So, like most homeowners, there’s always some work you’d like to do to your home. Perhaps it’s redoing that patio or building a conservatory. Whatever building project you have in mind, finding the right builder will turn your dream into reality. How can you make sure that your chosen builder will do a quality job? What if you have a limited budget, should you go for the cheapest builder? When you have to balance the budget over quality, this article will help you make the right decision to achieve your goal.
What are the Hallmarks of Good Quality Builders in Oxford
Looking for a great builder for that project on your home in Oxfordshire? These are some of the important qualities you need to focus on to make sure you pick the right one:
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Experience
It is important to find a local builder with relevant experience in the type of project you have in mind. If you want to build an extension to your house, then find a contractor who has a proven track record of completing quality home extensions. Same goes for kitchen refurbs, bathroom fitting or other building trade.
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Reliable
When embarking on a project that may impact your family’s life such as a garage conversion or loft conversion, you want a builder who will show up when they say they will. A lot of building work involves making compromises and a builder who is always late or doesn’t show up just makes life a little difficult for you.
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Competitive Pricing
There are builders who will come in with very low bids just to get their foot into the door. It is always a good idea to “shop around” even when it comes to building work. Research builders in your local area and get at least three quotes. If one is significantly lower than the others, toss it out. The goal here is not to go for the cheapest deal or the dearest but the builder who offers the best value.
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Communication and Availability
You can easily tell if a builder has great communication skills before you hire them. On making initial contact to request a quotation, do they come back to you within a reasonable timescale? When you make an appointment to meet to discuss the job, are they on time?
Some say a busy builder is a good builder i.e. they wouldn’t be busy if they were no good. Once a project begins, a great builder will give you regular update, stick to their schedule and inform you if anything comes up that may affect their work.
This section of the article tells you what to look for in a great builder, next we will discuss how to find builders in Oxford so that you can start your search.
Where to Find Quality Builders in Oxford
Now that you know the qualities that you should look for in a builder, where do you find one? Unlike in the past when you had to dig deep to find great builders, today you’ll likely face a different problem.
There are simply too many builders to choose from. This can be a good problem to have because of supply and demand factors i.e. more builders, more competition, lower prices. However, picking the best of the bunch is a challenge because you have such a big bunch in your hands.
Below you will find some of the tried and tested ways of finding the best builder for your project.
Word of Mouth
We now live in the digital age but word-of-mouth advertising is even more powerful than before. If you’re looking for a quality builder in Oxford, why not ask friends and family for recommendations? This is one traditional method that is still alive today and for the foreseeable future. Anyone who has ever had a great experience with a builder can’t wait to share their experience, all you have to do is get them talking. You can also ask around if someone has used a particular builder once you have come up with your shortlist.
Online Trades Directories
The likes of www.checkatrade.com and www.yell.com aggregate builders and trades professionals working within a chosen geographic area. This is a great resource if you are looking to find a reputable builder in Oxfordshire. Alternatively, if you want to check the online reviews of a specific builder, for example, Lynch Brother Homes, you will be able to see their work history on the site.
A builder’s online reputation is a key element to consider before you hire them. Check reviews on Google or other reviews websites. If you cannot find any mention of them online then that could be a red flag in some cases.
Company Website and Social Media
Checking the company website of a builder during your due diligence will provide some clues to how good a builder they are. Great builders are not afraid to showcase their successful projects. You should expect to see photographs of recently completed projects and even projects in progress.
You will also find links to Social Media pages on many company websites, which is another great resource for doing your research. Usually, a builder who is happy to share their work on Social Media has nothing to hide. Search “Lynch Brother Homes” on Facebook and you will see for yourself.
Ask for References
While the other methods above are perfect while you’re making a shortlist of your local builders to consider for your project, checking references takes you that step further. You should only consider asking references from builders you are actually considering hiring for the job.
Use the other methods to come up with your final list of say three local homebuilders and then check out references (preferably recent customers) to arrive at your final choice. When checking references ask lots of questions, how was the builder’s conduct before and during construction? Would you recommend this builder to your family? Would you use this builder again if you have another building project? Any customer who has had an amazing experience with a builder can’t wait to tell someone about it.
Conclusion: Quality Builder Versus Budget Builder
No matter how big or small the job is, going through this process shifts the odds of finding a quality and reliable builder in your favour. So what are you going to choose? Quality over budget? What if there was a middle ground? Let’s call it value for money. Would that be a win-win situation for you?
Lynch Brother Homes offer value for money when it comes to delivering building projects. This means they may not necessarily be the cheapest quotation you’ll get. But, in return for your hard-earned cash, you can expect the best material and workmanship your money can buy.
If you would like to enjoy peace of mind during your building project, do not hesitate to contact Lynch Brother Homes today.
Please feel free to check out our blog on “How to choose a builder in Oxford” we hope this information goes some way to help ease the process.
