Choosing the right builder.

Choosing the right builder for your project is essential to its success.

Hence, looking for a builder with the right skill set is an important process. But it shouldn’t be a complicated one.

While it’s absolutely necessary to spend time researching good builders in your area (or the area you’re investing in) there are certain things you can do to find a good builder.

Larger building or construction companies will be able to undertake any type of building or refurbishment work. Whereas some ‘smaller’ builders will usually have a particular thing they specialise in.

If you’re looking for a HMO conversion, for example, it’s probably not wise to consult a builder who doesn’t specialise in HMO refurbishment.

In other words, asking a builder to do something they’re unfamiliar with, will likely leave you disappointed.

And that’s exactly what happened in the video.

What should have been a relatively straightforward chimney removal (as part of a HMO conversion) turned into a nightmare for the owner.

Thankfully, we were able to put things right.

Our ‘Choosing a Builder Checklist’ below will help you make the right decision when you’re looking for a builder.

First, let’s take a look at what John discovered when surveying the property in the video.

1:30 – Attempting to secure bricks with expanding foam is madness. But it highlights how some inexperienced builders operate.

5:42 – These bricks should have been properly joined to the original brickwork. Instead they’ve been left completely insecure.

12:03 – The standard of the work is so poor that there are gaps in the brickwork. This is actual daylight shining through from the inside!

13:50 – When removing a chimney, extra precaution needs to be taken to extract the bricks properly. Not doing so can leave cracks in the wall like this.

15:02 – This brick can be completely removed from the wall to reveal the plasterboard on the inside of the house! It’s unbelievable what some builders determine acceptable.

16:17 – As suspected, the remainder of the chimney breast is not supported with a steel. Therefore, the safety of the future tenants is severely jeopardised.

Our handy checklist gives you a good idea of what things to look for when choosing a builder. You can use it when you’re doing your research and due diligence.

Let’s look at the key pointers on how to find a builder you can trust…

Our top tip on how to find a builder you can trust is to look at their level of experience. Longevity usually suggests that they’re good at what they do. Have a look on Companies House. You can easily find out how many years a builder has been trading.

If a builder comes highly recommended, their reputation usually precedes them. Good builders have good reviews – whether word of mouth or online for the world to see. Checkatrade, Trustpilot, Yell or Google should give a good indication of how highly rated your builder is.

Does your builder have a website that showcases previous work? If so, are there any examples of projects similar to yours? If your builder has worked for a friend or family member, ask to see the work. Is it finished to a high standard?

Steer clear of a builder who does not use a contract. Without one you’re leaving yourself completely vulnerable should anything go wrong. The most common types of contract in the construction/building industry are JCT and Schedule of Works. Either will establish the responsibilities of the builder in delivering your project.

Make sure you choose a builder who is fully insured. We’re not just referring to a standard Public Liability policy here. We mean Contractor’s All Risk (CAR) insurance. CAR insurance will cover any damage caused to the building works. For example if there is an unexpected flood, storm or fire.

VAT registration is mandatory once a business's turnover passes HMRC's registration threshold. Consequently, if a builder is VAT registered, they will likely be handling large scale jobs: and, therefore, be more capable. Especially when you consider that just a couple of HMO conversions would probably exceed the threshold.

Would you trust a builder who can start work on your project immediately? Probably not. Hence, another good indication of the calibre of a builder is how busy they are. Good, reputable builders will have jobs booked well in advance. Expect lead times to be 6 weeks or more.

It’s important to work with someone you get along with. Because things can change and issues can arise during a project. It’s much easier to overcome obstacles if you get along with your builder. When you speak to them, how do they come across? Are they approachable? Do they have time for you? Do they fill you with confidence?

This leads on from the previous point. Good communication is key in any good relationship. At various stages of your project you will need progress reports. This is especially important if you’re an investor who won’t be visiting the site. How does your builder keep you up-to-speed? How professional is their system?

There are two ways to think about this. You might prefer a local builder because you’re more familiar with them and their work. Plus they can be on site quicker when you need them to be. On the other hand, you may want to employ a builder from further afield because of their outstanding reputation and expertise.

A good builder will have a payment schedule. This usually involves paying an initial deposit followed by instalments at various stages. For example, when the project is 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% complete. Avoid a builder who wants all of the money up front.

These are the main things to think about when you’re looking for builders.

Everything above applies wherever you are. This part is local.

HYPE works across Stoke-on-Trent and the six towns, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford, Stone, Kidsgrove and Biddulph, and over the Cheshire border into Crewe and Macclesfield. Refurbishments, extensions, HMO conversions, commercial fit-outs and insurance reinstatement.

What that means for the checklist above: you can do most of it on us before you ring. The projects are published with photographs, the reviews are public, the process is written down, and hundreds of films are on HypeTV. Very little of that is normal, and it is deliberate, because the checklist above is exactly what we would want a client to run us through.

If you are looking for a builder in one of those areas, the fastest version of all of this is a conversation about the actual job.

Hopefully, the checklist above has given you a good idea of how to find a builder.

As a homeowner or property investor, you need to feel confident that the people working on your property can do what you’re asking of them.

Therefore, it’s crucial to not only choose a builder with an excellent reputation but also one you trust unconditionally.

Spend time researching. It’s a crucial part of the process.

When you’re getting quotes, make sure you have a breakdown of the work that needs to be done and how much each element costs.

But don’t let cost be the overriding factor. Yes, of course, you have a budget. But more often than not, you get what you pay for.

As Red Adair once famously said: