Advise On Builders Please !!! (new Build)

actorladdy

Hello, I am due to hire a builder to completely build a new home and have heard many horror stories. My Soliciter and Archetect have said "Get everything down on paper" and a little research has said pay only in staged payments. However, I am still concerned as what happens if said builder goes bust? I am assured by family and friends that trying to get money back will be impossible - so is there an Insurance policy I can take out as I am unemployed and using my entire life savings to fund my retirement home and if this goes belly up then so does my future!!! I am a complete novice with no DIY skills so I could be a lamb to the slaughter. Any positive advise would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Peter.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

leftieM

The advice to get everything on paper is very good. You need to write down everything - if you tell the tradesman to add in an extra socket get a quote for this and both of you sign something saying that you understand what's going on. You need to deal with the minutiae - from the type of bricks to the exact location of every plug and socket. If you change things after the builder has worked on them it will cost more. Get re-quoted for the extra work before anything gets done. Make sure you have a realistic budget. You probably need to factor in 20% as contingency money in case there is a problem along the way.
I bought a great book called The Housebuilder's Bible (can't rem by whom). It gave costings for different options such as different windows, paving, brickwork etc so you can least have some idea of what's what.
It will be very stressful. There is no avoiding it as far as I can see. You are entering into a business partnership with a builder. You need to manage that relationship carefully.
Good luck with it.

facingthefuture

Hi there, with some many builders about to go bust be careful - my accountant told me many won't make the end of January. Make sure payments are arranged according to stages and set time limits on completion of each stage. Basically expect problems and minimise them. My dad has had 2 builders go bust in the past whilst putting up a building and those that were brought in to finish always charged a much higher price.
Incidentally - two thing you make sure yourself are done right
1. I presume there is a radon barrier going in -be there till its in and the next few rows of bricks are in. Often brickkies cut the barrier at the corner in such a way that it leaks. If there is a leak its pointless and worse it can steer the harmful gas into a particular area - eg a childs bedroom with cancer risks. Don't take ANYONES word - you check it!!!!!
2) Make sure the ties are all clean to save damp problems in the future. Simple thing, the ties are small metal strips that go between the bricks. Make sure there is no residue cement on them or the damp will travel across.

Incidentally, Lefties advice is good. Have a look in your library first if you like. There are good house building forums online too.

dmxdave

Is that the best advice your Architect and Solicitor can offer? I feel they could be helping their client better.

As Leftie says be careful with the "extras" "Can I have another socket there please" or "Can I change the laminate floor to tiles" may be met with "Sure, no problem" will turn into a big shock at the end of the job.

In a competitive market a lot of trades are making more on the "extras" than the main contract.

actorladdy

Thanks to all who replied - I will take advise on board. I have decided to go with a Fixed Price Contract but am still aware that if Builder goes under then its worthless as you [EMAIL="can@t"]can't[/EMAIL] take the breeks off a highland man. Wish me Luck !!!

Francophile

When we were building our house 20 years ago we were paying in stage payments. At one point the builder said he needed more than had been agreed. The only way we could get the extra money was to take a bridging loan. The bank agreed to lend it to us but our solicitor had to sign it. When we took it to him he said no way were we to pay the builder the extra, just tell him he'd agreed the stages. We saved the cost of our solicitors fees with that one piece of advice. As said before if you make any changes getting the quote in writing. We leant that to our peril.

Francophile

PS Good luck. It'll be worth it in the end.