homebuilding.co.uk 127The Build projecT advice
15
Bea goodclienT
There are cowboy builders. There are builders who
fail to finish or fail to finish on time. There are builders
who don’t do a very good job cosmetically. But, because
of the regulations and the overseeing of the statutory
and warranty inspectors, there are very few structural
disasters. That’s why you have to make your initial
enquiries, talk to previous clients and inspect their
previous work.
But there are also cowboy clients. Clients who are late
payers. Clients who withhold payment for trumped
up reasons. Clients who deduct amounts that are
disproportionate to their perceived grievance.
Don’t be one of those.12
respecTBreaks
You’ll obviously visit site in
workinghours and during that visit
you’llbeable to talk to your builders
andthesubcontractors. But respect
theirbreak times. If they’re on a tea
orlunchbreak they’ll want to sit and
eattheir‘snap’, read the paper or
chataboutother things. They won’t
wanttotalk business. Sit with them.
Joinintheir general conversation and
leavewhatyou want to talk about
untiltheirbreak is over. They’ll really
appreciatethat.Come along for a free
15-minute consultation with
an expert at our dedicated
Ask the Experts stand
(www.homebuildingshow.co.uk)Homebuilding
&renovatingShow
14
ThinkThroughyourmaTerialcosTs
Recognition of the self-build market by major suppliers and merchants has
meant that the self-builder can now enjoy discounts that may equal or even
exceed those that the builder can get. This is simply because the builder may have a
spread of suppliers, with relatively low amounts amortised between them, while the
self-builder is likely to be spending a lot in one place.
Additionally, because the self-builder may be an avid reader of Homebuilding
& Renovating and an attendee of the self-build exhibitions, they may well choose
materials or equipment that are not generally stocked by the builder’s regular sources.
In which case these items may well be purchased more advantageously by the self-
builder direct.13
diy...ordon’T
It may seem like a
great idea for the
reasonably competent
among you to undertake
some of the work on
site yourself or attempt
to mitigate costs by
working alongside the
builders and operatives.
Invariably, the
involvement of a non-
professional slows the
job down and results
in costs to the builder.
Don’t, therefore, be
surprised if they agree
to it at your insistence
but are reluctant to
agree a full refund.
Don’t, also, be
surprised if a whole
day working alongside
the people working on
site gets you no thanks
and no reward other
than the feeling of
satisfaction brought
about by you having put
the sweat of your brow
into the project.image: getty images