advice for finding a builder By The Federation of Master Builders
How do I find a builder? If you’re thinking of building your own home, the first two decisions are your budget and how you will finance it. But to make your dream a reality you need a good, reliable team. It’s advisable to approach an architect or designer at the earliest possible opportunity, so that you can start going through your ideas from the start and ensure that the designs comply with building regulations. You’ll need to find some- one who you can com- municate with freely and who you feel is sympa- thetic to your wishes and most importantly can work to your budget. It may be worth remembering that some builders offer a complete design service too. Your architect or designer should also be
able to advise you on finding a builder but it’s also worth asking family, friends or neighbours to recommend any builders they have used recently or check the FMB’s find a builder website. When asking for recommendations
make sure the builder has done self builds before so that you can be sure that they will be able to do all the work required. Once you have some recommendations ask
To make your dream a reality you need a good, reliable team
at least three builders to visit and quote on the work. Show them round the site, talk to them about your vision for the project and give them a clear and detailed brief for the project. If you have already had designs drawn up, give the builder a copy of those too. This will help the builder understand exactly what you want, as well as ensuring that the quote the builder gives you is in line with your specifications for
the job. It might also be handy to ask for their thoughts and advice on the project too. Make sure you ask each builder for references from previous customers too, then go to see the completed projects and ask the customer about their experience. When you get the quotes back from the builder make sure it covers everything you
would like done such as supply of materials, removal of rubbish and ‘making good’ after the work is finished. Don’t decide which builder to use on price alone. Consider how well you communicated together and the builder’s refer- ences too.
What about a contract? Once you have made your decision, let the builder know and decide who will be in charge of drawing up the contract. You can download a free contract from the FMB website. If you are using an FMB member and would like to take advantage of the MasterBond warranty, make sure that you tell your builder. As part of the contract you should also agree
a payment plan, with instalments to be paid as parts of the project are completed. Your builder may ask for a deposit to secure the date for your project to start, which is reasonable.
Any advice for a successful project? Your project is now ready to begin. Throughout the course of the project make sure that you and your builder have regular catch up meetings and that both parties keep communicating. Ensuring you keep communications open is important; let your builder know if you’re not comfortable with something; smoking, radios etc. but remember on issues like these the key to a happy project is compromise. Regular progress meet-ings during the build
should ensure that any misunderstandings can be cleared up straight away. However, another benefit of using an FMB member is that if any disagreements cannot be resolved there is somewhere to turn, as the FMB has an independent complaints handling procedure. It’s worth remembering that out of the estimated 250,000 jobs FMB members do each year less than half a percent result in any type of complaint.
Once your project has started, try not to
change your mind but if you must make sure you speak to your builder straight away, agree the changes and a new price and ensure that this is included with the contract using “Changing The Work Form”. When the project is complete make sure you
‘SCOTTS ON THE ROCKS’, NORTHERN IRELAND, WON THE FEDERATION OF MASTER BUILDERS (FMB) MASTER BUILDER OF THE YEAR 2011 AWARD FOR BUILDER DAVID CHARLETON. SEE PAGE 6 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
pay your builder on time, according to the contract you have both agreed to. Then all that remains is for you to sit back and enjoy your brand new home.
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selfbuilder & homemaker
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