What we learnt about employing a builder...
Check that your builder belongs to a recognised trade body. You can contact a local builders' association for a list of registered members.
Put your project requirements into the Your Project section of the Federation of Master Builders website Local builders will contact you.
Check that your builder has public liability insurance.
Get several quotes. We got five. Each one spotted things the others missed, so we got a good overview of the extent of the work.
Ask your builder for references. It was reassuring to hear from satisfied customers.
Get each element of the work itemised and priced.
Make a written agreement - outline the work to be done, the date of completion, arrangements for waste and rubble disposal, hours of working.
Agree a payment schedule in advance. Don't pay a deposit up front before the builder starts work.
Agree that the builder won't do anything or specify anything without checking with you first.
Check that the work won't affect your home or contents insurance.
Get in plenty of tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits.
Live with an architect, primarily so you have someone to blame if things go wrong.
No comments:
Post a Comment