It doesn’t matter what building projects you want done to your home, deciding on which contractor is best for you is one of the most important initial decisions to make before any renovation. To get the best out of your renovation, whether it’s having new windows installed or even a loft conversion, having a good relationship with your contractor is crucial. A good relationship means even better communication and ensures you’re getting what you want from the builders you are, after all paying.

• Building/installation duration, how long will it take?Having work done to your home can at times be a daunting and inconvenient project. Naturally, we all want to know how long the project will take. If you’re paying your contractor to finish the job within a certain time period, it should be completed when agreed, unless any unforeseen problems should occur.
• References, would you like one?Sometimes your builder will ask you to act as a reference for their work. Of course, if you are happy with their work, your reference will often be used in their portfolio or on their online website like those we have. References are great way to build an even better relationship with your builder, especially if you are pleased with the finish result of your project and plan to employ the same people again for future projects to your home.
• Unforeseen problems, how will you work around them?Before choosing your builder it’s always great for peace of mind to know whether or not your builder shall be willing to compensate you if any work is left uncompleted or if there is issue with the project after the closing.
• Are you going to subcontract the job and if so, to whom?Before agreeing to employ your builder it is crucial to find out whether or not they plan on hiring any more men for the job. Make sure you find out if your builder has a team on his payroll or if he will be subcontracting some of the work. After all, it is important to know if and how many times he has worked with his team before undertaking your project. You don’t want any unreliable contractors or unfinished projects!
• I’ve changed my mind, can and will you work around my change to the project?Whether you’ve changed your mind or you’re forced to as a result of unforeseen problems, every builder will have their own cost and process of dealing with change.
• Have you worked on similar projects before?Ensure that your builder has good references from previous projects that have had the same requirements as yours.
• Is this the only project you are currently working on?It’s always a good thing to know how many different projects your builder is currently working on when working on yours too. If you’re in a particular hurry for the project to be finished or are meeting a deadline, it may be best to choose a contractor who is less busy as this may explain why your project is taking longer than you expected.
• How much will you charge?When you’re happy with all the details of how and when your builder works, ask him for a quote. Remember to shop around before making that all important decision to ensure you get the best deal. HOWEVER, it is crucial to be aware of the fact that the cheaper the job, the more likely it is that there will be cheaper materials used. A cheap quote isn’t necessarily the best start to a project if you want to guarantee a high standard finish.