Considerations when finding the right builder for your first successful renovation project
Ask anyone who has gone through a renovation project, what is the most important part to get absolutely right and most would agree it is finding the right builder to partner up with. Choosing the right builder can really make or break a project if careful consideration is not taken upfront.
The term ‘cowboy’ builder has become quite popular in the renovation realm. Novice renovators may not be familiar but a ‘cowboy’ builder is quite easy to spot - Glaring red flags like an inability to present a portfolio of work or recommendations on request, previous low quality work, unreliable habits or a reckless disregard for keeping up to date with the latest building and safety, regulations and controls.
Which is why the vetting process for a quality builder is important. Here’s a few top things to consider when finding a builder to partner with and make your renovation project a success.
Get a recommended builder
Having a builder recommended from a reputable source that you already trust provides a level of confidence in their capabilities and service before even seeing their work.
Leverage an existing network if possible. Perhaps you had hired a trades professional for a different odd job and you liked their work. Even if they do not provide the service that you are looking for, perhaps they can recommend a builder who does. A reputable source is not just those within your immediate circle but reaching out to social media renovators whose results you’ve seen could be another avenue.
Shortlist and compare builders
Whilst a recommended builder is a great place to start. Moving forward on the basis of a recommendation alone may not be wise. It could be best to take it one step further and benchmark any recommended candidate to others in the market to validate and compare their work or quotes with other builders.
A great place to increase your candidate pool when searching for the right builder is on mybuilder.com. Mybuilder.com is a number 1 marketplace for trades professionals. Seamlessly post a job ad and immediately get matched to a compatible tradesman. There are online reviews and portfolios of previous work to reference.
Put everything in writing
Once a builder has been selected it is important to note that a lot of builders work cash in hand for renovation projects. This could be beneficial for both parties as builders who accept cash potentially do so at a reduce rate. It is fairly normal to pay builders thousands of pounds in cash without receipts for work.
Whilst this is a perfectly legal practice it does come with associated risks. To mitigate any potential problems further down the line, write everything down and avoid paying in full and upfront. Reputable builders will typically begin work before payment.
Remember, the chemistry that you have with a builder is critical to the success of a renovation project. Ultimately, the builders will have relatively unlimited access to your home. Even if they pass the initial considerations, being comfortable having them in your home is the main consideration.
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