Engaging The Services Of A Builder - dos and don'ts.
Discussion
I am about to have some building work done, but have no experience of hiring builders.
All I know is that in the past, my parents have nightmares with them. A few years back an insurance company appointed a builder to fix the aftermath of a leak in my house and that was a nightmare too.
The guy I have chosen seems OK. Not the cheapest quote, but he's established locally and I think part of the Federation of Master Builders. In the past, my parent's problems with bulders ended in legal action. My view is to get a guy with reputation - something he would be reluctant to lose if it all went wrong.
Basically, I want to have the builder confirm a begining and completion date. I don't want him doing what the insurance builders did which was turn up - rip stuff out then bugger off for a fortnight.
I want to keep it friendly but I would like to have some sort of agreement with him that costs him money if he over runs on the job. The conservatory will be the first job and will need to be finished before another company comes in to fit the kitchen out, so timing is very important.
I assume it's going to be cash up front for materiels etc. What proportion of the cost should this be? I have heard about prices going up during a job - hidden extras. Should I budget in a margin for this, or is it standard paractice to pay an agreed price and no-more.
The job is the construction of a conservatory and the flooring out of a loft with a light and ladder.
As I say, I want to keep it cordial with the builder, but I don't want to get messed around and ripped-off.
Any advice appreciated.
Cheers
All I know is that in the past, my parents have nightmares with them. A few years back an insurance company appointed a builder to fix the aftermath of a leak in my house and that was a nightmare too.
The guy I have chosen seems OK. Not the cheapest quote, but he's established locally and I think part of the Federation of Master Builders. In the past, my parent's problems with bulders ended in legal action. My view is to get a guy with reputation - something he would be reluctant to lose if it all went wrong.
Basically, I want to have the builder confirm a begining and completion date. I don't want him doing what the insurance builders did which was turn up - rip stuff out then bugger off for a fortnight.
I want to keep it friendly but I would like to have some sort of agreement with him that costs him money if he over runs on the job. The conservatory will be the first job and will need to be finished before another company comes in to fit the kitchen out, so timing is very important.
I assume it's going to be cash up front for materiels etc. What proportion of the cost should this be? I have heard about prices going up during a job - hidden extras. Should I budget in a margin for this, or is it standard paractice to pay an agreed price and no-more.
The job is the construction of a conservatory and the flooring out of a loft with a light and ladder.
As I say, I want to keep it cordial with the builder, but I don't want to get messed around and ripped-off.
Any advice appreciated.
Cheers
Thanks for the advice. I checked this guy out, I have his home address - I know the road and have seen his vans there, so I guess he's not a fly by night.
Good point about the stages and the conservatory floor curing time. To build it, there is going to be mess, so I want it done before the nice new kitchen floor is laid down.
I suppose my main worry is that he begins work and then goes missing for days on end.
A friend has suggested drawing up my terms and conditions of business. Ie - I will pay you in stages. At each stage this this and this will be finished. The job will be completed no later than 01 02 12 - or whatever. On completion to my satisfaction - the balance will be paid.
I'm not sure a local builder would go for that.
Dan
Good point about the stages and the conservatory floor curing time. To build it, there is going to be mess, so I want it done before the nice new kitchen floor is laid down.
I suppose my main worry is that he begins work and then goes missing for days on end.
A friend has suggested drawing up my terms and conditions of business. Ie - I will pay you in stages. At each stage this this and this will be finished. The job will be completed no later than 01 02 12 - or whatever. On completion to my satisfaction - the balance will be paid.
I'm not sure a local builder would go for that.
Dan
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