How to choose a builder?
Choosing the right builder for your home project is essential to avoid delays, extra costs, or poor workmanship. This guide will help you find reliable local builders, ensuring your renovation, extension, or conversion is completed to the highest standards.
Contents
- Why It’s Important to Choose a Reputable Builder Near You
- Factors to Consider When Choosing Local Builders in Essex
- How Do You Know if a Builder is Reliable? Checking Builder Reliability
- Builders’ Qualifications: What Should I Look For?
- How Kirkwood Can Help You Find the Right Builder
- Areas We Cover for Builders in Essex
- Builder Tips for Choosing the Best Local Builders
- Don't take our word for it
- Frequently Asked Question
- Final Thoughts on Choosing a Builder Near Me
Why It’s Important to Choose a Reputable Builder Near You
Choosing the right builder for your home project is essential to avoid delays, extra costs, or poor workmanship. This guide will help you find reliable local builders, ensuring your renovation, extension, or conversion is completed to the highest standards.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Local Builders in Essex
Choosing the right builder in Essex can make or break your project. Here are a few important things to consider
Experience
Make sure your builder has experience with projects like yours, whether it is a kitchen extension, loft conversion, or garage conversion. You want someone who has done it before and knows what they are doing.
Portfolio
Ask for examples of previous projects. Seeing their work gives you confidence of their standard of work whether it’s a small extension or a large home renovation.
Customer Reviews
Check reviews and get feedback from previous clients. At Kirkwood, we only work with builders who have positive customer reviews.
How Do You Know if a Builder is Reliable? Checking Builder Reliability
Reliable builders will have no hesitation in showing you examples of their previous work, in fact, they will more than likely mention it first. Reason being is if they are good and confident then they will want to show you their work to prove to you they are the right choice for your project. If they are unwilling to do so, its a red flag. It is highly advisable to visit at least one projects and speak directly to the homeowners. When you visit you could ask them the following:
Key Questions to Ask Past Clients:
- How was communication? Were the builders clear and polite?
- Were they punctual and stick to the plan?
- Did they keep you informed about any delays or issues?
- Was the project completed on time and within budget?
- Did they manage other trades effectively?
- Were they clean and tidy?
- How was the language on site and did they provide a portaloo?
It’s important to hire a builder with experience in the specific type of work you are looking for. It could be a kitchen extension, a loft conversion, or another home renovation project. A good builder should also have a solid understanding of current building regulations and should easily demonstrate this.
Builders’ Qualifications: What Should I Look For?
Although there are no formal qualifications required to call oneself a builder it’s essential to choose someone who can demonstrate experience and knowledge in their trade. Here are some qualifications and credentials to look out for:
Useful Builder Qualifications:
- CSCS Cards: Builders may hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card which shows they have the necessary training and qualifications for the work they perform onsite.
- National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs): A builder with an NVQ in construction can demonstrate a deeper understanding of their trade.
For specific trades, such as electricians and plumbers, you will want to ensure they have the right qualifications:
Qualifications for Specific Trades:
- Gas Safe Registration: If you’re fitting gas appliances, such as a cooker in your new kitchen, make sure the plumber is Gas Safe Registered.
- Competent Person Scheme: When having electrical work done, check that the electrician is registered with a Competent Person Scheme, such as NICEIC or ELECSA.
While qualifications are handy, they do not always mean you will get the builder you are looking for. Some of the best builders I have met had no qualifications or members of any schemes. Their work spoke for itself. They learnt on the job and not in a class room which gave them the real experience they needed to become top level.
How Kirkwood Can Help You Find the Right Builder
At Kirkwood, we do the hard work withputting you in contact with trusted local builders. We provide a full home extension planning service, including architectural plans and structural engineering, but we do not build the extension ourselves. Insteadwe work with vetted builders who have a history of delivering topquality projects, working from our architectural plans.
Step 1
Experience Free Site Visit
Step 2
Architectural Plans & Structural Calculations
Step 3
Step 3: Planning Permission
Step 4
Recommendations for Trusted Builders
Step 5
Free 3D Kitchen Designs
For more information on how Kirkwood can help, contact us at Info@kirkwoodbuild.co.uk or call 01268 944233.
Areas We Cover for Builders in Essex
Kirkwood covers the whole of Essex. Whether you’re in Chelmsford, Wickford, Brentwood, or anywhere else in Essex, we connect you with local builders who know the area well and are familiar with local regulations. We work closely with them to make sure every project runs smoothly.
Builder Tips for Choosing the Best Local Builders
Here are some tips to help you choose the best local builders for your project:
- Meet the builder: Always meet the builder face-to-face before paying any money. It’s important to get a feel for how they work and them as a person.
- Get a detailed quote: Make sure the builder gives you a detailed quote that breaks down the costsand also a payment schedule.
- Check their payment terms: Payments should only be made after the builder has reached a certain check point and after building regs have inspected and give the thumbs up to continue.
- Oversee planning permission: We handle this for you so no need to worry here. We communicate directly with the council taking any stress away from you.
Don't take our word for it
See what our customers are saying
Kirkwood Design and Build Builders, Wickford did a fantastic job on our extension in Billericay. They helped with planning permission, design, and build. Professional company through and through. Given that we haven't done such a large project before, we were a bit nervous and had a lot of questions. Jamie and his team from Kirkwood Design and Build Builders was good putting us at ease and now that we are fully complete with all our work, we further appreciate how professional this company is. Would highly recommend.
Great company and very professional. Nothing was a problem, very helpful and will definitely use them again. Have already given their details to a friend of mine.
Great builders, very professional and perfectionists! Thank you for such an amazing job
Jamie and his team were so profesional from start to finish and made the job a joy to watch our dream come together.Very knowledgeable and contactable throughout the process.Couldn't ask for a better outcome and value for money.Will definitely be recommending and 100% will use again!5 star!!!
I highly recommend the Kirkwood team! Exceptional workmanship, clear communication, Jamie & his team have provided the utmost as a polite & professional team! Very satisfied customer, looking forward to planning our loft conversion this year with you guys! Many thanks!
frequently asked question
To find a reputable builder you need to check their portfolio, reviewsand make sure they have the experience needed for your project. At Kirkwood, we handle all of that for you, ensuring you work with only the best builders in Essex.
Kirkwood works exclusively with trusted builders in Essex. We only recommend builders who have proven track record and reliable feedback from customers.
You can check their past projects and get feedback from previous customers. If a builder is not prepared to give you the customers contact details for a project they are currently on, run a mile.
Your contract should cover the projects approximate timeline, payment structure, work included and work not that is not included. It’s important to have everything clearly laid out before work starts.
Speak to an existing or previous customer and ask if you can go and view their work in person. Meet the previous or existing customer and ask questions. All online reviews can be faked, especially Trade Directories. Also, the builder should be happy to provide you with a detailed list of what is not included so your not left assuming. It is your job to ask.
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Builder Near Me
Choosing the right builder for your home project is essential to avoid delays, extra costs, or poor workmanship. This guide wiChoosing the right builder is crucial for a successful project. With Kirkwood, you get access to local builderswho are reliable, experienced with our architectural designs, and ready to bring your vision to life. Whether it’s a loft conversion, kitchen extension, or a full house extensionwe’ll guide you through the process.
ll help you find reliable local builders, ensuring your renovation, extension, or conversion is completed to the highest standards.
For more information on how Kirkwood can help, contact us at Info@kirkwoodbuild.co.uk or call 01268 944233.