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Renfrewshire Community Plan 2008 - 2017 Choosing a builder
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When choosing a builder, it is essential that you carry out as many builder checks as possible, especially as there are not many official qualifications for builders. You should ask lots of questions to find a good builder.
If you don't know of a good builder through word of mouth or personal recommendation, look in Yellow Pages, local newspapers or on recommendation websites.
Trade organisations
Organisations that builders may belong to include the Federation of Master Builders, the Guild of Builders and Contractors and the National Federation of Builders. These bodies aren’t a guarantee of good work and they are funded by membership fees, but they can be an indication of a good builder's credentials.
Cowboys may, however, claim to be members when they aren't or after their membership has elapsed, so always check whether membership is up to date.
If you don't know of a good builder through word of mouth or personal recommendation, look in Yellow Pages, local newspapers or on recommendation websites.
Trade organisations
Organisations that builders may belong to include the Federation of Master Builders, the Guild of Builders and Contractors and the National Federation of Builders. These bodies aren’t a guarantee of good work and they are funded by membership fees, but they can be an indication of a good builder's credentials.
Cowboys may, however, claim to be members when they aren't or after their membership has elapsed, so always check whether membership is up to date.
You can use our trader checklist to help you select a reliable trader and guide you through the process of forming a contract.
Trader Checklist (pdf - 788Kb)You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents. Download Acrobat Reader here.
Renfrewshire Trusted Trader Scheme
Renfrewshire traders have signed up to become members of our Trusted Trader Scheme. We have a directory of consumer rated businesses that have agreed to abide by a specific code, as set out by Trading Standards. You will see their average score out of 10 for their previous jobs and also a compiled list of customer comments to help you make a decision when choosing a trader.
How to check a builder's credentials
Builder references
Make sure that the builder takes you to see work that they have recently finished and introduces you to the people who own the property. Don’t just accept a written reference or call – these can easily be falsified.
Builder qualifications
Qualifications to look out for are NVQs and HNDs in construction. And check that your builder can demonstrate awareness of health and safety issues – this is critical for any construction project. The builder should have copies of certificates of their qualifications to show you.
Trades insurance
Ask to see a copy of your builder's insurance certificate to check it won’t expire during the time they are working on your project. There are three things that you need:
- public liability insurance in case someone gets hurt on your site
- cover in case there is damage to the rest of your property, so they re-do the work or are insured to pay others, such as decorators
- cover in case the builder goes bust or has an accident, so you can pay someone else to finish the job.
Get detailed builders' quotes
Some builders' quotes can lack detailed information about the work and costs. You should sit down with the builder, agree a fixed cost upfront or a daily rate of pay, and the number of days that the job is likely to take.
Agree a contingency plan should there be any problems during the build, for example if the job takes longer than expected. Then go through the materials list and work out prices for each – or go to a builders’ merchant together and see what you can negotiate off the headline cost.
Builder availability
You could get lucky and find a builder who is ready to start in less than two months, if they've had a cancellation. But for really good builders, it could be as long as a year. Beware of builders that are ready straight away – this could be a sign of a rogue trader. Most good builders tend to line up one or more jobs at a time, to ensure reliable workflow.
Written building work guarantees
Your builder should ideally guarantee his or her work for a period of time, and you should to get this guarantee in writing. Check whether the builder will come back and do any necessary remedial work if there's a problem, or if you would have the choice of getting someone else to do it.
Create a contract with your builder
You need to agree, by letter or with a formal contract, what work the builder is going do, the payment stages and what happens if there is a dispute, the builder can’t finish the work or you can’t pay for the work for any reason.
Paying your builder
Never pay for all building work upfront - draw up a schedule of payment for each stage of the work with the builder. Ideally, you should agree to release money only when each stage of the work is finished to the specification provided and to your satisfaction.
How to record a complaint against a trader
- In the first instance, you should contact the trader in writing and give them the opportunity to resolve any issues you may have.
- Send your complaint letter by Recorded Delivery and keep a copy of the letter and the Recorded Delivery receipt for records.
- Consumer Direct and Directgov have produced template letters to make a complaint.
If your letter fails to resolve the complaint and you require to speak with an adviser for further consumer advice:
- contact our partners, Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
- If Consumer Direct advice does not resolve your complaint, they will refer it on to us for further investigation. Please note that, depending on the circumstances, it may take up to 10 working days before we can contact you.
- For further consumer advice please visit the Directgov website.
Alternatively, you can complete the following form and submit direct to Trading Standards:
- Consumer Complaint Reporting Form (PDF - 604kb)
Contact us
- email: ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- Phone: 08454 040506
- call in or write to us at:
- Trading Standards
Environmental Services
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1BR
