What to Ask Before Hiring a Builder

Choosing a builder is an important decision. You are trusting someone with your home or business, and often with a large sum of money. Asking the right questions at the start helps you compare quotes properly and makes it far more likely the project goes smoothly.

About the work

• What exactly is included? Ask for a written description of the scope, including preparation, making good, plastering, decoration and clearing up.
• What is not included? Items such as kitchen units, flooring, decoration or skip hire are sometimes left out.
• How will unknowns be handled? Foundations, drains, hidden damp and rotten timber can only be fully assessed once work starts. Ask how changes will be agreed and priced.
• Who will do the work? Will specialist trades such as electricians, plumbers and gas engineers be involved, and are they suitably qualified and registered where required?

About timings

• When could the work start, and roughly how long will it take?
• What could cause delays, such as weather, materials or approvals?
• What working hours will be kept, and how will access and parking be handled?

About permissions

• Does the project need planning permission, building regulations approval or listed building consent?
• Who will apply, and who arranges building control inspections?
• Does the Party Wall Act apply, and who will deal with notices to neighbours?

About money

• Is the price a fixed quote or an estimate? What does it include, and is VAT included?
• What is the payment schedule? Stage payments linked to completed work are common for larger projects.
• How will variations be priced and agreed?

About protection

• Do they have public liability insurance? Ask to see it.
• Will there be a written agreement or contract?
• What happens if something is not right after the work is finished?

About communication

• Who will be your main point of contact?
• How will you be kept informed of progress and decisions?
• Can you see examples of similar work or speak to previous customers?

Red flags to watch for

• Pressure to decide immediately or pay a large sum up front
• No written quote or a vague one-line price
• Reluctance to discuss permissions, insurance or how problems are handled
• Offers of a big discount for cash with no paperwork

Good builders welcome these questions. At Builders Newcastle we talk through the scope, the information needed and the next steps before anything is agreed. Get in touch to discuss your project, or read how we work.