three builders in a meeting. How To Find A Good Builder

A-Z of DIY & Building Guides How To Find A Good Builder

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Date Published:
27/05/2008

A Cup Of Tea Solves Everything...

It's interesting that most advice about builders follows the line that they should be looking after you, but of course you have to look after them too.

Builders having a break

This can involve bribery in the form of biscuits, tea, coffee, and snacks, but there are other ways of incentivising builders. For example putting a clause in the contract which says if they deliver on time and on budget there'll be a bonus can make all the difference. Penalty clauses don't work quite so well - builders, as human beings, don't respond to threats very well! It's far better to offer a reward for timely completion than a penalty for late completion.

Builders on lunch break

Insurance

It's really easy for projects to go wrong. Construction is a horrible world, and it involves bits of baked earth and mud and lots of rain and and grumpy subcontractors. So it's all about how you mitigate that. Your builder ought to have indemnity insurance, of course, and liability insurance. It's imperative that your project is insured. If for some reason it all goes wrong. Look fully into insurance - a good builder won't be offended by you asking.

Putting the initial effort into researching and finding a reputable builder will be repaid time and time again. Like any good relationship, its success depends on give and take but above all tea and biscuits!

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  1. I run my own building buisness and have done for the past 15 years. I very get frustrated with these programmes for not advertising the "TrustMark" goverment endorsed standards scheme of which we have creditation and protect the consumer. By employing a Trustmark builder the customer is able to have 100% confidance and trust that a professional job will be done. In order to be Trustmark registared, the buisness has to be proved worthy and comply with the code of conduct. Our work is also assessed by an independant body. Trustmark have a dispute resolvement service which is there to protect the customer and the builder. I therefore recommend anyone who is considering having any building work to done, to look for a Trustmark registared builder. They may not neccessarily be the cheapest builder, but you will have the peace of mind in knowing they are a reputible company.
    Posted by Peter Zaminzky on 26/08/2008 22:32:01
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  2. I find the Guild of Master Craftsmen the best source of tradesmen, unlike the FMB they have other tradespeople they have approved, not just builders - plumbers, carpenters, electricians etc.
    Posted by Richard Walsh on 20/08/2008 09:38:49
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  3. Hi Marie Don't suppose you've caught 'Don't Blame The Builder'? It's the new Ch4 show and it tackles exactly this problem. The main question I have for you is this: do you have a contract and what does it say in it? If you don't then you're on quite shaky grounds when it comes to your rights... Can I direct you to these features - they may help you resolve your problem. And I suggest you watch next week's episode, which will be enlightening: http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/don-t-blame-the-builders/how-to-get-on-with-your-builders-08-08-05_p_1.html http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/don-t-blame-the-builders/when-to-call-in-an-arbitrator-08-08-11_p_1.html http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/don-t-blame-the-builders/don-t-blame-the-builders-08-07-29_p_1.html http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/don-t-blame-the-builders/how-to-create-a-building-contract-08-08-12_p_1.html
    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 13/08/2008 13:13:44
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  4. my builder has walk of the job because i wont pay him all the money i own him he has done half the work and he wants the rest of the money now the job was priced at £36,800 iv paid him £34,800 i own him £2,00 so i told him i was not going to pay him untill he was finished and he told me he has not got enuff nomey to finish the job he needs more so when i went to work then came home all of his things had gone so i phoned him the next day because he didnt turn up and he said he was sick of this job he had under priced this and wants more money before he finish it so i was wondering is there anything i can do i realy need help can you help please or give the the info i need or point me in the right way thanks marie
    Posted by marie gaines on 12/08/2008 22:34:03
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