Don’t Move, Improve: How To Find A Reliable Builder

April is Home Improvement Month, with many choosing to make changes before the Summer months set in.

To assist with this and offer some expert advice the renovation people at RW4Y have pulled together everything you need to know about finding a reliable builder to take on your project.

The best way to find a good builder is by asking for recommendations from your friends and family. You’ll want to know that they’re able to do the task well, so make sure you ask about the quality of their work, as well as how long it took them to complete the job. The builder should also have sound knowledge of current building regulations.

Your next option is to search for builders in your area using sites like Yell, Rated People, or Trust A Trader and read their reviews. While it’s natural for even the best builders to have a couple of bad reviews here and there, be wary of those who have a high number of one- or two-star reviews.

Unfortunately, there are a few scammers out there who may try to take advantage. Try to avoid builders who knock on your door and ask for work, as they usually have no recommendations or references. If the builder won’t reveal any information about previous jobs or won’t let you see any examples, then this is a tell-tale sign that they are a cowboy builder and their previous work was poor or incomplete.

A way to work out if your builder is reliable is by checking to see if they’re part of a recognised trading association, such as the Federation of Master Builders or the National Federation of Builders. Joining a trading body isn’t compulsory, but to be a member of these associations, builders must show that they can complete work to a certain standard.

You should also look for a builder who is part of TrustMark — a government-endorsed scheme that ensures its builders are vetted and independently inspected to make sure they meet the government’s standard of work. You can find builders who are registered with TrustMark on their site by searching your postcode and the work to be carried out.

Once you’ve shortlisted some building contractors you’re interested in working with, it’s a good idea to get quotes from them to see how much the work you want to do will cost you. Make sure you give them as much detail as possible and ask any relevant questions at this stage. You should give everyone the same brief so you can make an accurate comparison.

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