The chances are you've heard some horror stories about builders or you may even have a few of your own.
The Office of Fair trading and Citizens Advice get over 125,000 complaints about dodgy maintenance or repair work every year.
There are plenty of good tradespeople but it's fair to say you need to be careful. Choosing the wrong one (whether it's an electrician, bricklayer, carpenter or anything else) can be expensive. Working out the total cost to UK householders is tricky but one study estimates it's close to £2bn a year. Spending a little time finding the right builder could save you some serious cash.
When it comes to spotting a rogue trader there are certain things that should
set your alarm bells tinga-linging right from the start.
Firstly, if a seemingly nice man turns up on your doorstep offering to do some
work don't trust him.
A good builder would be too busy to do this. Often the cold caller will be saying
something like:
"I just noticed you've got a little problem with your drive.”
He’ll be pretty vague on details. People like him often don't give an address or
a fixed line telephone number and they don't give you quotes in writing…they
make up figures that sound really cheap...but don’t be surprised if the price
goes up later.
A builder who tells porkies about their credentials should be avoided like
asbestos sandwiches.
Contact any trade bodies they claim to be approved by.
Another thing to look out for is a builder who wants to start right away. Sounds
lovely doesn't it….no waiting around wondering if they'll appear.
But the trouble is the real scammers will take money upfront, start lots of jobs
in a neighbourhood, and disappear before any of it's finished,
leaving behind communities full of botched jobs and broken hearts
The right way to find a contractor
Good builder
Here's what you should do to give yourself the best possible chance of finding a good builder.
1. Be clear
Decide exactly what you want done. It sounds obvious but if you're not 100% clear it's all going to get messy.
2. Seek wisely
Ask around for recommendations from people you know. Trading Standards website 'Buy with confidence' can help you find local, approved contractors. Your local authority may have its own scheme.
3. Get quotes
Ask at least three builders to give you a price. Make sure they don't give estimates which can get bigger as the job goes on. Check everything is included like materials, clearing waste and disposing of it responsibly.
4. Be nice
Builders don't want to work for awkward clients. If you seem like trouble, you could end up with a more expensive quote.
5. Ask for references
Speak to former customers or go to see past work. A builder who isn’t keen on this is a worry!
6. Check the diary
Ask when the builder would be able to start. Bear in mind that good ones may well have a long waiting list.
7. Listen to your gut
If a builder seems difficult to get along with at the start, it's going to be a whole lot worse when you're complaining about their grouting.
Managing your builder
Finding a good contractor doesn't guarantee the whole process will be
smoother than a builder's bum. You've got to manage your relationship
properly.
Once you've chosen your lovely, reliable builder make sure you get a contract
in writing! It's a good idea to include a deadline for finishing each stage of the
work.
It shouldn’t include any money upfront, though for big projects you might
agree to make payments as work progresses.
When you’ve got the builder round your house be nice and it is ok to make
them a cup of tea. But keep an eye on what they're doing. It’s bonkers to think
that you can just turn up at the end and have the job exactly the way you’d
imagined it.
And, one last piece of advice! Don’t pay for everything until the job is
completely, 100% done. Otherwise you may find your builder loses all
enthusiasm for finishing everything off.
Get this lot right and you can be a rogue trader evader!
Please check our classified pages for a list of reputable local tradesmen.
