Finding the perfect builder
Finding the perfect builder in Shropshire who can match your requirements and hopefully exceed your expectations requires some work on your part, but it will be rewarded.
First, ask friends for recommendations and look on the Federation of Master Builders’ website – www.findabuilder.co.uk – for good local builders.
Once you have a few names, check them out by talking to previous clients, visiting recently completed jobs and making sure you would be happy with the quality of the builders’ work.
When you know exactly what you want, give a shortlist of builders the information they need to draw up written quotations.
When the quotes are in make sure you are comparing like with like and remember that the cheapest quote won’t necessarily be the best.
As well as finding a good builder, you need a builder you can get on with throughout the project.
After selecting a builder, agree terms and write everything down.
Depending on the scale of your project, you should enter into a formal contract with the builder.
You can download a contract from the Federation of Master Builders’ website.
Include a timeline for stage payment that covers the completion of segments of the work in your agreement.
Making firm decisions about what you want and agreeing costs with your builder upfront means you will be able to manage the finances with no nasty surprises.
Although you should set aside a contingency fund of 10% of the contract price for unexpected costs.
And remember that if you do make changes or add things that were not in the original contract, they will add extra costs that could bust your budget.
Identifying a builder who can match your requirements and hopefully exceed your expectations requires some work on your part, but it will be rewarded.
Benefits of an FMB builder
The Federation of Master Builders is the building industry’s largest trade association, representing over 13,000 UK firms – including Shrewsbury based Sherratt Builders.
We are a building firm covering Shropshire, Herefordshire and parts of Wales.
In line with its logo, ‘The sign of building quality’, the FMB only accepts as members builders who can prove their skills and business acumen.
Complaints against members are taken very seriously. The FMB investigates all disputes fully and in the vast majority of cases, they are resolved through their intervention.
However, where that is not possible, the FMB will help arrange independent dispute resolution.
The dispute resolution procedure has teeth, as members can and are removed from the register and the FMB works closely with local Trading Standards officers to ensure that expelled firms are not continuing to represent themselves as members.
The joining criteria for the FMB are:
- At least 12 months trading.
- 6 references, including one from a ‘professional’ or Local Authority Building Control.
- Local FMB Branch approval.
- Public and employer liability insurance.
- No un-disclosed bankruptcies or relevant outstanding County Court Judgments.
- VAT registration where appropriate.
- Confirmation of business address/details.
- Credit checks, public record and director checks.
For further information visit: www.findabuilder.co.uk and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for an informal chat about your project.
