Getting Building Work Done?
From time to time it is likely that most home owners will need to call in a tradesman for building work to be carried out on their house. This may be for internal modifications, the building of a porch or extension, patio and so forth. What can you do to lower the risks of getting into a dispute over the work?
Use a reliable trader. Relatives or friends may have had similar work carried out and be able to recommend the tradesman. Such knowledge can be very helpful. If not, look for whether the tradesman is a member of a trade association as this can be a useful guide. Many problems with the standard of work, the time it takes to do a job and the price charged for it can be avoided if you find a reliable trader in the first place. “Buy Cheap Buy Twice” is a good saying.
When you are hiring the tradesman tell them exactly what it is that you want or what problem you have in your house and ask for a clear description from the tradesman as to what they intend to do to solve the problem.
Once you have discussed what needs to be done with the tradesman politely insist that there be a written firm and exact quotation for the job that needs doing rather than an estimate.
It is a good idea to try and get quotes from more than one trader to allow you to compare quotes and give you a feel for the firm you are going to employ.
When you are hiring the tradesman have a written contract in place, signed by both yourself and the tradesman. This is especially important for larger jobs such as building work. If there is a written contract in place it will be easier for you to seek redress if the building work goes badly wrong. A few hundred pounds spent at this stage in ensuring you have a good contract could save you thousands in future if a dispute arises.
You should only pay when the work is finished and you are satisfied with the standard of work. You should not have to pay for anything other than materials before work starts. Larger or more complicated building works may have to be paid in instalments during the job as stages are finished. If you agree to pay in instalments these stages should be written into the contract as well as the final date for payment. If at any stage you are not satisfied with the work done you are entitled to withhold payment for that stage until the work is brought up to your satisfaction.
Beware of traders who demand too much up front. This may be in breach of the law and there is obviously a risk that you may lose your money if the company goes bankrupt before work is started.
In recent years the Government launched the Quality Mark Scheme in which traders are assessed before being allowed on to the Scheme and work is covered by a six year quality mark warranty.
Hopefully the building work will progress well and you will have no problems with the trader, but if you do have problems, if you have taken the above steps it may be easier for you to get help.
Simon Speed
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