How do you assess a builder?

[JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome]

I want some building work done, initially to refit my utility room but this includes removing a window that currently opens onto the side access to my house and replaying it with a door so we can come through the utility room with the dog when he is muddy.

I am new to the area and haven't been able to get a builder personally recommended. I have posted on a local forum and have some people to contact but how on earth do I determine if they are any good? Someone rather unhelpfully suggested that if they were available now to do work they weren't any good as everyone who is any good is booked up months in advance.....feeling apprehensive about this.

Bump, would be great to know

It's a minefield. You really need a personal recommendation from someone you trust. Don't be fooled by online reviews (trust a trader etc) as they are often a poor indicator of quality.

Are there any neighbours having work done at the moment? Can you knock and ask?

You will probably have to wait for a good contractor as they are all booked up way in advance. (We've had to wait 8 months.)

Someone rather unhelpfully suggested that if they were available now to do work they weren't any good as everyone who is any good is booked up months in advance

I don’t think that’s unhelpful, I think it’s truthful.

Did you move from far away? Most joiners/ tradesmen would travel for work. So if you could get recommendations from further afield you might have more luck?

The thing is though it seems like the good ones only want to do really big jobs....so I want a utility room and an external door fitting, not a huge job, I may want a bathroom done off the back of this. I have a guy coming round this evening who says he can start in October but do I discount him just because he is available?

@JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome
Depends how long the job would take. Like if they were fitting it into 2/3 days then I wouldn’t be worried, they could be slotting it around fitting a kitchen or something. But if it was 1 week + I’d probably be more apprehensive.
Go with your gut tho, if you get a good feeling from them that’s important too.

It is a minefield I agree. We are going to need two new bathrooms soon and potentially turn our conservatory into an actual room. I will be asking around the neighbourhood , as in local houses where I've seen builders doing work. I might seem a bit weird knocking on doors but that's literally what I'm going to do - too many cowboys out there!

Have you tried website Nextdoor for your local area and asked for recommendations. I’ve found it really helpful with local tradespeople, and people are not afraid to give bad reviews as well.

Drive round your local area, builders usually have signage up with their number/website on. If you spot the same sign a few times it’s a positive!
Or join the local Facebook group and ask for recommendations. Word of mouth is usually the absolute best way to go really.

With great difficulty, to be honest! I have had good success with using check a trade or other similar sites where at least you can see reviews of the builders. Otherwise I think you generally need to go off impressions of them/gut feel, I am always a bit off put by anyone that's too pushy or immediately available, wants you to book the work on the spot etc yes, but equally I don't think someone that's disinterested in the work and isn't available for months either is what you want (one problem everyone comes up against with almost all building projects is builders saying the job is too small for them to bother with, this includes everything from large extensions downwards so don't be too perturbed).

My ideal builder, if such a creature exists, is one that seems organised and in control of his admin and diary (some of them have their wives or partners running the 'office' side which seems to work well), comes to quote promptly (run a mile from anyone prepared to take on the work without looking at it first), sends you a good itemised quote breaking down costs of materials and labour, is realistic about timescales and costs (anyone offering to do it suspiciously cheap or quick is likely at best incompetent at worst dishonest), can provide testimionials/references from other similar clients, or has reviews on trustedtrader or similar, warns you appropriately about anything which will make the job harder/more expensive/longer, without making up bullsh*t (oh dear mrs X have you noticed your flimilflambble is rotten, that'll be £10k to replace, i'd better do it urgently or the house will fall down etc). Anyone that seems flaky from the outset (turning up at odd times to quote or not coming when they say they will) or starts being pushy about wanting to add costs or cut corners gets a form no from me (doubtless I have lost out on good people this way but I take a risk averse approach).

I'd start here.

www.checkatrade.com

@JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome

The thing is though it seems like the good ones only want to do really big jobs....so I want a utility room and an external door fitting, not a huge job, I may want a bathroom done off the back of this. I have a guy coming round this evening who says he can start in October but do I discount him just because he is available?

Well he's not really available though is he ? - He's coming round in the evening do do a quote which is v common and can't start till October (approx 6 weeks). This is reasonable but still doesnt mean he's any good.....so realise still doesn't answer your original question !

Ask him if he has another other jobs locally that you can contact the people he worked for and get recommendations?

Do you not have a local Facebook group where you can ask for recommendations?

So I have asked on Next Door and that is how I have found the guy who is coming round later. He said he is doing a similar job to what I would like and said he can provide references so I am hoping I could go and see what he has worked on at the moment (although just don't know with Covid still how happy people are with strangers going round to their house). I will see how he comes across later.