by tooposhtopush » Thu Jul 27, 2017 1:44 pm
Hi
All of the companies mentioned have been around a long time and have good reviews. I think the main issues with choosing a builder are that it's a naturally stressful process and that at some stage many people have fallen out with their contractors. This could be because the clients have changed the spec, they've been unclear in what they want or their builders have played a bit fast and loose.
The best advice I was given was to be really really really clear about what you want and get it in writing. Ask what happens when things go wrong and check if there are any sub-contractors involved. For example, if there is a problem, who do you sue or shout out? Some contractors do little more than pull together the various tradespeople so that when something does go wrong you don't have anyone to speak to.
Then I'd ask to see recent examples of their work. Go and see two or three and ask the homeowners what is was like. Also be really really clear about what the payment schedule and the completion schedule are like.
In my experience if both parties are reasonable (and the names you've mentioned seem to be the usual firms) and very clear about what they want then it'll be fine if quite stressy and messy.
Lastly, don't fall for the "new company so no bad feedback" trap - a lot of firms don't have bad reviews purely because they haven't been around long enough.
Hope that helps.
TPTP
Hi
All of the companies mentioned have been around a long time and have good reviews. I think the main issues with choosing a builder are that it's a naturally stressful process and that at some stage many people have fallen out with their contractors. This could be because the clients have changed the spec, they've been unclear in what they want or their builders have played a bit fast and loose.
The best advice I was given was to be really really really clear about what you want and get it in writing. Ask what happens when things go wrong and check if there are any sub-contractors involved. For example, if there is a problem, who do you sue or shout out? Some contractors do little more than pull together the various tradespeople so that when something does go wrong you don't have anyone to speak to.
Then I'd ask to see recent examples of their work. Go and see two or three and ask the homeowners what is was like. Also be really really clear about what the payment schedule and the completion schedule are like.
In my experience if both parties are reasonable (and the names you've mentioned seem to be the usual firms) and very clear about what they want then it'll be fine if quite stressy and messy.
Lastly, don't fall for the "new company so no bad feedback" trap - a lot of firms don't have bad reviews purely because they haven't been around long enough.
Hope that helps.
TPTP
