How to find the best builder

There are many builders all over the UK. Finding a builder is one thing, but finding a good, vetted builder for you and your specific project is quite another. You should look for building companies who have the necessary experience for the job you need to complete and who you feel comfortable working with and letting into your home. If you need a builder or home builder, below are some tips to follow to find the best builder for your project.

Ask friends and family for recommendations

Although it may seem cliché, asking friends, family and neighbours for recommendations is a good place to start. They will often always give you an honest opinion about any builders they have used and will have first-hand experience of their standard of work and whether they found them reliable and trustworthy. Many professionals depend on word-of-mouth referrals, so if you can discover a builder from a reliable source, it should give you an indication of whether you are finding someone you can trust.

Obtain the opinions of other tradespeople

Most tradespeople get used to working with other builders in their local area and often have preferences for who they like working with.

Suppose you’ve previously employed a local plumber or electrician and were satisfied with their work. Why not get in touch with them and ask if they have any recommendations for reputable builders?

Ask your architect

Local architects may have worked on similar projects in your area. Asking your architect or designer could assist you in finding a reputable builder. They are one of your few early contacts who will know the area’s construction industry and should be able to provide you with a list of names of builders they have worked with who have the necessary experience for a project of your scale.

Contact a trade association

Trade associations like The Association of Master Tradesmen will have a list of builders who have already passed numerous vetting checks before becoming a member. They will also be able to provide you with references of previous customers they have carried out work for and be able to confirm they have in-date Public Liability Insurance.

How to find the best home builder?

If you are building a home from scratch, there are other challenges to face. If you need a home builder, here are some tips for finding one with the experience required in addition to the tips above.

Examine their after-sales support

After moving in, most new houses will have a few niggling problems. The builder will deal with these so excellent after-sales support is crucial. Ask to speak to other home owners and question them about whether or not they are happy with how the builder has handled any issues to see what questions they wish they had asked.

Search outside of the marketing brochure

All home builders have professionally made marketing materials geared at selling their houses. These will provide some helpful information, but it is very hard to fully understand the final product’s quality. Ask to visit other homes that they are building and make sure you add any specifics you would like into the written contract.

If you need a builder in your local area then post your job on our website or call 0208 817 5246.