FINDING A UK BUILDER

If you’re considering having a new home or extension built, or you need some internal building work to your existing home, you will have to choose a builder to do the job. It is extremely important that you do your homework before appointing the builder to do the work, because if you choose an under-qualified builder you will probably be unhappy with the end result.

To help you in your quest to find a suitable builder, here are a few handy hints and top tips:

1. Interview prospective builders to determine how much experience they have had in the type of building work you require. It is also worth asking them for a list of 10 or more referees, and you should take the time to contact all of these for recommendations. Make sure you meet with the builder on more than one occasion so you get a real idea of what they are like before you appoint them to do the work.
   
   
2. Check whether the prospective builder is a member of a builders trade association, such as the Federation of Master Builders or the National Federation of Builders, and then contact the trade association directly to check the builder is registered. Association members are usually required to follow a code of ethics, which will guarantee a higher quality of work.
   
   
3. Take the time to visit homes that are currently being built by the prospective builder so you can see exactly what kind of work the builder is capable of. You may also want to ask the builder of any finished homes and take a look at them too.
   
   
4. Finally, another great way to ensure you get a reliable and professional builder is to ask for recommendations from family and friends who have recently had building work done on their home. Sometimes an honest opinion about the work of a builder is all it takes to secure or lose them business.