Find a Builder: Hiring the Right Person or Team for Your Project
Find a building contractor you can trust and make sure they're the right fit for the job with our expert advice
Find a builder for your new project and rest easy that they are the right person or team for your project. From lounge extensions to self builds, each project will require a different specialist team.
If your job is big, seek your builders’ advice as soon as you have the initial drawings through. Get them in early, and they may provide crucial advice that will save you time and money.
They may have built something similar previously, affording you the opportunity to see the finished job elsewhere.
1. Find a Builder Working Locally
If you see a builder's sign, it’s a sign that at the very least this is a builder proud of their job.
Finding a local builder can have huge benefits when it comes to your build, their knowledge of local planning permission, builders’ merchants and other local trades are all invaluable nuggets of knowledge that you’ll welcome on site.
You don’t necessarily have to like the style of work they are currently carrying out – after all, many people opt for ordinary extensions and new homes, but you should always try to choose a vetted builder through companies like NABC.
2. Find a Builder Other Trades Recommend
If you’ve used an plumber before or a local painter and liked their work, why not contact them and ask if they know of any good builders they’d recommend.
Most trades get used to seeing the same familiar names around the sites they are working on and often have preferences for who they like to work with and who they see as a good source of work.
3. Ask Friends to Recommend a Builder
Asking friends and family if they’d recommend anyone is always a good place to start.
A lot of builders rely on word of mouth and if you can find a builder through someone whose work you can go and visit, then you can decide about whether they’ll do a good job.
4. Always Talk to Previous Customers
Once you’ve found a builder you want, don’t be afraid to ask them for a list of previous customers, they will be happy to provide details if they have confident, they’ve done a successful job.
Talking to previous customers is a great way of finding out not just about the quality of a builder’s work but also other things that are important.
5. Find a Builder Online
A good place to start looking online to find a builder is on sites like the National Association of building contractors.
All NABC members are vetted and are checked to ensure that they have the correct insurances in place.
6. Find a Builder Through Your Architect
Many local architects and designers will have experience of dozens of projects like yours, in your area. Depending on the extent of your arrangement with your designer, they may be able to help you find a good builder.
7. Beware of ‘Too Good to Be True’ Quotes
It is far better to have an accurate and realistic quote in the first place, and it is your responsibility to make sure of this.
A high price is not necessarily a sign of quality in a building firm but, more than that, it is important to resist the obvious temptations of a low price. If one building contractor comes back with a quote for your work which is significantly lower than the other tender prices, you need to be suspicious.
Get in touch today to find out more
National Association of Building Contractors www.nabc.org.uk
