Renovating
Working with Professionals
Finding reliable craftspeople and managing them effectively to deliver what they promised is an art form in itself that can only be learned through experience. Follow our tips and you'll minimise the risk of hiring John Wayne or the Lone Ranger to build your extension!
The search
The Federation of Master Builders is a great place to begin searching for a reliable tradesperson. Their website is packed full of information and has a simple search facility to find an FMB member in your area. You can also check whether a builder who claims to be a member actually is one by typing in their membership number.
Once you've had initial discussions with three or four contractors, ask to talk to some of their previous customers. Insist on visiting at least two of them to see the quality of their work. Ask all the builders if they can provide an insurance-backed guarantee for the proposed works. The insurance period on this type of guarantee can vary from between 2 to 10 years. See Planning a Big Job for more on managing large building projects.
Get it in writing
You've picked your builder and now you need to agree the minute details of the contract so you know what's included and what's not. A sample contract is available on the Federation of Master Builders website. Agree on a timetable and a completion date, although this may be subject to availability of materials, the weather and agreed changes to the work. Insist on seeing your builder's All Risks insurance certificate. Avoid any builder who does not have this. If your builder requires a deposit to pay for materials, insist on paying for only the first stage of the work.
They're off!
The project is up and running and you're not sure what they're doing or why they're doing it. Don't be afraid to ask. They'll be happy to explain and it's better you iron out any misconceptions now rather than later on the project when it could be too late to rectify. If you really want to make changes to the plans, make them with the builder you agreed the contract with and not the team carrying out the work. This ensures there is somebody keeping across the whole project and able to make changes while minimising the risk to other areas of the work.
Once the building work is finished, ensure everything has been done to your satisfaction. Only pay the outstanding monies when you are completely satisfied the builder has delivered everything in the contract.
The Federation of Master Builders is a great place to begin searching for a reliable tradesperson. Their website is packed full of information and has a simple search facility to find an FMB member in your area. You can also check whether a builder who claims to be a member actually is one by typing in their membership number.
Once you've had initial discussions with three or four contractors, ask to talk to some of their previous customers. Insist on visiting at least two of them to see the quality of their work. Ask all the builders if they can provide an insurance-backed guarantee for the proposed works. The insurance period on this type of guarantee can vary from between 2 to 10 years. See Planning a Big Job for more on managing large building projects.
Get it in writing
You've picked your builder and now you need to agree the minute details of the contract so you know what's included and what's not. A sample contract is available on the Federation of Master Builders website. Agree on a timetable and a completion date, although this may be subject to availability of materials, the weather and agreed changes to the work. Insist on seeing your builder's All Risks insurance certificate. Avoid any builder who does not have this. If your builder requires a deposit to pay for materials, insist on paying for only the first stage of the work.
They're off!
The project is up and running and you're not sure what they're doing or why they're doing it. Don't be afraid to ask. They'll be happy to explain and it's better you iron out any misconceptions now rather than later on the project when it could be too late to rectify. If you really want to make changes to the plans, make them with the builder you agreed the contract with and not the team carrying out the work. This ensures there is somebody keeping across the whole project and able to make changes while minimising the risk to other areas of the work.
Once the building work is finished, ensure everything has been done to your satisfaction. Only pay the outstanding monies when you are completely satisfied the builder has delivered everything in the contract.
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