Finding the right builder near you is the first step towards a successful renovation, extension or new build home. But with so many local builders to choose from, how do you tell a reputable firm from one that could cause you problems halfway through the job?
Whether you live in Sheffield or elsewhere in South Yorkshire, these are the things worth checking before you invite anyone to quote.
The first question to ask is whether a builder is actually near you. Some builders present themselves as a local firm when they are in fact based further afield.
It's not uncommon for builders to have multiple websites targeting different areas and then subcontract the work to someone nearby. While you would eventually be getting a local builder, it might not be the one you expected.
To make sure a builder really is local, check for a local phone number and a genuine business address, and ask where their team is based.
When it comes to something as important as your home, you want the people working on it to be experienced. Ideally, you want that experience to be local too. Working in the same area for years, or even decades, is a real test of quality and service.
Having plenty of experience near you also gives builders a good understanding of local properties. Many neighbouring homes were built at a similar time and share the same structure, design and materials, which gives a builder a better starting point for work on your home.
Working locally, builders will also know the best local suppliers, which helps them source good materials at a fair price. A reputable builder should be happy to show you recent projects close to where you live and, ideally, put you in touch with past clients.
As with any contractor, you want a local builder to have accreditations and memberships that back up their experience. Here are some names to look out for:
Constructionline assesses its members to make sure they meet high standards across the board, from environmental and quality management to equal opportunities and anti-corruption.
The Contractors’ Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) is a leading scheme for checking contractors' compliance with health and safety requirements. CHAS accreditation shows that a builder takes health and safety, environmental requirements and equality seriously.
As well as running background checks on its members, Checkatrade gives customers a platform to leave feedback on members' work. It's a useful way to see whether a builder is confident in the standard of their work, and what other people think of it.
That leads on to reviews. Who better to tell you about a local builder's work than the people whose homes they've worked on?
Check a builder's reviews on sites like Google and Facebook, as well as any reviews on their own website. Look for comments from customers who had similar work done to the project you have in mind, and notice how the builder responds when something hasn't gone to plan.
Before any work starts, ask to see proof of public liability insurance. You should also expect a detailed written quote that sets out what is and isn't included, rather than a single figure.
For larger projects, agree a written contract with a clear payment schedule linked to stages of the work, and be wary of anyone asking for a large payment upfront. It's also worth asking who will handle building regulations approval and, where needed, planning permission, and who will be on site day to day.
Precision Builders is a Sheffield builder that has been building and renovating homes in Yorkshire and Derbyshire for over four decades. We hold CHAS and Constructionline Gold accreditations, and you can see our recent projects and what our clients say.
As well as Sheffield, we work across Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster and Chesterfield.
If you're planning a project, the easiest way to start is our new project questionnaire, which tells us what you have in mind so we can come back to you with the right next steps. If you'd rather talk it through first, get in touch, call 0114 243 6911 or email [email protected].
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