HOW TO CHOOSE A BUILDER FOR YOUR HOME EXTENSION
Starting out on a journey to extend your property is an exciting time. Whichever part of your home you’re looking to add to, or if you’ve got plans to completely revamp the entire space, the most important decision that you’ll make in order to begin your project is choosing the right builder to work with.
As a reputable team of general contractors in London, We Love Build takes many homeowners through this process; and we’ve picked up a few key takeaways from our customers that have informed the service we provide. Based on this, and to help you to make the right decision, we’re sharing our top tips on choosing the right builder for your home extension.
How should I find a builder for a home extension?
The vision that you’ve got for your new, spacious home extension won’t materialise without the support of an experienced builder or team of wider contractors, but how do you find the right team for the job? We’ve shared our top suggestions below.
Explore online portfolios
If you have a few potential options in mind, take a look at their online portfolios. Many home extension builders will showcase their works online, so you’ll be able to understand their style and the types of projects that they tend to take on. If this aligns with your plans, then this could be an initial ‘green flag’ - just make sure to look for other signs of trust on their website, such as accreditation from key industry experts such as Houzz or Checkatrade (we’ve explained more about this below).
It’s also worth bringing your exact vision into this process. For example, if you’re planning a loft extension, focus on finding examples of this kind of project that different companies have already carried out.
Look for approval from vetted, third-party bodies
Most competent builders will be recognised by third-party vetting websites, or they’ll be members of relevant trading bodies - for example, we’re recognised by Houzz, Trustmark, and the Federation Of Master Builders.
Look at online reviews
When you search ‘home builders near me’, you’ll most likely be swamped with results for companies that are within close proximity to you. Looking beyond this initial list, glance through their customer reviews (if you’re using Google, you’ll be able to find these easily), and take note of the feedback your potential builder receives. Be cautious of paying too much attention to any spammy reviews though - these may not be representative of the actual service provided.
Compare quotes from different companies
Of course, your budget is one of the most important factors for the work you’ve got in mind, so having a selection of different quotes will help you to better assess your options. Many home extension builders will be happy to provide you with this, and we offer a free no obligation quote for all enquiries as we understand how important this is to customers. Having this information from different companies should give you a bit of a ballpark figure for your plans, but we’d definitely recommend approaching pricing carefully.
Your home extension is a long-term investment, and quality should be an important factor in the final decision that you make when it comes to choosing the right builder. Quotes that are noticeably outside of the average figures you’re given should be approached with caution, as they may not result in the long-lasting, enjoyable addition to your home that you’d had in mind.
Word of mouth recommendations
One of the most effective ways to find a trustworthy, reliable home extension builder is to speak to people that you know that have had similar work carried out on their home, as they’ll be able to share their experience with the builder that they chose. Real customer experiences tend to be the most authentic, so this will give you a clear indicator about the quality of the builder you may be considering.
Do I need an architect or a builder for an extension?
While there isn’t a legal requirement for homeowners to seek architectural services for a home extension, having this input can be invaluable in a few fundamental regards. Having architectural input on your home extension will ensure that your plans are feasible in terms of safety and that they’re in accordance with all building regulations; and having this kind of approval from early on means you won’t run into any issues once your project begins.
We work closely with architects as part of our pre-construction services, so we can facilitate this kind of input as part of your project with us.
Whether you’re planning the kitchen extension that you’ve always dreamed of, or if you’re looking to add some practicality with new en-suites, We Love Build is here to help. Find out more about our services, and contact us today to arrange a free design consultation.
