Though to read the whinging London-centric broadsheet columnists you wouldn't believe it, there are perfectly capable, extremely respectable builders all across the country merely awaiting the order to help you build your dream home.
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Clearly in major population centres good builders will be extremely busy builders, so unless you're willing to accommodate a team from outside the area, this should be factored into your house buying decisions when you first start looking to purchase. After all, many a good marriage has foundered on the rocks of the unfinished conservatory.
A grand old chestnut when looking for a builder is to seek recommendations from friends and relations. This is a uniquely flawed starting place. Just as I wouldn't begin to consider a central heating engineer who didn't have CORGI accreditation, even if great Aunt Mabel did think they had lovely twinkly eyes, it would also be quite foolhardy to take on any hammer wielders who hadn't already signed on to the Federation of Master Builder's codes of conduct.
Once you have researched the builders in your area through the Federation of Master Builders (www.findabuilder.co.uk or telephone 020 7242 7583), you can begin to cross match with names suggested to you by friends, relations etc.
Beware friends recommending their friends or family members. They may be perfectly competent, but it has to be remembered they may not feel the same responsibility to you as a client as they would a close friend or family member. Trust your instincts with word of mouth recommendations. While they can of course be the best and easiest way of making contact with a reliable builder they can also saddle you with a long running nightmare that's hard to wake up from.
Before getting quotes from builders, you will need to make a detailed list of exactly what work you will want done to your property. This should be given to a prospective builder, who, as you brief should be able to identify additional work (and therefore additional costs) that will be needed to achieve what you desire.
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