The source of this Information is Watchdog UK website.
Recommendation
Ask for references and names of
previous clients. Speak to them and look at their previous work, if
possible.
Deal with an established firm
Make sure they have an office
address, telephone number and use headed notepaper.
Check they are a member of a
reputable trade association, and if VAT is being charged, make sure there
is a VAT
number shown.
Be clear about what you want
Get a written specification and
estimate.
Agree any stage and final
payments before work starts.
Get more than one estimate.
Avoid changing your mind halfway
through a job - it usually costs more and causes delays.
Ask for an insurance-backed
warranty for the work.
What to look out for
High pressure sales people from
so-called specialists.
Do not sign anything you have
not read or do not understand.
Advance payments, particularly
at the start of the job, should be avoided.
Demands for cash payments. You
are only fuelling the black economy and putting yourself at risk from
rogue traders.
What to do if things go wrong
Speak to your builder if you
think things are not right. Try and resolve problems quickly, do not let
them fester.
If your builder does not sort
things out after you have spoken to him, put your complaint in writing.
If there are still problems, get further advice. Depending on theproblem, consult a solicitor, the Citizens Advice
Bureau, Trading Standards,
Building Control or Trade Association.
What is a quote?
To obtain the exact fixed cost of a job, you
should always request a quote before any work is undertaken.
The quote should include a schedule, especially if it's a large job. This will provide a breakdown of costs for each of the
main
stages of the work.
It's important when obtaining a quote that youconfirm how long the price is valid for and whether it includes VAT. You can
confirm the validity of the VAT number by calling your local VAT office.
Finally, remember that a very cheap quote maymean the use of poor quality materials or inexperienced workers. To avoid
this,
it's recommended to request at least three quotes before selecting a contractor.
What is an estimate?
If you're provided with an estimated cost for
a job you should remember that this is simply a rough calculation. This is not
a
fixed cost and will almost certainly change upon completion of the job. To
remove any doubts, you should always request a
quote before any work is
undertaken.
Price guide for home repair quotes
Hourly charges and call-out fees for builders
vary across the country. Some builders always charge a call-out fee whereas
others don't charge them but will add travel time instead.
Tips
Delay small repairs and write
them down on a list. Keep the list in the kitchen so you always know where
it is and
once you have a few jobs, ring your local builder. This will
save you from having to pay a call-out charge for each job.
Make sure you read the builder
the list when asking him to call so that he has some idea of what
materials to bring
and how long he needs to do the job.