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Having good building contractors
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While you are considering undertaking improvements to your dwelling such as for example an extension, loft conversion or new garage, it is essential that you find a good, reliable builder.
I am sure you have seen and found out about a lot of the horror stories and disasters developed by so called 'cowboy' builders. It is so common nowadays that they have even made a whole television series about them (Cowboy Builders - Five).

So how can you ensure that you avoid many of these problems and start finding yourself an excellent builder who's not going to enable you to down?

Well, it is just a lot easier than you may think. Essentially, all it requires is a little bit of common sense, a small amount of research and some clear instructions and if you follow our tips below and you should not go too far wrong.

Research

It is best to do some research to confirm the quality of work performed by way of a builder before employing them to accomplish any work.

Ask for a list of half a dozen previous clients and contact them for feedback. When possible, arrange to visit one or two of the customers and view the work for yourself, especially if the job is pertinent to the work you will need doing. At the minimum you should require written references from the builders previous clients.

Any reputable builder will be more than happy to offer you this information therefore in the event that you meet any resistance or reluctance at this early stage you need to think carefully about whether you want to go any further.

Appearance And Behaviour

Check the looks of the builder before you utilize them just because a 'dodgy' builder will most likely dress shabbily, drive a clapped out white van, usually without the markings and generally not run into as very professional. It appears like a cliche but these exact things will be the tell-tale signs of a 'cowboy' builder and you should steer well clear.

With regard to behaviour, be very suspicious of any tradesman that will not invest in a schedule, will not put anything on paper and/or will not give receipts. If they seem too eager to quote quickly and cheaply without even properly looking at the job they're quoting for your suspicions should be raised.

Work With An Established Local Company

A tried and tested means of avoiding issues with your builder would be to utilize a local company that has an established reputation. Therefore they will have a fixed office address, an organization telephone number and when VAT is being charged, a VAT registration number.

Correspondence on letter headed paper with many of these items listed is also a good sign of an authentic business.

Ideally they will also operate as a restricted Company rather than sole trader, but this is not essential if the other things check out.

Mobile telephone numbers and email addresses are disposable so be wary if these are the only ways of contact that the tradesman will give you.

The reason why an area businesses is preferable is that they have to guard their reputation in the local community because word soon gets around if they do a poor job or let someone down.

Be Clear About Your Requirements

In order to avoid any doubt in what you have agreed, put everything that you want carried out in writing and have for a written estimate back from the builder. Again, any good tradesman worth dealing with will expect this.

It is important that you don't keep changing your brain about what you want after the work has started because the builder will ask you for extra for changes at this stage which is where many disputes will start.

Obviously, sometimes things will need to change and in this case you just need to be clear concerning the changes you want and buy into the builder any additional cost that this may add prior to the work is done. Again, check here should document all changes on paper.

Other Points TO UNDERSTAND

With regard to contracts and agreements, the normal advice in these circumstances applies. Do not sign whatever you haven't read and/or fully understood.

About payment for the work, your builder may request some money in advance but this will be avoided if possible. A reputable builder is only going to expect payment once the work has been completed to the agreed plan and signed off as satisfactory. As a rule of thumb, you must never pay a lot more than 10% of the total cost up front.

On a more substantial scale job, stage builder payments may also be necessary but, again, you should be clear upfront about what you are paying for and when.

If your builder requests all or part payment in cash then leave. You will be fuelling the black economy and leaving yourself available to the risk of dealing with a rogue trader.

Finally, be skeptical of anyone who comes knocking at your door offering to 'do you a favour' or has 'materials left over from the previous job' and can can you a 'great deal that may save you money'. Usually do not listen! It'll never save you money to hire a builder in this example.

What To Do If Things FAIL

If things do go wrong or you're unhappy with the product quality or extent of the work carried out, speak to the builder calmly and clearly and explain why in the beginning.

If the builder does not respond, the next stage would be to put your complaint in writing.

If you still cannot get yourself a resolution after putting things in writing, you need to seek further advice. People that you could turn to are your Solicitor, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Trading Standards or the relevant Trade Association. It certainly depends on the type and extent of the issue or builder dispute.

Summary

So there you own it. If you need to look for a good, reliable builder, do some research before you start, be clear about what you need and put everything on paper and use good sense when it comes to contracts, agreements and payment.

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