Choosing Your Builder: Cheapest Quote Wins?

Home
>
Home Improvement
>
Choosing Your Builder: Cheapest Quote Wins?

Choosing Your Builder: Cheapest Quote Wins?

You have your 3 quotes from each potential builder so choosing the one you are going to trust with your re-modelling, new garage, extension etc. should be easy, shouldn't it? Unfortunately most homeowners would consider this the end of their search for a builder when in fact what you should be doing next is the second most important if your home improvement project is to run smoothly (what's the most important? You will find the answer at the end of this article).

When asking a builder for a quote you should always ask him to include with his reply, the name, address and phone number of the job he is currently working on as well as the last two jobs completed. If you have your quotes but didn't ask for references, do it now.

Why do you need to check references when surely the cheapest quote should get the job? Perhaps your cheapest quote has a habit of adding the dreaded extras on to his final bill where as your second quote does not. Perhaps your dearest quote always finishes his jobs ahead of schedule and time is of the essence to you.

Try to visit at least one of the jobs from each of the three references just to confirm that the work was carried out and your builder hasn't just given you the phone numbers of his cousins!

Write down your questions before visiting or telephoning. This will ensure you ask the same questions of each builder and you will be able to spot any patterns emerging. Using a sheet of A4 write your questions in a column to the left and divide the rest of the page into 3 columns putting the names of the references at the top of each. Do this with 3 sheets, one for each builder.

Your questions should include but are not limited to:

How would you rate your experience with this builder?

How did you rate the builder's communication skills?

Why did you choose him, price, personally recommended or references?

Was the work finished on time? If not, why? Reasons outside of builder's control such as bad weather should be ignored.

Did the final bill match the original quote? If not, why?

Have you had to call him back to correct any faults? If so, was the work done promptly?

Did the builder provide adequate on-site supervision?

Did the builder maintain a safe, neat and tidy site?

Would you use this builder again?

Once you have your 3 sheets of answers, any major problems are staring you in the face. Example, builder 1 never finishes on time and builder 2 always has a large list of extras to add on to his final invoice, where as builder 3 finishes early and within his quote. Builder 3 is the obvious choice even if he is charging a few hundred extra.

It's not always going to be that obvious and sometimes the answers importance will be dependant on your personal circumstances. Example, builders 1 and 3 tend to leave the site in a bit of a mess while builder 2 always puts everything away and makes sure the site is reasonably safe. Not a problem if you live alone but if you have kids, will they be able to play in the back yard at weekends with tools laid around, ditches left exposed etc?

Checking the references of your potential builder's should always be a major factor when choosing the builder for your home improvement work, second only to making sure they sign a building contract before work commences.

If everyone got into the habit of checking references then your average builder would be much more obliging in settling any disputes that arise with clients because he would know that his next customer is likely to be talking to this one in the coming weeks.

Article by Adrian Kinley. Adrian is the author of the now famous e-book, Builder Secrets Exposed which can be found at http://www.building-contract.co.uk He is also editor and chief writer for http://www.uk-builder.com which gives home improvement tips and other advice on employing a builder.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Gaza fighting rages despite cease-fire proposal (AP)

AP - Israel resumed its Gaza offensive Wednesday, bombing heavily around suspected smuggling tunnels near the border with Egypt after a three-hour lull to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas responded with a rocket barrage. Despite the heavy fighting, strides were made on the diplomatic front with the U.S. throwing its weight behind a deal being brokered by France and Egypt.

Obama taps spending watchdog, eyes Social Security (AP)

AP - Pointing with concern to "red ink as far as the eye can see," President-elect Barack Obama pledged Wednesday to tackle out-of-control Social Security and Medicare spending and named a special watchdog to clamp down on other federal programs even as he campaigned anew to spend the largest pile of taxpayer money in history to revive the sinking economy.

Senate Democrats yield to Obama, retreat on Burris (AP)

AP - Senate Democrats beat a hasty retreat Wednesday from their rejection of Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor, yielding to pressure from Obama himself and from senators irked that the standoff was draining attention and putting them in a bad light. Burris said with a smile he expected to join them "very shortly."

Feds say inauguration attractive terrorist target (AP)

AP - The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is an attractive target for international and domestic terrorists, but U.S. intelligence officials have no information about specific threats to the Jan. 20 event.

Obama hails 'extraordinary' moment with presidents (AP)

AP - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club.

Cheney says Obama should keep terror polices (AP)

AP - Vice President Dick Cheney said Wednesday it would be a mistake for President-elect Barack Obama to scrap the Bush administration's terrorist-fighting policies designed to prevent future attacks on the U.S.

Federal judge arrests Ala. sheriff over jail food (AP)

AP - A federal judge has ordered the arrest of an Alabama sheriff who was held in contempt of court for failing to adequately feed jail inmates while profiting from the skimpy meals.

How big Jurassic flying reptiles got off ground (AP)

AP - The Jurassic version of jumbo jets huge flying creatures weighing hundreds of pounds is a mystery of dinosaur-era flight: How did something so big get off the ground? A Johns Hopkins University biologist thinks he has figured out the answer.

Pa. man opens neighbor's door with chain saw (AP)

AP - An eastern Pennsylvania man may face up to 37 years in prison for tearing open a neighbor's door with a chain saw. Police say 34-year-old Robert Kane began sawing through the front door of Jamie Zaleski's apartment in Scranton while Zaleski and several friends ran out the back.

AP source: Browns to hire Eric Mangini as coach (AP)

AP - Eric Mangini is the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, a week after being fired by the New York Jets. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Mangini will be introduced Thursday at a news conference at the team's headquarters in Berea. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Mangini's contract has not been finalized.

Israel pounds Gaza again (Reuters)

Reuters - Israeli aircraft and tanks pounded the Gaza Strip on Wednesday and troops battled Palestinian guerrillas on the ground as U.S. backing for a proposed truce raised expectations of an end to the 12-day-old offensive.

Budget deficit to hit $1.2 trillion in fiscal 2009 (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. budget deficit will swell to a record $1.186 trillion in fiscal 2009, congressional forecasters said on Wednesday, the result of an economic recession that has cut tax receipts and caused massive government bailouts of banks and automakers.

Senate Democrats move to seat Burris (Reuters)

Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday to swear in Roland Burris, appointed by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.

Union gears up for negotiations with GM and Chrysler (Reuters)

Reuters - United Auto Workers bargaining teams are arriving this week in Detroit as the union gears up for negotiations with General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC, which are mandated to cut labor costs under a $17.4 billion federal bailout.

Salmonella outbreak sickens 388 across U.S.: health officials (Reuters)

Reuters - An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning has made 388 people sick across 42 states, sending 18 percent of them to the hospital, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday.

"Enemy combatant" will be early test for Obama (Reuters)

Reuters - The case of Ali al-Marri, accused of being an al Qaeda "sleeper" agent and held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, will be an early test for President-elect Barack Obama.

Gates says Afghan surge may cost $5.5 billion in fiscal 09 (Reuters)

Reuters - Defense Secretary Robert Gates has told Congress that a planned buildup of U.S. forces in Afghanistan could add $5.5 billion to U.S. war costs in the current federal fiscal year, officials said on Wednesday.

U.S. presses to jail Madoff on diamonds, watches mail (Reuters)

Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff should be jailed for violating a court order by mailing $1 million worth of diamonds, watches and other jewelry to friends and family, U.S. prosecutors told a court on Wednesday.

Israel approves tougher war on Hamas (AFP)

AFP - Israel on Wednesday approved an even tougher war on Hamas, warning residents to flee southern Gaza ahead of planned bombing of cross-border tunnels, as the Palestinian death toll passed 700.

Kremlin lays down terms as gas crisis engulfs Europe (AFP)

AFP - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday laid down terms for a resumption of Russian gas shipments via Ukraine to Europe as tens of thousands of Europeans suffered heating cuts amid freezing weather.

Choosing Your Builder: Cheapest Quote Wins?

Home Improvement Home Improvement