extension - how do i find a good builder .. help please

mumofthetwins

Hi guys

I have an architect coming this afternoon to draw up the plans and submit our planning application .. yay

My brother is a roofer so can get the roof done mega cheap but I don't know how to go about getting a builder to do the other work ?

Can anyone offer any advice about how to go about with the build or any recommendations ?

Its gonna (hopefully) be a double story side extension and I live in in the north east (South Tyneside).

Any advice would be great ... its just me and my 2 boys so don't want a builder thinking single mum they can rip off (pebbles I've watched to much channel 5 cowboy builders)

Any help would be great .... thanks guys
Lisa

suisidevw

If your brother is located nearby surely he can recommend a good builder?

andrewf75

personal recommendation is the only safe bet
Do you know anyone who has had an extension built?
If not do you know of a house locally which has had one built? Knock on the door and ask if they recommend their builder.
We tried this and no-one had a recommendation so we found a few via mybuilder and ended up using one based mostly on instinct. Turned out OK, but not ideal.

smifffy1989

Have you had a look at the trade review websites like checkatrade etc?

Find a local builder and google them see what comes up.

Can the architect recommend any?

Check they have insurance, ask what their normal work is like (ie are they extension specialists or odd job men)

andrewf75

smifffy1989 wrote: »

Have you had a look at the trade review websites like checkatrade etc?

you just need to be aware that reviews on these sites are always positive as they don't accept negative reviews so its a bit biased

I'd probably steer clear of the ones who have huge numbers of positive reviews on those sites. Good builders will get work through recommendations and won't need to try too hard to advertise themselves.

Captaincodpiece

Ask the architect who he'd used.