TOP TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT BUILDER
|
Latest Breaking News - Home Improvement - Viewing: Top Tips For Finding The Right Builder Monday, February 08, 2010 Top Tips for Finding The Right Builder Here are some tips which should help. It is important that you set aside enough time sp that you can thoroughly comprehend each part of every job and regularly visit the builders on site. This makes it much more difficult for an unscrupulous builder to get the better of you. The best way to look for a builder is through personal recommendations. Although there are numerous websites on the Internet that rate builders, it's far too easy to fake a reference. Most references depend emailed recommendations which could have just as easily been from the builder's brother. It is equally important to trust your own instinct. When the builder comes by to provide you with an estimate is his first opportunity for an interview; He is going to try to make a favorable first impression. However, if he doesn't return phone calls or shows up late for an appointment it should set off alarm bells in your head. The working relationship will probably not get any better from there. You should also expect a written estimate complete with a detailed breakdown of all costs. You should not trust a figure that a builder gives off the top of his head, because they are probably basing the estimate on they think you will pay. Specific details of how they have calculated a figure should always be provided by the builder. Many builders' estimates are very vague which often results in you getting an unwelcome surprise if you assume a cost was included which they dispute. The builder should offer you the opportunity to show you previous examples of his work. Never depend on telephone references which could be phony but try to visit at least two of the builders previous work sites. If the builder can only offer one, it is probably because that's the only one that the customer has been pleased with his work. If your project is big, you can test the builder on a smaller job without telling him of the big job. Most builders will show their true colors rather quickly, so the odds are that if they are professional, tidy, and clean on the smaller job, it is likely that they will be good at the big one as well. Although it should be common sense not to pay a large amount of money upfront it is, however, normal for a builder to request a deposit of approximately 10%. It is equally acceptable for a builder to request for payment in stages as each part of the work is completed. In case you must pay for materials upfront, make sure they are delivered directly to you and not to the builder. This avoids the case of the disappearing materials and often the builder as well. Builders are usually very slow to come back and fix work after a job has been completed since they have been paid already so it is a good idea to make an agreement in advance that any problems will be dealt with within a fixed time period like 72 hours. Be sure the builder has their own insurance, just in case they cause any damage. It's important to check as you go along to ensure that you're happy with work even with a guarantee. It will be much more difficult to fix something you don't like once the work has been completed. As the work progresses visit the site and if something doesn't look right don't be afraid to tell the builder about it and the sooner the better. Building work is seldom 100% the first time, so be willing to give the builder the opportunity to make everything right prior to complaining about it. In spite of your best efforts sometimes things just go wrong and trying to seek redress through the court system can be a long, painful and expensive process. It is in your best interest to do everything you can to try to reach an agreement. Should the relationship between you and the builder break down, your best alternative is to simply pay for the work that has been done, ask the builder to leave and chalk it up to experience. Although communication can be more difficult with foreign builders whose first language isn't English, don't be afraid to work with them. You can often save a lot of money as they more than likely need the work, are used to hard conditions, and are willing to work long hours. However, all the same rules still apply about checking them out beforehand. Using these tips as a guide won't make it impossible for someone to take advantage of you but it will make it much more difficult. If you're spending a lot of money, it pays to make yourself an educated person rather than a naive one.
For Builders Bathgate please visit our website. Note: You are free to reprint this article as long as the text links remain intact. Article Views: 89 |
Privacy Policy |
Company Info |
Contact Us |
Team of Writers
Article Submission Service |
Press Release Distribution |
Blog Posting Service |
