There is no denying that finding the right building company to deliver your next big project can be a daunting task indeed. It's a huge decision for many reasons but in a nutshell, making the wrong choice could result in a loss of your valuable time and money, potential property damage and unwanted additional stress for you and your family.
Identifying what is most important to you when it comes to having building work carried out in your home is an essential starting point. Make a checklist which could comprise factors such as a demonstrable level of experience and expertise; quality of finish; accurate time scales for completion; coming in on budget; client communication and more. Then look for evidence of these in the form of testimonials or references.
Research local construction companies by checking their websites and social media channels so you can really get a feel for how a company operates, review their recent customer feedback and take a look at photos of recent work. Ask friends and family about any builders they've worked with and their experience with different contractors, both good and bad.
Choosing the right construction company is far from a five minute job, so keep searching until you find a company that can reliably deliver most, if not all, of the factors that matter the most to you, solidly evidenced by positive feedback from past clients and a quality portfolio of previous projects.
Ensuring the company you ultimately select is a good fit for your building project and personal requirements is crucial if you want to achieve the vision you are dreaming of. So before you make a final decision, how can you ensure that the contractor you choose will be the right builder for the job?
When it comes to sourcing the right contractor for your property project, experience is pretty much top of everyone’s list of requirements. Not just experience in the building industry in general but specifically experience in delivering similar projects to your planned project.
Experience in similar construction projects is truly invaluable because knowledge and skills are acquired and accumulated from project to project. This kind of ‘tried and tested’ collective experience enables contractors to foresee potential problems before they may occur and crucially - how best to remedy any issues quickly and efficiently, making it more likely that costs remain within budget and the work stays on schedule.
A good indicator of a future successful project is past successes, particularly if a prior project is similar to your own. Consider if the company has experience with similar projects, whether that is the renovation of period properties, new construction or internal remodelling, ask to see examples of completed work and for feedback from previous customers.
For evidence of experience and expertise, never be afraid to ask questions about how your project might be carried out, ask for more information about the team and their various skill sets and ask to see a portfolio of prior projects supported by strong testimonials. The right construction company will be more than happy to discuss past projects.
Ask to view previous client testimonials and look for specific mentions of quality, budget and overall customer satisfaction. A good building company will always strive to be open and transparent and offer realistic expectations when it comes to time, budget and also what to expect and when.
An unfortunate truth is that on occasion, things don’t go exactly to plan - particularly with older properties, however adaptability and problem solving are key qualities that come with experience of managing similar projects. When perusing reviews, look for mentions regarding the overall quality of workmanship, team collaboration, and their approach to working through any issues.
A reliable company’s approach to any arising issues and vitally, communication about any overall impact, should ensure any problems are dealt with and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction. As mentioned, testimonials and evidence of a solid team working well together are key indicators of reliability.
Early signs of good communication include a professional and enthusiastic attitude, swift and helpful responses to emails and a specified person to contact for prospective clients.
Most good quality construction firms will also have a specified project lead to liaise with their clients, in order to keep them in the loop regarding project progression and be available to answer any queries/discuss any issues if and when they arise. Keeping this channel of communication clear and consistent is crucial to a smooth-running project and is an important overall factor in maintaining high standards of client satisfaction through to completion.
Getting a quotation in writing is obviously an important next step in the decision-making process, but it goes without saying, the cheapest bid does not always indicate the best. Ensure you understand the finer details of your contract including insurance, terms of the guarantee and any contingency allowances and don't be afraid to ask for clarification.
Other aspects to bear in mind include how will the contractors work around you and your family, what are the site Health & Safety aspects to consider and will the project or build impact on your immediate neighbours? A good building company will be more than happy and prepared to discuss these kinds of general queries and offer examples, information and advice.
Some building companies are also ahead of the curve when it comes to communicating proactively with adjacent homeowners since larger builds or longer-term projects can impact on your neighbours. Considerate and sympathetic noise control, managing deliveries of materials and addressing access concerns can make all the difference when looking to maintain positive neighbour-to-neighbour relationships.
Finding a builder that's a good fit for your specific project is another key consideration, so do some research into local construction companies that specialise in building projects similar to what you are planning. For example, if your home is a stone-built period property does the company have good experience in working with similar older properties and can you ask to see the end results? Did they encounter any issues and how were these addressed?
Another important area to think about is innovation. Is the construction company you are considering experienced in luxury development? Are they moving with the times and using innovative materials and technology to 'future-proof' your home and your investment, allowing you to get the most from your home both now and in the years to come?
For example, do they have proven experience with Smart Home installation; underfloor heating; air conditioning and PIV installation?
A good quality construction business will also work alongside a network of industry professionals with a high level of expertise in various disciplines, for example, established architectural partners, engineers and subcontractors with a specialism in period property feature restoration and renovation.
The best construction companies will offer a bespoke design and build full Turnkey service, which in layman's terms means the entire project is uniquely designed, managed and delivered from quotation all the way through to completion, taking into account any client preferences where possible. However, be wary of any firm that promises to deliver everything single-handedly for a suspiciously low price, as mentioned above, quality builders will work alongside other established professionals.
After some research, careful consideration and contacting local construction companies to ask questions and gather quotes, you'll hopefully be able to make the right choice and take that crucial first step towards making your dream home a reality.
JM Building is a family-run business that believes in transparency, honesty and showing integrity in everything we do. Our defined Customer Journey ensures each project process runs as smoothly as possible because when making a house a home we understand that it is very personal and special to you.
We pride ourselves on what we do and always strive to deliver the highest quality which is why when we undertake any new project it means as much to us as it does to you. It's important for us to keep you informed and bring you along throughout the journey, delivering your vision together.
Please get in touch to speak to us about your building project and for more information on the services we can offer to help you make your house a home.
You can view some of our recent bespoke projects complete with client testimonials here.
For more detailed information about our services or to request a free quote, call us today on 01733 663222
JM Building
Incubator 2
The Boulevard
Enterprise Campus
Huntingdon
PE28 4XA