, you may want rooms to
have a dimmer switch instead of a normal light switch, or want a specific type or style of bathroom furniture.

You should also make clear any general requirements you have in the conduct of the builders work, such as; cleaning up at the end of the day, protecting carpets or flooring between the entrance hall and the build site, or provision of separate outside toilet facilities.

Finally you should make a list of questions you would like to ask each builder, such as; can you provide me with references, can I see one of your completed projects, is your work guaranteed, are you insured against damages and injuries.

Obtaining a quotation

Contact each of your selected builders and arrange to see them all over the course of a few days. This ensures each meeting is fresh in your memory when you come to evaluate them.

After each meeting, make a few notes, and if necessary revise your list of questions or requirements. Your first builder might draw something to your attention you hadn't thought of, or perhaps spot a defect in your plans or buildings structure. You should ask each subsequent builder to give you their opinion also, to give you a balanced view.

References and examples of work carried out

Once you have selected your first choice builder, follow-up on references and arrange to see an example of their work. Prepare a list of questions to ask the reference customer, that are relevant to your requirements, such as; are you pleased with the quality of the work, did the builder tidy up each night, etc.

Contingency Fund

Your quotation will cover the cost of completing the project to the specification you have requested. If you have not been specific in certain areas, the builder will assume a certain level of cost for the fixtures and fittings you require. The quotation will also assume that the property is structurally sound, and the job can be completed without any significant problems.

Ideally you should have a contingency fund of around 10% of the quoted cost, in case problems arise, or you want to make changes to your requirements during the build process.

Working with a builder

Keep the work area clear

Having thoroughly vetted your chosen builder, you already know they'll
do a good job. Accidents can happen however, especially when moving
tools and materials around inside your home. You should pack away your valuables, and keep walkways and working areas clear to avoid any unintended damage to your belongings.

Don't be afraid to ask

Don't be afraid to speak to your builder if you believe something is wrong, or you want to understand some of the work being carried out. If a mistake has been made, it is easier to rectify the problems at an early stage, instead of waiting for the work to be completed.

Extra work and requirements changes

If your builder discovers a structural fault, or you request changes to your fixtures and fittings in the construction phase, the cost of repairs or changes
will normally be added to your final bill. The builder should advise you of the additional costs involved. To avoid any confusion at the end of the project, you should make a note of any 'extras' you have requested, and ask the builder to confirm costs either in writing or by email.

Disputes

If you are clear in your requirements, keep good records of any changes or additional work you have requested, and help your builder by keeping work areas clear, you should generally avoid any serious disputes.

If you are unable to resolve issues amicably, the FMB has a dispute resolution procedure which may help resolve your complaint.

Feedback

All builders like to receive feedback at the end of a job, it helps to improve service, and it's always nice to know we have another satisfied customer.