Do you need an independent or commercial
builder? A good place to start when selecting your builder would probably be by
deciding what type of building work you need completing. For smaller remodeling
work an independent general builder may be right for you, however, a commercial
builder would be more suitable for constructing new builds and developments.
Working with the right people can make the difference between a job that
comes in on time and budget, as opposed to a job which tests both your wallet
and your patience. Whether you decide to go with a big construction company or
a local independent builder, the information in this article should help you
make the right decision.
What should I look for
when selecting a builder?
Like in any field, good companies have strong
word-of-mouth advertisement. This is especially true amongst the construction
industry.
When selecting your builder, you should;
- Make sure that you read their testimonials and reviews,
especially the bad ones but make a fair decision as we can’t please
everyone all the time!
- Confirm with former clients if their final costs
matched their initial quote.
- Question former clients about their experience with the
builder and how they found the overall process of their building project.
A good builder will make a project run smoothly, relieving the client of
most of the stress related to the build.
- Ask former customers whether their work was finished
on time. If a customer reports delays, find out whether the problem could have been avoided by the builder or not. Reasonable delays are expected,
building work is weather reliant after all, but delays should never be due
to the builder slacking.
- A builder's experience in your type of project should
be a high factor when deciding who to select. Try and find out how long
the firm has been in business.
How should I go about
finding the accurate builder?
There are numerous ways of finding a good
builder. Speaking to family and friends is also a brilliant source. You could
also look around your local area for anyone having worked on their homes if it’s
anything like my area people always having building work done! I’m sure the
owner wouldn’t mind if you knock on their door and asked how it was all going.
Tell them you’re considering using the same builders for work on your property.
How should I estimate
my budget when selecting a builder?
In any project, the cost is a significant
factor and a company's original estimate doesn't always tell the whole story.
When considering the cost element of a project, you need to factor additional
things like delays, unaccounted-for materials costs, or even technical issues
which may inflate your project cost well beyond the original estimate.
When checking your proposals, as well as the
price, see if the builder has accounted for as much of the materials he will
need as possible. Most builders are going to be upfront about costs and
timeframes; however, while it's unfortunate, it's also true that there are a lot of builders out there who will submit a fake low bid to score the job.
Avoid potential cost overruns by looking carefully at the scope of what is
covered in each estimate you get.
As a client, how much
control and input will I have in my project?
All of it. You should expect to have full
control and input in your project, through every single stage of development.
Clients should never be in the dark about the progress of builders work and
should be a party to the information the builder has about the project. What
you decide to do with/about that information is your decision but you should be
aware.
Most builders are happy to be left alone to
get on with their work, clients are usually also happy with this ‘no-stress’
arrangement. However, if you are looking to be more hands-on with your project,
make sure you ask your builder detailed questions about client control and
input. If possible, also ask former clients about how satisfied they were with
the level of customer input they had with their project. If your builder seems
put off or uncomfortable by your level of involvement, keep looking, they are
not right for the way you want to work. A first-class builder will always be
happy to receive the client’s input and ideas but the way they execute their
work can differ.
What should I expect
from my builder once he's completed the project?
All good builders are usually very passionate
about what they do. For this reason, if there are any issues once they have
finished they will happily return to put it right. Whatever your reason to call
the builder back, you should always expect the same high level of service you
experienced whilst your project was in full flow.
Your checklist for
choosing a builder:
You should be able to answer the following
questions with an enthusiastic yes in regards to the builder or company you
have decided to use;
- Our former clients of this builder satisfied with the
quality of work carried out on their project?
- Is this builder estimate/quote a thorough and
realistic proposal?
- Will this builder have a devoted team to professionally
manage your project and expectations?
- Will I have a co-operative relationship with this
builder (will we get on!)
- Do I fell my concerns will be addressed, and my
suggestions welcomed throughout the project?
Bishop Ltd – Bespoke
Builders and Developers – Covering Kent and Essex
Contact us for all
your Architectural and Building needs:
We are a leading reputable and experienced
bespoke construction company covering Essex and Kent. Our services include all
aspects of commercial and residential building work. We also provide a
completely managed (Turnkey) construction process spanning the Pre- Construction,
Construction and Post-Construction phases of your project. This includes
Architectural and Construction services, Project Feasibility, Cost Analysis,
and Site Management. Our two offices are located in Loughton Essex and
Aylesford Kent and we operate across most of Essex and Kent.
