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Choosing
Your Builder
If
you are considering
any work to your
property and you
require a builder
you should consider
this choice very
carefully. As this
is one of the biggest
investments you
are likely to make
you should thoroughly
check any builder
out before employing
their services.
Here
are some things
you should consider
doing.
For
large projects consider
employing a professional
to advise you
Addresses
and contact numbers
of professional
organisations are
printed overleaf
Discuss
the extent of your
arrangement with
your professional
Does
it involve the preparation
of plans only or
is site supervision
part of the package
If
you consider your
job so small you
don't require a
professional, get
advice from someone
from the industry
who you know and
trust.
Always
obtain quotations
(at least three)
and have them checked.
Don't
automatically go
for the cheapest
quote.
Ask
questions of the
builder:
· where have
they worked before
· are they
happy for you to
see their work
· what is
their expertise
in the particular
project you intend
to carry out
· how do
they want to be
paid: on completion
or in stages
· can they
supply references
from satisfied customers
·
are they
happy to accept
a retention clause
·
will
they give you a
final completion
date
·
will they accept
a penalty clause
on failure to complete
in time
·
will
they agree to independent
arbitration should
you have a dispute
Consider
using a JCT home
owner building contract,
available from good
bookshops (ISBN
1-85263-817-6).
Many of the things
listed above are
included in this
clear and simple
contract.
Finally reassure
yourself by checking
out the builder's
work, references
and other aspects,
like work habits,
with previous clients.
Ask
questions now, don't
wait until its too
late
Be Safe…..…Be Sure…..…Not
Sorry
Useful
addresses and contact
numbers
Better
Regulations
Unit
Cabinet OfficeGreat
George Street
London SW1P
3AQ
|
British Chambers
of Commerce
Manning House
22 Carlisle
Place
London SW1P
1JA
Tel: 020 7565
2000 |
British
Institute of
Architectural
Technologists
(BIAT)
397 City Road
London EC1V
1NE
Tel: 020 7278
2206
|
Building
Guarantee Scheme
(UK) Ltd
Administrative
Office for the
UK
143 Malone Road
Belfast BT9
6SU
Tel: 028 9087
7143
|
Chartered
Institute of
Building
Englemere Kings
Ride
Ascot SL5 7TB
Tel: 01344 630700
Fax: 01344 630777 |
Citizens
Advice Bureaux
Middleton House
115 - 123 Pentonville
Road
London N1 9LZ
|
Department
for Transport,
the Regions
and Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E
5DU
Tel: 020 7944
3000
|
Federation
of Master Builders
Gordon Fisher
House
14 - 15 Great
James Street
London WC1N
3DP
Tel: 020 7242
7583
Fax:020 7404
0296 |
National
Federation of
Builders
Federation House
Green Lane
Durham City
DH1 3JY
Tel 0191 383
6920 |
National
Consumer Council
20 Grosvenor
Gardens
London SW1W
0DH
Tel: 020 7730
3469
Fax:020 7730
0191 |
Royal
Institution
of British Architects
(RIBA)
66 Portland
Place
London W1N 4AD
Tel: 0207 580
5533.
Fax: 0207 255
1541.
|
Royal
Institution
of Chartered
Surveyors(RICS)
12 Great George
Street
Parliament Square
London SW1P
3AD
Tel: 020 7222
7000 |
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