subject: How to Choose a Reliable Builder in Liverpool [print this page] How to Choose a Reliable Builder in Liverpool
Avoiding the Cowboy Builders
Unbelievable! Your roofs leaking again after employing the cheapest contractor to do the job (you thought it was quite odd for a builder to wear spurs on his boots); you consult the Russian Roulette (telephone directory) once again hoping this time that you have made the right choice. You wait with baited breathand suddenly pull back your blinds with dread as you hear the sound of the horse's hoofs tatter up your driveway. Oh no not John Dwayne the roofer again!
Like any industry, the building trade has its fair share of ruthless cowboy builders providing you with poor building repairs and refurbishments, giving the rest of the industry a bad name. Through this article we hope to provide you with an insight into how to choose a reliable builder in Liverpool and the rest of the UK.
Don't pull the trigger of uncertainty, do your research!
The building maintenance trade has become a VERY competitive market and thus a building contractor that has a large advertising campaign isn't always the best option. Put your sheriff's hat on and start asking questions like, do you have references from previous clients (preferably respected clients that you know you can trust)? How long have you been trading? Do the builders have CSCS cards? Is the company a member of the National Federation of Builders? Can you see previous examples of work? By the end of the interrogation you'll have a better idea if you have your man.
CRB checked Builders
We are in uncertain times and you need to make sure your builders are CRB checked more than ever. You are inviting strangers into your property and a copy of these should be available to you if you feel you require them, as the building trade now demands that all tradesmen have a CRB check.
Cheapest price doesn't always mean best solution.
Everyone loves a bargain and getting value for money is always a great feeling but bargain basement prices, usually means bargain base products and tradesmen and a possible cowboy estimate. When you hire that slightly more expensive team of builders it is likely that you are going to get a job that lasts and is of a high standard with quality produce.If you want good services, expect to pay the higher price. This doesn't mean you have to go for the most expensive option, it is recommended to get 3 quotations from 3 reputable local builders.
Never agree to cash in hand ( no tax paid ) as although it seems easier, it should be avoided as cash jobs are not legally binding and offer you no protection if the job goes wrong.
Sheriff to clean up the cowboy tradesmen
No one likes to be taken for a ride especially when a lot of money is involved and hiring reputable plumbers, joiners, roofers and painters to do the best job possible is getting harder to identify and more puzzling to who to choose. TWF Limited (http://www.twflimited.com)is one of the companies in Liverpool that has a reputation second to none; a small family building maintenance specialist contractors that has been established in Liverpool since 1976 and has employed all of their builders for between 10 and 34 years. They specialise in Building repairs and total refurbishments working for the likes of the Arch Diocese of Liverpool, LFC Sports Academy and Local Schools. Their reputation is second to none and they say references can be provided on request.
Don't get caught out, as Sir Francis Bacon once said "knowledge is power" remember to do your research and you'll win the building standoff.
