How to Select a Building Contractor
Whether you are a private home owner, a commercial owner, a business, a housing association or a local authority; when you need a building contractor it's essential to pick one that will do a quality job at a reasonable cost to a fixed timescale. In this industry, horror stories abound about long delays (or perhaps half finished projects), overcharging and low quality (and sometimes dangerous) standards of work and materials.
Here are some guidelines to help you to choose the right building contractor so that your building project goes well.
Health & Safety
The contractor must have the mandatory health and safety accreditations (ask to see them), training (ask the staff) and policies. If they do not have these they are a danger to themselves and you.
Organisational Memberships
The contractor should have memberships of associations such as NFB (National Federation of Builders), NHBC (National House Building Council) and Exor. Check with these associations that they really are authorized members. Such memberships and accreditations should be on the builder's website. For example, our memberships and accreditations can be seen at Hungerford Builder.
Experience & References
The contractor must be able to give examples and references of work they have done which is analogous to your requirements. Ask for references and follow them up. A good web site here is very helpful as it should show examples of the contractor's work as well as having satisfied customer testimonials. Look for reviews and ratings in Google Places and other applicable local directory internet sites. Google the contractor's name and see what comes up and the try again adding words like 'complaint ', 'problem ' and 'quality ' to your search.
Cleanliness & Tidiness
Are there vehicles and offices kept fresh and clean? If not, then they are probably going to leave your place in messy state. Their staff should be polite and well dressed (ideally with ID badges and uniforms).
Materials
Where do they buy their building materials? They should use reputable suppliers. Always ask.
Trades & Contractors
Do they employ a good range of building trades (e.g. Bricklayers, carpenters, roofers and decorators)? If they only have one trade then they're going to have to subcontract out the other work and won't truly have the experience to properly manage those sub-contractors. Where they do subcontract out work, they should have proof of a longstanding relationship with the subcontracting firms.
Pricing & Timescale
Wherever feasible, they should quote a set price and timescale for the job with a clear statement of work so you know what is and isn't included. They should have a variations process to agree pricing and impact of any changes that surface in the job.
Here are some guidelines to help you to choose the right building contractor so that your building project goes well.
Health & Safety
The contractor must have the mandatory health and safety accreditations (ask to see them), training (ask the staff) and policies. If they do not have these they are a danger to themselves and you.
Organisational Memberships
The contractor should have memberships of associations such as NFB (National Federation of Builders), NHBC (National House Building Council) and Exor. Check with these associations that they really are authorized members. Such memberships and accreditations should be on the builder's website. For example, our memberships and accreditations can be seen at Hungerford Builder.
Experience & References
The contractor must be able to give examples and references of work they have done which is analogous to your requirements. Ask for references and follow them up. A good web site here is very helpful as it should show examples of the contractor's work as well as having satisfied customer testimonials. Look for reviews and ratings in Google Places and other applicable local directory internet sites. Google the contractor's name and see what comes up and the try again adding words like 'complaint ', 'problem ' and 'quality ' to your search.
Cleanliness & Tidiness
Are there vehicles and offices kept fresh and clean? If not, then they are probably going to leave your place in messy state. Their staff should be polite and well dressed (ideally with ID badges and uniforms).
Materials
Where do they buy their building materials? They should use reputable suppliers. Always ask.
Trades & Contractors
Do they employ a good range of building trades (e.g. Bricklayers, carpenters, roofers and decorators)? If they only have one trade then they're going to have to subcontract out the other work and won't truly have the experience to properly manage those sub-contractors. Where they do subcontract out work, they should have proof of a longstanding relationship with the subcontracting firms.
Pricing & Timescale
Wherever feasible, they should quote a set price and timescale for the job with a clear statement of work so you know what is and isn't included. They should have a variations process to agree pricing and impact of any changes that surface in the job.
About the Author:
SIS Construction is a family owned and run building company, based in Hungerford West Berkshire, with a lots of experience, and employing all building trades. We have experience of repairs, maintenance, modifications, extensions, refurbishment, development etc. Further information can be discovered in our FAQs about Building Work.