How the heck did you find & manage your builder?

[cantthinkofaname]

Hello mums and dads of ED

Many of you will have successfully done building work, and I'm wondering how!

We need to remodel our downstairs (new kitchen, remove walls, change location of electrics and plumbing, brick up window,make good).

I'm struggling to actually get most builders to reply, even for a quote. How did you go about finding, verifying, commissioning your builders, and how was managing them during the works, particularly around kids and pets?

So far I've trawled the EDF (but there are too many self promoters),

got the Nappy Valley magazine (but very tailored to SW London moneybags),

asked for recommendations from friends (few and far between),

asked MyBuilder (but nobody follows up).

We were really hoping to start the work at the end of October but I still feel at square one.

We're using the last of our savings, so obviously we'd like it to be someone proven, reasonable in price, committed and responsive.

[Dodo1]

hi

we are using an architect (found here) who has asked several builders to quote for our ground floor remodelling.

[Dun]

Hi I understand as we've done several renovations and have had a range of builders. We used Valdex 18 months ago for a very large project after finding a post on here that recommended them. We were very happy with their work. A neighbour has just finished redoing their whole ground floor following our recommendation and she showed the finished work today and said she thought they were marvellous. PM me if you want more info. Their number is +44 7793 540306.

[Ds dec]

Im a painter by trade and been on 3 big jobs in the last 6 mts where people have paid the builder half befor work as even started(not a good idea)and the rest befor the job was finished. Id say maybe only paying part cost for materials befor thay start and then paying them every week or 2 weeks for the work thats been done, that way people cant run off with the money without finishing the job

[Giacomelli]

Hi!

My only advice is be prepared to wait for the good ones. I waited 4 months for my builder (just a bathroom refurb!) and was happy I did. Can give you his details if you like but is now booked until January. My friend recommended him but he is also on checkatrade. Checkatrade is better than mybuilder as I think with mybuilder the tradespeople pay to get your work (maybe the great ones dont need to?). However,again, the checkatrade ones are usually really booked up. I have been trying to find someone to tile my hallway for aaages and I also have had guys not replying with a quote. I reckon because it's not a massive job and the good ones can pick and chose what they do. Good luck!

[Cam123]

I think you probably need an informal chat with an architect as a starting point. They'll be able to do your plans for the builder to work to and will know some trusted local builders for you to meet with. If needed they'll be able to take a lot of the strain off your plate.

Personally, I have learned to take builder/tradesmen recommendations from this forum with a pinch of salt.

[Rosio123]

Hi

If you are still looking for a builder I would highly recommend Marvin and his team from Sky-High builders who've just finished a job for me in W Dul ([email protected]). The job was done to a very high standard indeed, any problems picked up and dealt with efficiently along the way, and very responsive to our ever changing demands. His team of tradesmen are all excellent, extremely polite and tidy. I've expressly joined the forum to make this recommendation because this team do stand out from all the other builders I've had before. I had a loft conversion requiring roof works, external pointing and internal decorations throughout the house - the great thing about Marvin is that he put a lot of thought into the project and his ideas for solving particular design problems have been really great. Highly recommended.