You can see the difference between a quality house extension and one that looks like it's been completed badly....but there is more to quality than you can see with the eye. It's easy to plaster over the cracks and bad workmanship and the cost of this will come to bite you in the years ahead...(think leaking roof, poor plaster, cold drafts and major structural issues).
There are many issues which can arise when sub-quality materials and labour are used to build an Extension. It's very obvious when you see bad work but how do you really know your builder is top quality? How can you ensure that they've used robust materials throughout?
As builders, we are always looking at other work to see how it compares to ours at Andrews Extensions - of course we are! I see more bad work than good on my daily commute to work and I often can't understand how builders are getting away with it.
For example, a recent front porch extension built near me had completely different bricks used so the extension doesn't blend with the existing property....I won't even go into the fact that the work has been going on for a year now.
Another house a few streets away from where I live are having a loft conversion completed. It's visible to anyone who knows about building that the timber being used is not robust or strong enough for the job at hand but the house owners are happy because they don't know any better.
How can you ensure quality??
Here's some key tips from us, the experts...
Quote comparison. Always ascertain a number of quotes for the work you are doing. Don't just read the bottom line - really sit down and compare the quotes from different providers. Ask your preferred builders to review anything that you're not sure about. Your quote should be specific to you and is only comparable if all your builders provide you with bespoke quotes. Check for clear mistakes on the quote which indicate that this is a 'copy and paste' from something which was sent previously (believe it or not, this is very likely!). Providing a bespoke quote takes a lot of time and effort. If one quote seems very cheap, be very wary.
Reviews - Check that the reviews you are reading are valid and have been written recently. Someone who has 5 star reviews for work completed in 2019 may not be working to the same quality now. Look at pictures and QUALITY of the work and ensure that the reviews mention this. Authentic reviews will be specific about items associated with the build and they won't all sound the same.
Insurance - Ensure that your builder has public liability insurance and ask to see it.
Office - Check that your builder has a physical premises. Can you go and meet with your builder?
Materials - Ask your builder about the quality of the materials which are included in your quote. A good quality builder will be happy to share this information with you.
Money Upfront - Don't part with any money before work begins. If you pay a deposit, ensure that you understand the terms of the deposit and that this is clearly stated in your Contract.
Contract - Ensure that you have a valid and legal contract which protects you as well as your builder. Make sure this is signed by you both before work starts.
Speak to Existing Customers - A good quality builder will have a lot of happy customers who are happy to speak to you and ensure the quality you are wanting to achieve
Remember, having work done on your property can be intrusive but it is worth it in the end if you end up with an Excellent Quality Extension.