Hiring a builder – 10 easy to follow steps

Hiring a builder 10 easy to follow steps

If this is the first time you've ever needed a builder or building firm, you'd be forgiven for having some trepidation about making the right hire. Sadly, in recent years the unethical few have given the rest of the building trade a bad name, which can make life very difficult for people looking to bring in a professional team. Here, I've compiled a list of 10 easy to follow steps to help your decision-making process much easier.

1. It always helps to have a clear idea of what you want before you pick up the phone. You want to make sure that by the time you speak to a builder, you know exactly what you want. It could help to speak to friends and relatives who have had similar projects undertaken to give you a better idea of what is achievable.

2. When you have that idea in place, it will also help to ask people you know for recommendations of building firms they have employed and are happy to endorse.

3. It's a good idea to ask them for details of their unfortunate experiences, too. Learning from the mistakes they made will help you avoid common pitfalls when choosing and managing a building firm.

4. It always helps to have a shortlist of potential builders, so there could be some benefit in using a business directory to identify a list of local firms.

5. As online directories often provide links to websites, this is a great way to get to know the companies on your list. Visit their sites and have a look at the services they offer, the qualifications they have, their experience, any credible testimonials on the site and images of previous work.

6. It's also a good idea to make a note of any individuals mentioned within the site. Using these and the company name, you can use search engines and forums to see what's being said about these firms online.

7. By now you should have a two or three builders that appear suitable. To double check, it could be worth speaking with the National Federation of Builders to make sure each of your shortlisted firm is credible.

8. Once you're satisfied, ask three of the building firms to provide you with a quote for the job. You'll want this in writing, which is why having a clear brief of what you want in mind is crucial. If planning permission is required, the builder should let you know at this stage.

9. If the firm you initially choose asks for money up front, don't just pay straight away. In most cases there should be no reason for pre-payment, so find out why and make sure there's a valid reason such as needing specialist equipment or resources. If you're in any doubt, the NFB should be able to advise.

10. When you make your choice, request in writing full details about the project. As well as the aforementioned quote, this should also detail working hours; start and completion date; toilet arrangements; and any other information you want to know from the outset.

POST COMMENT

When Hiring a Contractor Don't Make These Mistakes Elements to contemplate prior to hiring Vancouver paving company Top 4 Hiring Mistakes Made By Managers and How To Avoid Them What to look for when hiring a HIAB crane Things You Need To Keep In Mind Before Hiring An Excel Programmer Criminal Background Check for Safe Hiring Some important questions before hiring locksmith Manchester How To Go About Hiring Lawn Care Staff The Benefits Of Hiring Expert Roofers Hiring a Minibus in the UK Benefits Of Hiring A Yellow Cab The Rewards of Hiring a Personal Trainer Hiring a Car in NYC