Finding a Quality Local Builder

Builder - If you live in the UK and you are looking to hire a qualified local builder, there are four easy steps to follow if you start your search online. The relationship between contractors and consumers has been strained lately, but there are organizations whose aim is to restore the confidence and fidelity between consumers and trade associations.

In the past, people have often sought for general contractors by going to the internet and searching various trade directories. This method may work fine looking for the phone number of a builder, but they do not offer any consumer protection whatsoever. Just about anyone can post themselves for hire on an internet directory without having to first go through a vetting process. All they have to do is pay a fee to be made available to the public. The result is an unwary consumer being duped into hiring an under-qualified contractor to perform a service on his or her home.

If you pause to consider, why would a qualified and expert contractor need to advertise his services in the first place? Would not the expectation that a true professional and craftsman would have enough business from past clients and from referrals that there would no need to pay a fee to show up on a directory?

In fact, if you are looking to hire a good local contractor, the first place you should begin your search is by asking family members or trusted friends for a referral. Once you have a name or two, compare them to a professional trade association, like a national association for builders, to find out if the builder is a member of the trade organization. Becoming a member of a trade organization requires a contractor to meet strict criteria and maintain a professional code of ethics as well as being reviewed by their peers.

National Builders Association

Builder associations will also check references provided by a contractor, will verify the relevance and authenticity of their certificates and licenses as well as ensuring that all liability insurance is maintained. The feedback from other consumers posted to the online website will also help provide positive criticism to a contractor, and, in the event of something going wrong, a builder association will provide mediation.

So, go to an association of contractor’s website and post the job you need done. You will get quotes emailed to you from prospective contractors to which you can review at your leisure and ask more questions. Once you find the right builder, you can then hire them and once the work is complete, you will provide feedback to the association to help improve the performance of the builder.Know more about Construction and Builders.