Renovating
How to Hire the Right Builder for Your Project
An insider’s guide to what you need to know when hiring a builder and how to work with them successfully
Hiring the right builder is pretty crucial to the success of your project. Not only will it determine the quality of the finished product, it will also shape a large part of your daily life – and sanity levels – for numerous months.
To successfully engage a building firm to carry out work for you, you need to enter the marketplace with a degree of understanding of how things work, and a game plan. After all, your home is your sanctuary, and before you invite somebody else in, you need to have total confidence in them, both professionally and personally.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you understand the process a little better, and hopefully ensure you find a professional that’s right for you.
To successfully engage a building firm to carry out work for you, you need to enter the marketplace with a degree of understanding of how things work, and a game plan. After all, your home is your sanctuary, and before you invite somebody else in, you need to have total confidence in them, both professionally and personally.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you understand the process a little better, and hopefully ensure you find a professional that’s right for you.
Scrutinise previous work
Checking out a builder’s portfolio is possibly the most important demonstration of knowledge and skill. Quality builders are proud of their work and will not hesitate to show you. Between mobile devices, websites such as Houzz and social media, work can easily be showcased, so be wary if anyone is being cagey.
In theory, a builder should be able to show you the step-by-step processes they will carry out if you decide to go with them. You might even be able to visit similar projects they’re currently working on or have completed in the past. This is an excellent way to see the standard of work they’re capable of.
Don’t just focus on the finished product, though. While a decorated and furnished space may look great, what’s most important in a build is what’s beneath the surface. Don’t be afraid to test them. Ask them questions – a good builder will relish the opportunity to show off their knowledge.
Find reviewed builders in your area on Houzz.
Checking out a builder’s portfolio is possibly the most important demonstration of knowledge and skill. Quality builders are proud of their work and will not hesitate to show you. Between mobile devices, websites such as Houzz and social media, work can easily be showcased, so be wary if anyone is being cagey.
In theory, a builder should be able to show you the step-by-step processes they will carry out if you decide to go with them. You might even be able to visit similar projects they’re currently working on or have completed in the past. This is an excellent way to see the standard of work they’re capable of.
Don’t just focus on the finished product, though. While a decorated and furnished space may look great, what’s most important in a build is what’s beneath the surface. Don’t be afraid to test them. Ask them questions – a good builder will relish the opportunity to show off their knowledge.
Find reviewed builders in your area on Houzz.
Define your scope of works
In order to start getting quotes from building companies, you’ll need what’s called a ‘scope of work’, or SOW, which is your specification of the project. This document will be your checklist of everything involved in the project.
You can create the job specification yourself by using the internet to educate yourself on the process needed to achieve your goals. Use online forums – try Houzz Discussions – to ask questions, and browse websites. Immersing yourself will make communication between you and your builder much easier if you understand a bit about their work. You will find that different builders have different solutions for the same objective, and the plan might change organically throughout the project.
Alternatively, you can ask an expert to go through the design and planning with you. Some firms may ask for some financial commitment, others may offer a free planning service.
In order to start getting quotes from building companies, you’ll need what’s called a ‘scope of work’, or SOW, which is your specification of the project. This document will be your checklist of everything involved in the project.
You can create the job specification yourself by using the internet to educate yourself on the process needed to achieve your goals. Use online forums – try Houzz Discussions – to ask questions, and browse websites. Immersing yourself will make communication between you and your builder much easier if you understand a bit about their work. You will find that different builders have different solutions for the same objective, and the plan might change organically throughout the project.
Alternatively, you can ask an expert to go through the design and planning with you. Some firms may ask for some financial commitment, others may offer a free planning service.
Agree on a schedule
Before you make a decision, be sure to get at least a rough schedule to accompany each quote. One builder’s price may be 10% lower than the next, but they may be expecting the work to take six months, compared to the four months you were hoping for.
A really professional company may produce a ‘Gantt chart’ to map the timeline of the project. This is probably the most visually clear way of seeing the plan of progress and is an excellent document to have, so you can compare how much progress has been completed compared to how long it was expected to take.
Keep copies of all of these documents, so you can track any adjustments to the schedule or specification as the work goes on.
It’s easy to follow the progress of a project if your contractor uses Houzz Pro software, which tracks everything from timelines to messages and floor plans in one place.
Before you make a decision, be sure to get at least a rough schedule to accompany each quote. One builder’s price may be 10% lower than the next, but they may be expecting the work to take six months, compared to the four months you were hoping for.
A really professional company may produce a ‘Gantt chart’ to map the timeline of the project. This is probably the most visually clear way of seeing the plan of progress and is an excellent document to have, so you can compare how much progress has been completed compared to how long it was expected to take.
Keep copies of all of these documents, so you can track any adjustments to the schedule or specification as the work goes on.
It’s easy to follow the progress of a project if your contractor uses Houzz Pro software, which tracks everything from timelines to messages and floor plans in one place.
Get quotes from multiple firms
Once you have your scope of works, you need to focus on finding the right company for you. Get quotes from multiple firms and choose the one you feel is the best.
The most important thing to bear in mind is that the lowest price isn’t necessarily going to be the best. You might find the under-priced job is under-priced for a reason: that could mean it’s under-specified and little ‘extras’ start to appear, because they weren’t accounted for from the start.
The key to this process is creating a highly detailed specification, and making sure the specification is exactly the same for each company you approach.
Once you have your scope of works, you need to focus on finding the right company for you. Get quotes from multiple firms and choose the one you feel is the best.
The most important thing to bear in mind is that the lowest price isn’t necessarily going to be the best. You might find the under-priced job is under-priced for a reason: that could mean it’s under-specified and little ‘extras’ start to appear, because they weren’t accounted for from the start.
The key to this process is creating a highly detailed specification, and making sure the specification is exactly the same for each company you approach.
Ascertain whether they can help with Planning Permission
For anything like an extension or a larger project, you’ll need architect’s drawings and you may well need Planning Permission, too.
This can be a daunting process if you’ve never done it before, but some building firms will actually take on this planning aspect of the project for you. They will have architects who they work with closely and regularly, and they will be experienced in the planning application process.
More: 8 Renovation Costs You Won’t Have Factored In, But Should Have
For anything like an extension or a larger project, you’ll need architect’s drawings and you may well need Planning Permission, too.
This can be a daunting process if you’ve never done it before, but some building firms will actually take on this planning aspect of the project for you. They will have architects who they work with closely and regularly, and they will be experienced in the planning application process.
More: 8 Renovation Costs You Won’t Have Factored In, But Should Have
Choose your builder
Now you have some quotes, it’s time to choose a company to move forward with. Providing your specification has been kept as similar as possible from one builder to the next, this should be fairly easy. Remember to be cautious of the lowest price and thorough in your dealings.
Whether or not you get on with them is a factor to consider, too, as you’ll have to spend a considerable amount of time with them and need to be able to trust they’re adhering to the contract.
Once you’ve decided, it’s time to give them the good news. At this point, the drawings, specification and schedule of works are your all-important original documents, so keep track of them and keep referring back to them as the project progresses.
Now you have some quotes, it’s time to choose a company to move forward with. Providing your specification has been kept as similar as possible from one builder to the next, this should be fairly easy. Remember to be cautious of the lowest price and thorough in your dealings.
Whether or not you get on with them is a factor to consider, too, as you’ll have to spend a considerable amount of time with them and need to be able to trust they’re adhering to the contract.
Once you’ve decided, it’s time to give them the good news. At this point, the drawings, specification and schedule of works are your all-important original documents, so keep track of them and keep referring back to them as the project progresses.
Be sure to take photos
As the work begins and trial holes are dug, props go up and walls come down, have your camera at the ready. Not only will photos give you an official recording of everything, they will provide a reference of the structure if any future work needs to be undertaken.
If, for example, you decide you need an extra electrical point in the living room and want to know which way the joists run without pulling up carpet or making holes in the ceiling, or you can’t remember where some pipes are buried before you put a nail in the wall to hang a picture, you will be glad of a good photographic record.
Photos are also a great way to mark the transformation of your home and make for a great album.
As the work begins and trial holes are dug, props go up and walls come down, have your camera at the ready. Not only will photos give you an official recording of everything, they will provide a reference of the structure if any future work needs to be undertaken.
If, for example, you decide you need an extra electrical point in the living room and want to know which way the joists run without pulling up carpet or making holes in the ceiling, or you can’t remember where some pipes are buried before you put a nail in the wall to hang a picture, you will be glad of a good photographic record.
Photos are also a great way to mark the transformation of your home and make for a great album.
Enjoy the experience
Home improvement should be an exciting and creative experience, so make sure it is by choosing a real professional who will deliver a high level of customer service right through from planning to construction and installation.
Ensure your experience is the best it can be by following these tips for choosing the right builder, and making sure there’s clear communication and documentation throughout the project.
Tell us…
Have you worked with a builder recently? Share your experiences and photos in the Comments.
Home improvement should be an exciting and creative experience, so make sure it is by choosing a real professional who will deliver a high level of customer service right through from planning to construction and installation.
Ensure your experience is the best it can be by following these tips for choosing the right builder, and making sure there’s clear communication and documentation throughout the project.
Tell us…
Have you worked with a builder recently? Share your experiences and photos in the Comments.
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In order to find a reputable builder, there are several things to look for in your initial search. A company with offices you are welcome to visit is a good start – even better if those offices are well kept. Having vehicles with the company’s logo on is a further sign of credibility.
Basically, you want to make sure the company you go for demonstrates a high level of professionalism and is proud to have its name seen.