A BUILDER'S VIEW

Make sure you get accurate quotes for your project by following this key advice

These days, with both a lack of skilled tradespeople and an increasing workload for trades, even actually getting a good builder to provide a quote can be hard work! There are many reasons for this scenario, which I will go through in this article - as well as providing you with some useful advice on how best to get the quotes from the builders that you want.

First, one thing to remember is all good builders and tradespeople are booked up, some for well over a year. However, don't let this put you off and then end up making a rash decision to employ someone who can start for you straight away. This is the last thing you want to do - for multiple reasons.

Bear in mind that in the current climate,good contractors are always busy and that they choose who they work for. They get more calls than they can deal with.

BUILD A RAPPORT

When I deliver my talks at The Homebuilding & Renovating Show, the first thing I say is when you pick up the phone to call a tradesperson, that is when the relationship starts. What I mean by this is simple: if you are polite to trades, they will be more than happy to come round and meet with you to discuss your project. If you are rude or short to them, it's not going to happen.

Remember that trades could be in your house for months, even a year, so both sides will want the relationship to work. So when you have picked your three chosen contractors and spoken to them on the phone, the first meeting will now take place. One quick bit of advice for you: don't book your appointments with them back to back so that they're all sitting outside together!

The next top tip is to offer a cuppa! This is our fuel, and nothing starts things off better than a cup of tea! Ideally, you would have the following ready before they come and visit the project: