Ian Brewerton Architecture

Use a builder recommended by someone you trust. If they are unknown to you and not recommended, ask for references - and follow them up.

Make sure that you and the builder both understand what is to be done, when, and at what cost. Put it in writing. There is no good reason for a builder to refuse to agree these basic details in writing. When you appoint the builder some form of written agreement is essential. Most standard forms of contract are long legalistic documents that require a professional to administer them. For small domestic projects if you are not intending to use an Architect to supervise the work on site, the "Building Contract for a home owner / occupier" is published by the JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal). This is in plain English and is (or should be) available from major bookshops.

Electrical work should be carried out by a firm registered with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), and for Domestic clients is controlled by the Building Regulations. (Limited DIY work is permitted but nearly all such work must be independently tested and inspected.)

Work to gas installations must be by a firm registered with CORGI. (DIY work to gas installations is illegal and dangerous.)

Tell your own insurers that the work is to be carried out.

Don't pay a deposit if you can avoid it. There may be several reasons for a builder to ask for a deposit. Are you creditworthy ? If you have past CCJ's against your name you may just have to pay up in advance; builders do sometimes get ripped off by their clients. Otherwise ask why they want a deposit - they may be prepared to accept a bank reference instead. Or the builder may not be creditworthy - in that case don't use them.

Pay promptly for satisfactory work. If stage payments have been agreed, keep to them so long as the work is proceeding satisfactorily. Late payment is such a problem in the construction industry that there is a statutory scheme governing the timing of payments and the procedures when something goes wrong, and the builder is legally entitled to stage payments for any work taking longer than a month.

If the builder stops work, either repeatedly or for a long period, for no apparent reason ask why. Stoppages may indicate that he is in financial difficulties, or has more work in hand than he can manage satisfactorily. The faster you act the more likely you are to get a satisfactory outcome. But first - Have you paid what is due to the builder ? If you haven't paid for work done in accordance with the agreement you have only yourself to blame if he walks off the job ...

If work is unsatisfactory tell the builder in writing immediately, and withhold payment for that work (and that work only).

If - and only if - you are satisfied with a firm, recommend them to others.