Choosing a builder is the biggest decision in most home projects, and the cheapest quote is rarely the best guide. These are the checks we would make ourselves if we were the customer.
The ten checks
- Insurance. Ask to see the certificate for public liability insurance and check the cover level and dates. It protects you if something is damaged during the job.
- Trade body membership. Members of a body such as the Federation of Master Builders are checked before joining and agree to a code of conduct. We are FMB members and SafeContractor approved, and you can see our details on our about page.
- Company details. Check the company on Companies House to confirm it exists, who runs it and whether it files accounts.
- References and finished work. Ask to speak to a recent client or visit a completed job. Photos are useful, but a conversation tells you how the builder behaves when things do not go to plan. You can see some of ours on our projects page.
- A written quote against a clear scope. It should list what is included, what is excluded and which items are provisional sums, so you can compare quotes like for like.
- A written contract. It should cover the price, the scope, start and completion dates, how changes are agreed and priced, and what happens if the programme slips.
- Payment stages. Payments should follow completed work, not the calendar. Be wary of anyone asking for a large sum before they start.
- Building control and planning. The builder should explain which approvals your job needs and who is responsible for them. See our guide to building regulations approval.
- Programme and communication. Ask who will be on site, who you will speak to and how often you will get updates.
- Your gut feeling. A builder who answers questions clearly, turns up when they say and is comfortable putting things in writing is usually the same on site.
What your rights look like
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. If you sign a contract at your own home, you may also have a 14 day cancellation period, and the trader should tell you about it in writing. The government's consumer rights guidance explains how this works.
Red flags
Walk away from anyone who will only accept cash, will not give a written quote, pressures you to decide on the day, or cannot give you a business address or contact details. If a price is far below the others, find out what has been left out.
Sources and further reading
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About the author
Written by JLS Building & Property Development Ltd, a family-run building contractor covering Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. FMB member and SafeContractor approved. More about us. This guide is general information, not professional or legal advice for your specific project.