Choosing Your Builder: Cheapest Quote Wins?

You have your 3 quotes from each potential builder so choosing the one you are going to trust with your re-modelling, new garage, extension etc. should be easy, shouldn't it? Unfortunately most homeowners would consider this the end of their search for a builder when in fact what you should be doing next is the second most important if your home improvement project is to run smoothly (what's the most important? You will find the answer at the end of this article).

When asking a builder for a quote you should always ask him to include with his reply, the name, address and phone number of the job he is currently working on as well as the last two jobs completed. If you have your quotes but didn't ask for references, do it now.

Why do you need to check references when surely the cheapest quote should get the job? Perhaps your cheapest quote has a habit of adding the dreaded extras on to his final bill where as your second quote does not. Perhaps your dearest quote always finishes his jobs ahead of schedule and time is of the essence to you.

Try to visit at least one of the jobs from each of the three references just to confirm that the work was carried out and your builder hasn't just given you the phone numbers of his cousins!

Write down your questions before visiting or telephoning. This will ensure you ask the same questions of each builder and you will be able to spot any patterns emerging. Using a sheet of A4 write your questions in a column to the left and divide the rest of the page into 3 columns putting the names of the references at the top of each. Do this with 3 sheets, one for each builder.

Your questions should include but are not limited to:

How would you rate your experience with this builder?

How did you rate the builder's communication skills?

Why did you choose him, price, personally recommended or references?

Was the work finished on time? If not, why? Reasons outside of builder's control such as bad weather should be ignored.

Did the final bill match the original quote? If not, why?

Have you had to call him back to correct any faults? If so, was the work done promptly?

Did the builder provide adequate on-site supervision?

Did the builder maintain a safe, neat and tidy site?

Would you use this builder again?

Once you have your 3 sheets of answers, any major problems are staring you in the face. Example, builder 1 never finishes on time and builder 2 always has a large list of extras to add on to his final invoice, where as builder 3 finishes early and within his quote. Builder 3 is the obvious choice even if he is charging a few hundred extra.

It's not always going to be that obvious and sometimes the answers importance will be dependant on your personal circumstances. Example, builders 1 and 3 tend to leave the site in a bit of a mess while builder 2 always puts everything away and makes sure the site is reasonably safe. Not a problem if you live alone but if you have kids, will they be able to play in the back yard at weekends with tools laid around, ditches left exposed etc?

Checking the references of your potential builder's should always be a major factor when choosing the builder for your home improvement work, second only to making sure they sign a building contract before work commences.

If everyone got into the habit of checking references then your average builder would be much more obliging in settling any disputes that arise with clients because he would know that his next customer is likely to be talking to this one in the coming weeks.

Article by Adrian Kinley. Adrian is the author of the now famous e-book, Builder Secrets Exposed which can be found at http://www.building-contract.co.uk He is also editor and chief writer for http://www.uk-builder.com which gives home improvement tips and other advice on employing a builder.

---

New-age Paint Thickening & Rheological Additives : Solvitex & Solvizen

For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new development in the legion of Thickening Agents & Colloidal stabilizer for Aqueous Latex Paints. So far most... Read More

Save Time & Money Doing Your Own Basic Electric Wiring

Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is often the reason why people try doing their own basic electric wiring themselves.I have seen the good,... Read More

Home Floor Plan Designing For Your Future Home

Designing Your Own Dream Home for the New Home Builder: What is your dream home? Do you have an idea of what it will look like? Defining... Read More

Types Of Bedsteads

Selection of bedstead is also an important thing as selection of bed mattress. The frame, which provides support to bed, is called bedstead. In a stylish bed... Read More

Kitchen Cabinets are The Soul of Your Kitchen

Kitchen cabinets reflect the heart and soul of the homeowner. The cabinets you have in your kitchen have the greatest impact on a kitchen's look. They come... Read More

Seven Essential Color Concepts for Designing Spaces

Understanding a few essential color concepts will help you design your living and work spaces more purposefully. Embrace the colors that work best for your specific activity... Read More

If You Want to Bring Your Bathroom Up to Date, Consider Fitting a Shower Stall

Modern shower stalls look sleek and stylish. If you have the space, adding a shower stall in addition to your bathtub can be a great way to... Read More

What to Know Before Signing a Home Improvement Contract

It is important to be a very careful consumer when it comes to home improvement contractors. For instance, I had a case where my client, an elderly... Read More

Let?s ?Clear the Air? Shall We?

What can you do to "clear the air" indoors, at work and at home? You want to know you are breathing clean air in the places you... Read More

I Need What Part?

One of the first things you learn as a homeowner is that you may own your home, but you don't actually live in it full time. You... Read More

Tips For Breaking Away From White Wall Paint

Paint is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to change a room. But choosing the right paint colors for your home can seem like an... Read More

Using Colors in Your Room

Colors play an important part in your Home Decor process. Colors are what give life and personality to your room.Here are some quickies to keep in mind... Read More

Add Value To Your Home With A Home Improvement Loan

Buying a home is a big and important investment for most people, and understandably property owners want to keep their home in good condition and looking great.... Read More

Maintaining Your Hot Tub

Purchasing a hot tub is a big investment and one that should not be taken lightly. Hot tubs cost thousands of dollars and if not maintained properly... Read More

Buyers Guide For Modern Mailboxes

Modern mailboxes are made predominately from cast aluminum or stainless steel, and will give you many years of reliable service. A stylish, fashionable, modern mailbox will send... Read More

The Techno-Witch and Magickal Appliances

My favourite episode of Bugs Bunny is the one where Bugs turns into a witch and says: "We ride vacuum cleaners now".It is true that the vacuum... Read More

Kitchen Magic

It's amazing -- some people manage to get a complete aerobic workout just while preparing dinner! Back and forth, back and forth -- I get tired just... Read More

Add Value to Your House - Interior Remodelling

Interior remodeling can have an amazing impact on the look and value of a house. I would definitely recommend getting professionals to do the job for you... Read More

From Toss Out to Sensational Keeper - Lamp Re-Make

When the old lamp from my children's room was turning decidedly "trash-worthy", a grand idea formed and kept me from tossing it out. Originally, it had been... Read More

Easy Renovations for Your Home

Renovating should be a fun and exciting process (really!). The key is to plan the project out in advance, hire the right people, allot the appropriate amount... Read More

Make Your Hardwood Floors Shine

You have just installed hardwood flooring in your home. Now what? How do you keep your hardwood floors clean and shiny? Read the following Q&A in which... Read More

Picnic Tables for Casual Dining Fun

Picnic tables are the perfect solution for an afternoon or evening get together. They offer everything from different shapes of a picnic table, to ones that fold... Read More

Replacement Windows and Double Glazing - Essential Buyers Tips

Welcome to my essential tips for replacemnent windows and double glazing buyers. Apart from the first tip (which I consider most important) the tips are not in... Read More

An Affordable Shortcut To Designing Your Dream Home

You have likely been making mental notes for years. Every book or magazine that you read and each home that you visit has become a source for... Read More

Cleaning House and the 80-20 Rule

Cleaning house is one of those things that needs doing again... and again... and again! How can you make it less of a burden?When I taught time... Read More

Bathroom Magic

Believe it or not, the bathroom is one of the most magickal rooms in your house; Your make up box and medicine chest can be treasure chest... Read More