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Get the best from your builder
Cowboy
contractors are costing us money – around £1.5 billion
per year. That’s the amount it costs consumers to put right
the wrongs caused by fly-by- night builders, says the Federation
of Master Builders (FMB)s
Why do builders get a bad name?
The truth is that for every bad story you hear there are hundreds
of happy customers. So how do you get the best out of your builder?
Improving your home doesn’t have to result in contractor chaos.
If you are about to start a major home improvement project, following
a few simple guidelines will help to ensure that you get the best
from your builder.
Check them out
Do your research. A building firm could be in your home
for several weeks, so it is important that you can trust them. Get
references, which a good professional will be happy to provide,
and check them out. If the builder claims to be a member of a trade
association such as the FMB, check what that membership means and
find out if they really are members. Scrutinise their credentials
before going ahead. Don’t just rely on Yellow Pages, search
for a vetted local builder at the FMB’s website, www.findabuilder.co.uk.
Get a quote
You need several detailed written quotes and not just
“It’ll cost around £10,000”. A good builder
would prefer this anyway; it gives them time to think properly about
the job and what it will entail.
Eager legals
Be aware of the legal requirements you must fulfil when
having major improvements done. This is not up to the builder, unless
you specifically ask him to do it. The work may require Building
Regulations approval as well as planning permission, which can be
a lengthy and complicated process – your local council will
advise you.
Draw up a contract
As ‘project manager’ you need to ensure that you know
what you want and how you are going to get there. For example, what
type of shower or boiler do you want? The cost of the product and
installation may vary a great deal depending on the system chosen.
A contract is a 100 per cent necessity on every job to prevent misunderstandings.
Draw up a written contract, with an agreed timetable that both you
and the builder are happy with. The FMB has standard contracts for
use by anyone using its recommended builders in “Crystal Mark
approved” plain English.
Keep talking
Help your builder to understand the look you are going
for by showing them magazine pictures of similar projects. Make
sure you fully understand every step of the building process and
don’t let jargon put you off. A professional builder should
explain things clearly to ensure that there are no nasty surprises!
If you’re unhappy about the work, talk to your builder immediately.
Most things can be amended before they are finished.
Monitoring the job
Keep tabs on how the job is going; if it’s complicated
arrange a regular half-hour with your builder on agreed days. If
you have personal requirements, such as no radios or smoking, or
you’d rather not share your toilet or kitchen facilities,
make sure these are known before the job begins. But bear in mind
that having happy workers may help achieve a successful outcome,
so try to compromise.
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