Garage Conversions with Local Builders –Bishop Ltd

Are you in need of space? Who isn't? A garage conversion could be your answer!

Garage conversions are an economical way to gain more room from your property, in turn, utilizing an area of your home that is often neglected. No matter what you want to use this room for by employing a reputable builder you can make it happen. For these smaller works, it makes sense to employ a good local builder as a local builder will be more inclined to accept a smaller job if it is closer to his home, garage conversions would be classed as smaller jobs for a good building company. Logistically, there will be less likelihood of late arrivals to hold up your work and less time spent by your builder fighting traffic jams! The builder may also reduce his price if he does not have to account for lengthy travel and fuel costs. Should any issues arise after the work is completed, it would be easier for a local builder to pop in and fix the problem rather than you having to wait until the long distant builder is able to come your way again. Generally, you will be able to find experienced builders in your area if you talk to friends and family or by a quick search on the internet. However, make sure you do your homework before employing them.

A basic garage conversion should only take a matter of weeks to complete. In most instances, existing garages usually have lighting and, depending on what you are using the new space for, you could also have heating installed in readiness to use as an extra room within (or adjacent to) your home. In addition, you should not experience much inconvenience while the work is in progress as it will be away from the main house. However, and very importantly, you should always contact your local council offices to check if your intended building work is subject to planning permission before starting any works. If your conversion is subject to planning then consider laying foundations to accommodate a second story at a later date (again subject to planning permission!) Don’t forget to also budget for the demolition and removal of any existing garage/building!

Garage conversions are perfect for many homeowners looking for that gym/playroom/ extension to your existing lounge etc. Why not contact your local builder and ask them for advice on how best you can utilize the space? Local builders will have completed many jobs like yours and are a valuable source of knowledge, both for the design and build and also with planning requirement questions. Just make sure you have chosen the right builder for you, and tap in! You may be amazed at all the options you come up with once you get your thinking cap on. Wouldn’t it be great to wake up in the morning and walk less than 20 feet to the office, with all your paperwork stored outside of your home but still to hand? What more could you ask for?

A further great advantage of garage conversions is that they add value to your home. It’s a “win-win” situation! It’s time to stop using that valuable space as a very large junk cupboard and put it to good use, whilst also increasing the value of your property. You will love the return on your investment come sale time!

If you have a garage collecting cobwebs and are crying out for more space it’s a no brainer…Convert that garage!!

Contact Bishop Ltd – Builders and Developers - for all your building needs!

We are a leading bespoke commercial and residential construction company. Our services include a completely managed construction process, spanning the Pre- Construction, Construction and Post-Construction phases of your project. Our main services include Architecture and Construction, Project Feasibility, Cost Analysis, and Project Management. We have offices in Loughton Essex and Aylesford Kent and operate locally across Essex and Kent.

General Local builders Dartford Essex| Bishop Ltd

Are you looking for building services in ME20 7BT? We are working in Kent, Essex; Dartford is one of the major towns in Kent, for all your Dartford General Local Builders, look no further. Bishop Ltd has over 25 years of excellent experience in this industry, so you know you’ll be choosing a top quality company for the work you require. 
We manage the complete construction process seamlessly, spanning the Pre-Construction, Construction and Post-Construction phases of a project. Our highly efficient Project Management Team is made up of experienced construction managers, working in both the UK and abroad. 
As a company, we understand each project is unique, and therefore, every Project Team is assembled based on their specific suitability, skill-set, and experience. Our Construction team is made up of only the very best tried and tested tradesmen.

We pride ourselves on safety and competitive prices, so get in touch with us today and see what we can do for you. Just call us on 02089262010.

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!