Bishop Ltd - Builders: How Do I Choose?

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:

0208 926 2010 |info@bishopltd.com | www.bishopltd.com

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.

Quick Sale Renovations that Also Add Value to Your Property – Bishop Ltd

Our home is usually our most prized possession. It would have taken years of saving to purchase it, and you would have been full of hopes and expectations when moving in. Once you’ve moved in, you would have kept it in pristine condition, right? Well, even with all the will in the world, it doesn’t always work out that way and in time we relax into our surroundings without paying too much attention to them. Then a few years down the line there comes a time when we decide to move again. This is when we realize our home needs a little help to sell more quickly and for us to gain the highest price possible for it. However, unless we have managed to keep up with the regular maintenance and renovations, our homes may not give us as good a return as we hope. Here, we will look at the most profitable renovations you can carry out to add value to your home come sale time.

 Most Important Renovations to Increase the Value of Your Home

• Update Your Color Scheme: A home renovation is incomplete without a touch of new and vibrant colors on your walls. Coloring your home not only makes it feel wonderful and new but also increases the value of your property dramatically. When you come to resell your property make sure you give it a nice new lick of paint before putting it on the market. This alone will not only add value to your property but will also make it much more appealing to buyers. 

• Redo Your Kitchen: The kitchen tends to be the most visited room of any house and is rightly called the heart of a home. Therefore, if you put a little thought and creative flair into this room, tidy away all the usual things we all have laying around our countertops, etc., you can expect a significant increase in the value of your property. You don’t have to spend a fortune, rather look at it as an investment in helping you to move forward quickly. Why not install a fresh new appliance that you can take with you when you move? You don’t have to go to the expense of retiling all the walls, you could simply remove old tiles, re-plaster and paint the walls and maybe add a new splash-back behind the cooker (the new one that you will be taking with you!)

• Give Your Bathroom/WC a Facelift: If possible, change that ‘funky’ colored bath suite; it really can make a difference to viewers. Opt for a simple white suit that won’t cost you the earth. Moldy grout is one of the worst culprits in making your otherwise pristine bathroom look old and scruffy. Re-sealing around your bathtub is easy and quick, you could even do it yourself, it will make a huge difference to your bathroom if you get rid of that nasty seal. With old sanitary ware that you can’t afford to change, you’ll need a good pair of gloves and ‘get scrubbing’, make it look as clean and sparkling as possible. De-clutter the rest of the area, and no knitted toilet roll holders!

• Increase Light and Space in Your Property: Dark or cramped rooms are not appealing to potential buyers when it comes to selling your property. They give your home a shabby and tired appearance, potentially putting buyers off as they think there is too much work to do to achieve their desired look. A bright and airy house will always sell faster than a dark and cluttered one. You must increase the light and space of your property to make it look presentable and appealing to buyers. You can open up your house in different ways to increase the flow of natural light and make it look comfortable. Painting the walls in lighter shades or moving furniture around will help - or even out of the house altogether, you may be forgiven for having a cluttered garage if the house looks nice! Also, you could have a play around on paper and draft some re-designs of your home, after all, no one knows your property as you do. Why not remove some walls to create an open plan living area or add a vaulted ceiling, both designs would make your entire property feel larger. Show your sketches to potential buyers, if they are looking for a renovation project (now or in the future) it will give them good ideas of what they could do with your property if purchased. Get the buyer to buy into the dream without spending a penny!

• Create a Home Office: Nowadays, an increasing number of companies are giving their employees the option to work from home and thus, creating a home office really can add value to your property. If possible, set aside a room or space in your home and convert it into a home office area. Add simple, inexpensive furniture to achieve the look – add your computer/laptop and a phone line socket as the finishing touches. 

In conclusion, we can say home renovations executed correctly can play a pivotal role in increasing the value of your property and the time it takes to sell. Whenever you decide to sell your home consider following some of the points above to get a better response from buyers.

Dedicated Local builders in Gravesend Kent – Bishop Ltd

We all have completely different expectations from our dream home. Nowadays, abundant information available on the internet it makes it far easier to search out a Local builder in Gravesend Kent than ever before, however, it’s still valuable to state some basic rules which can enable you to employ the right builder for you whilst avoiding some of the hassles or issues. 

Bishop Ltd Construction Company offers a wide range of building services across Kent, and Essex. They have decades of experience across diverse Construction projects, as both Main Contractors and Sub- Contractors on larger projects. Contact: 02089262010.

Bishop Ltd – Do It Yourself (DIY) or Employ Builders?

By making the right choices in the beginning you can save money on your building works. However, after saying this you must be realistic! We all have a DIY demon inside us, especially when we are trying to save money, thinking we can do just as well as the professional ourselves. This is not always the case and DIY disasters can lead you to the nearest A&E dept. at your local hospital! Be realistic, can you manage the task at hand or should you employ someone to do the work for you?

Employing a professional could potentially save you thousands if you get it wrong trying to complete the job yourself, and a lot of headaches too. There is no point in trying to attempt a job that is simply outside of your capability, better to leave it to the professionals.

If you have decided that you will be doing some or all of the work yourself then be realistic in terms of time, even a small a building project can take weeks or even months to complete, especially if you also, hold down a full-time job. Consider the time you have available and be honest with yourself about how much time you can dedicate to DIY.

For smaller more manageable DIY jobs, you should do your research before attempting something for the first time; there are lots of videos on the internet for guidance, tap into them. If you do not feel confident after your research then simply do not do it! Same goes for overconfidence; this can be just as disastrous and dangerous, remember the old saying ‘don’t bite off more than you can chew’!

For bigger jobs involving building works, note that you will also need the services of an architect, and yes although architects do have some knowledge about how to build they are not builders. Do not make the mistake of over-relying on your architect to guide you on how to build your project; this is not their specialist subject. Professional builders will tackle your project with ease.

Make a Plan! Before starting any sort of building or renovation work you need to sit down and plan it, not just of how you want the finished project to look but also how the work will affect your everyday life, and prepare for it. When it comes to design, start planning early and put together a file that you can add pictures and articles to and build up a visual representation of what you want to achieve. If you are good with computers, create excel or word file laying out all the rooms you are going to renovate or extend. Then list the jobs you feel confident in doing yourself and the ones that you will be employing professionals to complete. Don't create your lists from memory, go to each room and look carefully at it to see what changes are needed or wanted. This will help you see what work needs to be carried out and where things like furniture will go once the work is completed. For renovations, sometimes it’s a good idea to declutter the space before you start making your lists, creating a blank canvas, so you can see exactly what space you have to work with.

Do you have the right tools for the jobs you intend to carry out? Building tools can be very expensive and a pain to store afterward if you’re not intending to go into the building trade! You can hire tools but not everything and once the work is finished you may find yourself with a much-cluttered garage. Again, make a list of what tools you will need and how much they will cost to buy or hire. You need to add the cost of your tool to your budget.

If DIY is not your forte then here is a short list of points to consider when hiring the services of a professional builder:

1. Always ask for a written quote. You can refer to this and it saves confusion later.

2. Do they seem professional and does their company have structure? Stay away from cowboy builders! Research your builder before employing them, company websites are a good place to start but don’t rely solely on them, ask to see previous works or even speak to past clients.

3. Ask when they can start the work, most good reputable builders are usually very busy so plan. If they say they can start today, be very cautious!

4. Persistently calling and pestering you to gain the work could be a sign of a cowboy builder, best avoided. Ethical and reliable building companies will contact you to discuss your needs but will not pester you once you have spoken, they don’t have the time!

5. Does the builder seem passionate about his work, and not just out to make a quick buck? Builders who take pride in their work will spend time discussing your project with you and make suggestions, like, best materials to use to improve certain design aspects.

6. Do you like this person? Remember your builder will be in your home for a good length of time so it’s important that you feel at ease with him, and (more importantly) that you can work with him.

7. Late for the appointment? If the builder has contacted you about being delayed for your appointment then they should not be penalized for this, building sites are unpredictable and any number of issues could have arisen on the day causing the delay. However, no call / no show would mean alarm bells should be ringing.

8. Are they local? – Local builders are easier to deal with especially if they need to come back to correct any issues later, they also know the area better when it comes to planning advice than out of area companies.

9. Will the builder provide you with a contract to cover the work period? This should be a YES! A contract will protect both parties so it makes sense for a builder to provide you with a contract to protect you and himself.

10. What guarantees/warranties will you be given? Most reputable builders will come back to fix something within a reasonable period, even if it falls outside of the guaranteed period, their good reputation is often based on satisfied customers. Guarantees are usually for around 12 months for general building works.

10. How do they want you to pay? – Ask the builder about their payment terms and how they want to be paid. Cash payments are the least safe mode of payment as there will be no official proof of any payments made; instead, it would better to arrange bank transfers to complete any payment requests. Some companies will allow you to make payments at set stages of your project.

Hope these tips help! Please follow my blogs for future posts. Thank you.

Bishop Ltd – Bespoke Builders and Developers – Covering Kent and Essex

Contact us for all your design and build needs: 0208 926 2010 |

info@bishopltd.com

We are a leading reputable and experienced bespoke construction company covering Essex and Kent. Our services include all aspects of commercial and residential building works. We also offer a completely the managed turnkey construction process for complete hands-off clients, spanning the Pre- Construction, Construction and Post-Construction phases of your project. This includes Architecture and Construction, 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.

Experienced Local builders in Loughton Essex | Bishop Ltd

Bishop Ltd is a bespoke construction company that offers their clients all building services needed to build the property of their dreams or carry out refurbishments on their existing homes.

Bishop Ltd was developed by working within his family's construction business for over 25 years. Our business manager brings over 25 years. Both are heavily invested in ensuring Bishop Ltd is a successful and trustworthy building company, they are 100% committed to delivering the best possible result for their clients and always aim to complete their projects within the clients' budget and timeframe. 

Bishop Ltd specializes in Commercial and Residential new builds, fit-outs, refurbishments, improvements, and extensions, as well as delivering a complete Project Management service for their clients in Loughton Essex, Aylesford Kent, Dartford Kent, Gravesend Kent, and Chigwell Essex. Contact us for details.