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!