When hiring builders, asking the right questions is essential for finding a qualified, reliable, and cost-effective professional. Keep these questions in mind whenever you're in the market for a construction expert.
Whether you're planning a large extension, a loft conversion, or something more minor, you need to feel sure you're hiring a builder who knows what they're doing. If they have previous experience with your type of project – and can prove that – they're worth exploring.
Always ask about their previous experience, and demand evidence of the work they've produced. Any reputable builders should be more than willing to show proof that they know what they're doing. If they're reluctant to share their past work, consider other professionals.
If you'd prefer a builder who has undergone formal training, you're well within your rights to ask whether they're qualified, and for proof of those qualifications. Any professional with a qualification – National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) and City & Guild qualifications are most common – should be willing to show proof.
Professionals should have cards or certificates with their qualification information listed. You can check this information with the issuer to make sure it's legitimate. Remember, too, that formal training is just one of the factors you should consider when hiring a builder.
Accidents, injuries, and damages can occur when construction is taking place at your property, so you need to make sure your chosen builder is covered with public liability and employer's liability insurance.
When the builder is at fault, you could be due compensation that the insurance provider would pay out. If a builder can't provide evidence of their insurance coverage – or if they say they're not insured – it's best to choose a more reliable and prepared service.
The most effective way to gain insights into a builder's service quality, value for money, and communication style is by reading reviews and requesting references from previous clients. You aren't just going to find out whether they produce quality work, but how they handle accidents, mistakes, and hiccups when things aren't going well.
Reputable builders should have no problem providing recent references for you. If professionals cannot provide references or are reluctant to do so, it suggests they're hiding something. In cases like those, browsing other local services is sensible.
When hiring a builder, you obviously need to know how much you're paying for their services, but that's one of many considerations. Ask about payment dates, payment methods, deposit requirements, and all other payment and cancellation terms and conditions, too. You don't want any surprise charges or fees partway through your project!
Ideally, builders should give you a written contract that outlines all of these terms in fine detail. Later on, if there are any disagreements about what they've agreed to, you can simply point to the contract. Builders who are vague or evasive with you should go straight to the back of the line.
You'll want to hire a builder who stands behind the quality of their work and, practically speaking, that means you'll need someone who provides guarantees or warranties. When something goes wrong with your project, guarantees and warranties protect you, ensuring the builder makes things right.
Most reputable builders offer guarantees or warranties, but not everyone. Always ask builders whether they provide warranties or guarantees and, if they do, ask what their terms and conditions entail. Coverage periods and terms vary from one builder to the next.
Builders that offer guarantees or warranties will be easier to deal with when issues crop up, but you still need to know what the process is before something goes wrong. Take a moment to ask how they handle disputes during or after the project.
If they fail to give you a satisfactory answer, it's possible the guarantees or warranties they offer aren't worth much at all. In those cases, you're better off moving ahead with other builders that seem more reliable and trustworthy.
Concerned about a possible disagreement? Read TrustMark's guide on what to do if a project goes wrong now.