Finding a good quality Builder for Home Extensions and Repairs - Bishop Ltd

When you are looking for builders to help with your Home improvement, it is essential that you feel at ease with them. Some builders, although having many years of experience, may not exactly capture your design needs. Other builders specialize in certain skills that are especially useful to you in achieving your design concepts. It’s worth speaking to your builder about their previous work to establish if they will be able to complete your desired work with confidence.

Today more and more people are brave enough to build their homes from scratch but the majority of builders work is concentrated in home improvements, e.g. extensions to existing properties, or carrying out internal alterations and general repairs.

It is important to check a builder’s customer feedback; first-hand information can be very helpful in making your decision to employ the builder. If possible, it is good to check previous work undertaken by your builder on other projects. That way, you have an idea of what kind of work they will provide for you.

Main Tips for finding good builders:-

Referrals - The most trustworthy sources of information about builders will be found by speaking to your friends and family. They will be eager to tell you all the issues they may have had and how well the builder was able to manage them.

References - Always ask for references, and follow up on them. If a homeowner invites you to look at the work which was completed by your builder, take them up on the offer.

Start looking early – Most good quality builders get booked up in advance. They may find it difficult to start work immediately. By planning ahead you can increase your choice of builders - the "only firm available" is not the right way to select your builder.

Obtain Quotes - Ask a number of builders to quote for the job and take care that they are all quoting on the same work. This way you can make a proper comparison on price. It is essential that both you and your builder are very clear about the work requirements.

Membership of Trade Associations - Reputable builders usually belong to trade associations which have a code of practice and take disciplinary action if the code is broken. Check if your builder belongs to any.

Get expert help - If you have a large the project, or it contains structural elements, make sure that you get suitable guidance, possibly from a structural engineer, to ensure that the proposed work is not going to damage the structure of your existing property. You may also want to ask a Chartered Surveyor to advise on the quotes or contracts.

Ask questions- If unusual payment methods or patterns of payments are suggested, requests for large and unjustified upfront payments, these should be treated with caution. Ask for receipts or pay on invoice.

Insurance- Check that your the builder has the proper insurance to cover the project.

The above useful hints should help you to find a reputable builder for your home improvements. Remember, highly professional builders will be happy to answer all your questions honestly.

Bishop Ltd is a bespoke construction company and, amongst other types of builds, are very experienced in building extensions. Our main services include Architecture and Construction, Project Feasibility, Cost Analysis, and Project Management. We will enhance you property to provide a great additional living space, either attached or detached from your existing property. Clients will receive advice as to when building and planning approvals will be required, of when inspections are due during the build process and on practical matters concerning space, for example, the overall finish and practical use of extensions, including, Glazing, Lighting, Ceilings, security, etc.

Bishop Ltd – Gaining Clarity and Confidence in Your Builder

Planning construction works for your home is a big deal. It is also a very expensive deal! Using the help of your architect, you will have decided upon your specific requirements, drafted your plans, obtained planning permission (as required) and set your budget for your build. It then comes to the time to search for the best-experienced builder you can afford to undertake your work. But what should you clarify with your builder to ensure for a smooth experience?

Before you decide to hire a builder, arrange a meeting and ask them to talk you through any doubts and concerns you may have.

Here are a few questions you could ask your builder for further clarification:

1.    Are you insured? -

Make sure the insurance covers the value of the works being undertaken. Lower insurance may not cover liability or compensation if something goes wrong on site.

2.    How much experience do you have?

If you are choosing from a list of contractors this question will help to determine how professional your builder is. Ask how many times they have undertaken work the same as yours. The more experience they have the better they will be at overcoming obstacles and providing you with a great finish. Ask to see recent projects, visit them and speak to the homeowners where possible.

3.    Will you get regular updates on the construction process?

You have the right to be informed about the construction process on a regular basis. Therefore, ask your builder in advance to keep you updated during the construction.

4.    Does your builder have any special accreditations?

Builders can prove their experience and ability further by obtaining various accreditations to certify their competency in certain areas of work.

5.    Does the builder provide a guarantee for the work?

If your builder provides a guarantee for the work and has not performed well, resulting in poor workmanship, then he will be liable to correct the issue without you paying any extra money. A guarantee will provide you the protection you need in such instances.

6.    Will he ensure the site is secured each an evening to prevent accidents?

For health and safety reasons it is imperative that a site is secured after each working day. Make sure you speak to your builder about this before hiring.

7.    Will you get your estimated quote in writing?

A competent builder will be able to provide you with an estimate of costs for your works before starting. Make sure a breakdown is also included setting out exactly what will, and will not, be covered in the price, and the quote is provided in writing. Any queries or additional charges at a later date can be clarified more easily.

8.    What are your builder's payment terms?

No one should pay the full amount of a construction upfront! You could pay a smaller upfront fee, to show your commitment and allow for materials to be purchased to start the job, and schedule the payments in line with a step by step completion plan of the building project, e.g. second payment on completion of the groundwork. Etc.

9.    Does he provide any compensation for severe delays?

As we know, outdoor building works are weather dependent but if there are severe delays to your project due to your builders not turning up or for any other good reason you should be compensated for your inconvenience if your project is unreasonably delayed. Competent builders will have a very good idea as to how long a project will take so there should not be any major delays from the set completion date. Ask your builder to provide this in writing.

As the client, it is your right to receive clarity on your construction process. It is also your responsibility to ensure you have asked all the right questions and received the answers in writing. Do not be afraid to ask your builder as many questions as you want, it will give you security and peace of mind that your project will run smoothly.

Bishop Ltd is devoted to helping their clients in, and surrounding areas too, Loughton Essex and Aylesford Kent to build or improve their homes. We excel in all areas of building works, including, complete renovations, extensions, building garages, outbuildings and the construction of beautiful brand new homes! All day to day works are fully managed on site, but a turkey management service is also available for those wanting a complete hands-off build service. Where required, we can provide a complete design and build package, our experienced architects will draft your plans and even help with planning submissions. We are also very careful about the protection of our workforce, and the environment, whilst meeting the planned requirements and deadlines of our customers.

Choose High-Quality Bespoke Builders to Construct Your Dream Home | Bishop Ltd

Building your dream home will be one of the most extravagant expenditures you will make in your lifetime. Naturally, you will want your builder and architect to deliver a top quality service, and save some money in the process! So, how should you go about choosing the best service providers amongst the many out there?

There are two main categories of builders, commercial and residential. Commercial builders, as the name suggests, build multiple units at one time for commercial or residential use, for example, a set of flats above a row of shops or numerous residential dwellings in one space. All the properties generally look the same. As a rule, these categories of builders generally stick to commercial builds over residential builds.

In comparison, a residential builder will build anything from a small extension to a large bespoke home. However, residential builders can be categorized further, the small local builder - dealing with the smaller building and refurbishment jobs, and the bespoke home a builder who will be experienced in constructing new homes from scratch and creating larger extensions to existing properties (Bishop Ltd sits within this bespoke builder category). The type of builder you require will depend on the job at hand.

Here are some guidelines that may help you to make an informed decision about building your bespoke new home.

•    Commercial homes are built from templates to ensure the construction is completed quickly. Their exterior designs are usually quite conservative, and their interiors have very limited choice, feeling a little like ‘one fits all’.  On the other hand, bespoke home builders take their time, paying special attention to the finer details requested by the client. They aim to create an exclusive and unique structure, developed with a blend of your innovative ideas and your architect's skills. Small local builders have limited experience and expertise when it comes to bespoke home building and I would suggest you think twice about employing them when it comes to new home construction.

•    Commercial houses are cost-effective, whereas, custom built homes can often be more expensive to build. Design and interiors are a big factor when it comes to costs, if you have expensive design tastes then your cost will be higher than others.

•    It is easier to get references for commercial builders as they are usually tried and tested smaller builders who have worked up the ladder to gain commercial builder status. Bespoke home builders are a little harder to find. In this category of a builder, there is much more choice, you also have to be more diligent here as and the smaller local builders will also often portray themselves as being amongst this category. Be careful or you could become unstuck! Finding a skilled and experienced builder is always a challenge that needs the right approach from you, it needs thoughtful research and preparations.

•    Searching for your builder: Good-quality builders are listed in national home builders associations, of which there are a few. An Internet search can provide details of national associations and a further search would give you names addresses and details of affiliated building companies.

•    Assessing Prima Facie Quality: It should not be difficult for you to get a list of previous clients from your builder. Ask to see references and proof of previous work and speak to past clients where possible and even conduct a direct inspection of their homes. Look for the quality of finish, woodwork, paint, cabinetry, flooring, etc.

•    Sticking To Schedule: Ask the homeowners whether the contractor adhered to the contracted time or prolonged the build without a reasonable explanation.

•    On-site: The builder's site manager must also have a good working relationship with clients, and be able to adapt his delivery to your suggestions (planning restrictions allowing) for any changes, modifications, and concerns during the entire construction process of the build. This is important as thoughts of how your dream home should look can evolve and change as the build progresses.

Whichever type of builder you ultimately decide on to build your home they will have some experiences in common, as I said previously commercial builders were local builders at one time in their careers. However, for a successful build, you must employ a home builder with a proven record of commitment to quality and with the ability to work closely with their clients throughout the preparation and building procedure. It would appear bespoke home builders have more time to share with clients over commercial builders. This means bespoke builders will be more likely to adjust to your build needs as they arise, and be more invested in creating a unique build to add to their portfolio. However, be careful not to employ a small local builder posing as a bespoke home builder for such work as they will lack the expertise in providing you with what you need.

For the further guarantee of your builder's work, you should arrange to see one or more of your chosen builders’ previous builds being showcased. Nothing beats a firsthand assessment of a completed bespoke built home. The cost of bespoke builders may be slightly higher than a commercial builder but you will be getting the build you want and not their version of it! It may also take a little longer to build as the bespoke builder likes to pay special attention to detail but I’m sure with the outcome you will agree it was worth the wait!

Home Refurbishment - 7 important Steps to Finding the Best Local Builder | Bishop Ltd

The current Brexit economic climate means that more and more home-owners are choosing to refurbish their existing homes instead of incurring the huge expense of moving house. Upgrading key areas of your living space can improve the quality of life for your family, and also add value to the property long-term.

Two of the most important areas in a home for achieving these goals are the kitchen and bathroom. Both of these rooms are pivotal to a happy home environment and will have the most impact on your family. It is also necessary for you to find the right builder who will work quickly to minimize disturbance and chaos in your home.

It is vital for you to put in the time and research finding the right trades-person for you, and the work that needs to be carried out. Communication is incredibly important as you will need someone who is able to interpret your plans and ideas and bring them to life.

Certain jobs may necessitate the services of specific trade-persons e.g. plumbers, electricians, painters, etc – a skilled building company will work with a team of professionals to ensure the smooth running of your home refurbishment.

When searching for the perfect builder for your home refurbishment the key factors to consider are:

• First impressions count - after sourcing two to three builders, preferably recommended by satisfied customers, the first conversation will determine whether you can communicate effectively with them for the duration of the project. Are they as keen as you and are they already suggesting best and new ideas?

• Recommendations and feedback are all part of the selection process. Ask to look at current work in progress to see how they work on site - are they neat? Do they have their own washroom facilities or are they going to intrude in your home?

• Ask to see related previous work - if you want a bathroom or kitchen refurbishment you need to view similar examples to see the quality of their work.

• When comparing rates from individual builders make sure you are comparing like for like. The best way to do this is to give detailed plans so that each person is dealing with the same information and can quote accordingly. The cheapest is not necessarily the best.

• In the case of new build homes, check the builders are accredited to the relevant governing bodies e.g. The NHBC in the UK. Are your builders insured? Public Liability is very important! Furthermore, will the work be guaranteed, if so for how long?

• Can the builder advice on building applications and planning regulations e.g. how long will the planning application take from start to finish and how long are the plans valid for? All this is necessary so you can plan the overall time-scale of the job.

Home renovation can be exciting and scary at the same time. However, with the right checks and research, you should be able to find a reputable trades-person who can deliver your expectations in a professional way and with as little stress as possible. Your re-designed home can become a reality and hopefully a good investment for the future.

Bishop Ltd builders offer a complete building and project management service for home extensions and home refurbishments. For more details about refurbishments, improvements and extension visit our website www.bisholptd.com.