Questions to ask a builder before renovating or extending

When it comes to renovating or extending your home there are quite a few questions you should ask before hiring your builder? 

Why?

Well, renovating or extending your home is a significant investment. By asking these important questions before hiring a builder you’ll be able to make better informed decisions, spend your hard-earned money wisely and end up with your dream home. 

Questions to ask

Here are 15 questions you should ask before choosing your renovation/extension builder:

1. Experience Matters: How long have you been in the business?
2. Licence and Insurance: Can you show me your license and insurance?
3. Financial Stability: Have you ever been bankrupt? (You can verify this on https://cvcheck.com/ under Credit, Financial, and Business).
4. Portfolio: Where can I see examples of your work? Can I get a comprehensive list of previous jobs, including recent ones?
5. Handling Dissatisfaction: How do you handle dissatisfaction with the work during the process? Can you share examples of similar situations you’ve resolved in the past?
6. Understanding approvals: What approvals will be required for my project, and who’s responsible for obtaining them? It’s important the builder has knowledge and expertise in this area.
7. Transparent pricing: Will the quoted price be the final price? What exactly does it cover, and what’s not included? Are there any contingencies for unforeseen circumstances?
8. Prime Cost Items and Provisional Sums: Does the quotation include prime cost items and provisional sums? Make sure the allowances are enough and check for a detailed list.
9. Project Management: Who’ll be the project manager? Who should I contact for day-to-day clarifications?
10. Project Timeline: How long do you anticipate the project will take, including getting an occupancy certificate?
11. Adapting to Changes: What’s the process for making changes to the original design once construction has begun?
12. Construction Sign off: When do I need to sign off on the construction?
13. Stage Payments: What are the stage payments required, and when should they be made during the building process?
14. Contractual Details: Do you use a standard form of contract? If modified, what are the specific modifications and why were they made?
15. Warranty Assurance: What warranty do you provide?

If a builder refuses to answer any of these, it’s a clear sign to remove them from your shortlist. 

Other things to consider

While getting satisfactory answers to these questions is important, there are other factors to consider before making a final decision. 

Obviously price is important, but it’s equally important (if not more so) to find a builder who understands your vision and can deliver to the highest standards.

So, ask those 15 questions and also consider these additional points:

• Check if the builder is currently working on other projects in the same area.
• Visit reference sites provided by the builder to assess the standard of their work.
• Keep an eye on online reviews, but take them with a grain of salt. Discuss any negative reviews directly with the builder for their perspective.

Finally, take your time. Look at all aspects of your renovation or extension, and make an informed decision. 

Remember, finding the right builder who can meet your requirements and deliver exceptional results will get you the home of your dreams.