If you find yourself contemplating finishing up enhancements to your house similar to an extension, loft conversion or new storage, it’s important that you simply discover a good, dependable builder.
I’m positive that you’ve got seen and heard about lots of the horror tales and disasters created by so referred to as ‘cowboy’ builders. It’s so frequent these days that they’ve even made a complete tv collection on the topic (Cowboy Builders – 5).
So how do you make sure that you keep away from all of those issues and go about discovering your self a superb builder who will not be going to allow you to down?
Nicely, it’s a lot simpler than you might suppose. Basically, all it takes is a little bit of frequent sense, a bit little bit of analysis and a few clear directions and when you comply with our ideas under and you shouldn’t go too far mistaken.
Analysis
It’s best to at all times perform some research to verify the standard of labor carried out by a builder earlier than using them to do any work.
Ask for an inventory of half a dozen earlier purchasers and get in touch with them for suggestions. If potential, prepare to go to one or two of the purchasers and examine the work for your self, significantly if the job is related to the work you want doing. On the very least it is best to ask for written references from the builders earlier purchasers.
Any respected builder shall be very happy to present you this info and so when you meet any resistance or reluctance at this early stage it is best to think twice about whether or not you wish to go any additional.
Look And Behaviour
Examine the looks of the builder earlier than you use them as a result of a ‘dodgy’ builder will usually costume shabbily, drive a clapped out white van, normally with none markings and customarily not come throughout as very skilled. It feels like a cliche however this stuff are the tell-tale indicators of a ‘cowboy’ builder and it is best to steer nicely clear.
By way of behaviour, be very suspicious of any tradesman that won’t decide to a schedule, won’t put something in writing and/or doesn’t give receipts. If they appear too wanting to quote shortly and cheaply with out even correctly wanting on the job they’re quoting on your suspicions must be raised.
Work With An Established Native Company
A tried and examined strategy to keep away from issues along with your builder is to work with an area company that has a longtime reputation. Which means that they’ll have a set workplace deal with, a company phone number and if VAT is being charged, a VAT registration number.
Correspondence on letter headed paper with all of these things listed can be a superb signal of a real business.
Ideally they may also function as a Restricted Company moderately than a sole dealer, however this isn’t important if the opposite issues take a look at.
Mobile phone numbers and e mail addresses are disposable so be cautious if these are the one strategies of contact that the tradesman will provide you with.
The explanation why an area companies is preferable is that they should guard their reputation in the area people as a result of phrase quickly will get round in the event that they do a poor job or let somebody down Patco General Contracting.
Be Clear About Your Necessities
To keep away from any doubt about what you may have agreed, put every part that you really want carried out in writing and ask for a written estimate again from the builder. Once more, any good tradesman price coping with will count on this.
It is crucial that you don’t hold altering your thoughts about what you need as soon as the work has began because the builder will cost you further for modifications at this stage and that is the place many disputes can start.
Clearly, typically issues might want to change and on this case you simply should be clear in regards to the modifications that you really want and agree with the builder any further price that this may increasingly add earlier than the work is completed. Once more, it is best to doc all modifications in writing.
Different Factors To Be Conscious Of
By way of contracts and agreements, the conventional recommendation in these conditions applies. Don’t signal something that you haven’t learn and/or absolutely understood.
With reference to payment for the work, your builder might request some cash upfront however this must be averted if in any respect potential. A good builder will solely count on payment as soon as the work has been accomplished to the agreed plan and signed off as passable. As a rule of thumb, it is best to by no means pay greater than 10% of the entire price up entrance.
On a bigger scale job, stage funds may additionally be obligatory however, once more, you have to be clear upfront about what you might be paying for and when.
In case your builder requests all or half payment in money then stroll away. You may be fuelling the black financial system and leaving your self open to the risk of coping with a rogue dealer.
Lastly, be cautious of anybody who comes knocking at your door providing to ‘do you a favour’ or has ‘supplies left over from a earlier job’ and might do you a ‘nice deal which can prevent cash’. Don’t hear! It is going to by no means prevent cash to make use of a builder on this state of affairs.
What To Do If Issues Go Incorrect
If issues do go mistaken or you might be sad with the standard or extent of the work carried out, discuss to the builder calmly and clearly and clarify why within the first occasion.
If the builder doesn’t reply, the subsequent stage could be to place your grievance in writing.
For those who nonetheless can not get a decision after placing issues in writing, it is best to search additional recommendation. Those who you can flip to are your Solicitor, the Residents Recommendation Bureau, Trading Requirements or the related Trade Affiliation. It actually relies on the character and extent of the issue or dispute.
Abstract
So there you may have it. If you wish to discover a good, dependable builder, perform some research earlier than you begin, be clear about what you need and put every part in writing and use frequent sense in the case of contracts, agreements and payment.
