How to find a reliable builder in West London?!

[TadlowDogIncident]

Can anyone recommend a reliable builder in the West London area? We're about to move to Ealing and will want some work done more or less straight away on the house we're buying - recommendations gratefully received. (We've used Rated People to find builders in the past but have had mixed results: I don't know who all the builders are who are desperate for work, because they don't seem to be looking for it on there.)

Hello Tadlow. I know an extremely good and reliable builder who lives in Brentford, very near to Ealing. His wife is a good friend of mine. I've known them for about 15 years. Let me know if you're interested and I'll pm you his details.

Definitely interested, thanks very much, elacs. I'm not quite sure when we'll need him - we're about to exchange contracts - but it would be great to have his details.

I am based in Maida Vale. A company called Tiptoe Builders has been recommended to me several times in my area. Came to do a quote and the guy was v professional and gave me a detailed quotation. We just moved into our flat and I want it fully decorated and new floor put in. I have been quoted 12-14k by 2 companies which is too expensive for me. Dont bother with ratedpeople or mybuilder. I used the latter twice and was not impressed with the tradesmen.

I also know a good builder - he works in the West and South West London area. Does extensions, lofts, gardens, drives etc. Came to me with good references and I was pleased with the extension he did for me.

We had a brilliant builder when we lived in West London. His name's Des Bowe - he seems to have a website now, here

This is a good few years ago now and sadly we moved too far away to keep using him, though we would have done so like a shot if it had been possible. He was a real gem, lovely guy and utterly reliable and conscientious. He was nearer Chiswick than Ealing but that's not a million miles away from you.

Don't use Pimlico Plumbers or Aspect Maintenance.

They are number 1 and 2 in terms of size in London and considered the 'gold standard' of builders here, but I've just won a legal action against the latter (finding out they had totally inadequate public liability provision in the process); and I have been ripped off and let down regularly by the former (my insurance company specified them - probably because of retainer agreements or some such).

Ratedpeople, Problemsolved and Mybuilder are full of fake reviews, no doubt left by friends of the builders and trades - it's very difficult to get lucky with someone good. It's certainly a truism, in London at least, that good builders don't advertise. Certainly don't use anyone putting a flyer through your door.

I'm afraid word-of-mouth is really the only way. I don't just ask friends - I drive around watching building projects in my neighbourhood, and ask the neighbour for feedback once they're completed. Architects are also a good source of builders, even if you're just phoning around and have no plans to engage an architect.

In the recent past I've been impressed by Frank Neale in Shepherd's Bush and Ark Construction in Wembley, but note that they are expensive and - no matter how much you pay - even the best builder only really gets an 8/10 or so. The sums of money involved are so huge and the expectations so great that you will never really feel truly positive about your builder, no matter how successful the end result.

Thomas you are right about an 8/10 being about the best you can realistically give. Sums of money are huge and there are always so many unknowns - we hit real problems which could not have been predicted but the builder worked with me to sort them out. The results are not perfect but I realise that my expectatoins were v high bearing in mind my budget. For me the really important thing, (along with competence of course), is being able to talk to someone who treated me with respect at all times - then things can always be sorted out.

Interesting to hear what you say about the other two firms. Not surprised.

I've never used Pimlico Plumbers, but couldn't agree more about Aspect - I got as far as threatening to take them to court once (they backed down and paid up).

Anyone recommend a plumber in this area?

My husband's a builder and I'd obviously be more than happy to recommend him! Not sure if that's allowed though so I won't give his name on here, but happy to supply his details - or answer questions myself - if you'd like to pm me.

As for a plumber, I'd be really happy to recommend Heywood Heating, based in Hanwell. Even though my hubby's a builder he's had his fair share of problems with plumbers over the years (I thought being in the business would have put a stop to all that nonsense but apparently not), but since meeting Dan from Heywood Heating his plumbing worries have been non-existent and he's since used him on all of his projects. Been a lifesaver to be honest (a stress-free husband makes for a happy wife ).

I have a friend who has been defrauded of funds by a builder from Chelsea. His name is Theo. His business is rmt Ltd. He took the cash and did a runner while she was pregnant half way through the job and left her homeless. Be warned please.

Does anyone know a good builder/building company in the fulham area? We have had a few quotes and they have been sky high. Others say they're going to come yogi E a quote and are so unreliable. It doesn't matter if the builder/company is coming from a little west.

We are looking to get out whole flat renovated so need carpentry and bathroom redo as well as complete internal decorating.

Any advice would've much appreciated. Thanks

I know a few Fulham builders - I'll PM you some details. Is any structural work involved? If not, given Fulham prices, you may find it more cost effective using separate trades.

Hi SarahSea1,

That would be really helpful. I'll PM you.

My friends builder husband did a loft conversion for me, very reasonable price and he recycled loads of materials. I'm very happy with the job he did. He did it without scaffolding and saved me thousands. He's done loads of work in this area Hammersmith and came highly recommended.

I'd be happy to give you his number if you're not sorted out already?

hi supersoftcuddlytoys, i'd be interested in his number please - i can't seem to PM you?

We can surely tell you to absolutely avoid MK Builtit, Martin K. the contractor is highly incompetent, unprofessional and without any clue of how to manage a project.
He will constantly come up with extra work, non-agreed work, that he will carry without your instruction and will charge a huge amount of money for. He will be in breach of his own contract at all times but will be very assertive and very disrespectful to you. He will send you an invoice on Friday evening 10pm and will ask to be paid for the day after. He barely understands English (or maybe only what he's happy to understand). The typical bad and unscrupulous builder. He will constantly come up with problems that you, the client, will have to sort out. He will never help, support or recommend anything to you (or when he's done it, it ended up being a wrong advise). He will expect you to know everything in carpentry, plumbing, electricity as he doesn't tell you what to buy but expects you to provide, hinges, glue, some technical plumbing items and so on. The worst builder ever. To avoid absolutely. You will fall sick, get stressed and pull your hair, as we did.

Hello,

I''m looking for a plumber in the Ealing area that could do my boiler service and some little works in the bathroom.

Any advise? Company to contact or to avoid?

Thank you!

Hi Candy,

I have a plumber we always use for boiler works and he is very reliable.

As I know he is based in Ealing so let me know if you still need somebody. They also do bathroom refurbishments as I know. :)

Hi all,

Anyone know reliable builders who based in south London or Wallington can recommend to us, we need to change the kitchen and some other interior works.

Many thanks.

I have used Which Trusted Traders website for finding tradespeople.

Hi,

My sister lives in South London and the best quote she got for kitchen works was from a small refurbishment specialist company. She also checked a few reference jobs from them and just decided to hire them. I can send you in PM the email to request a quote from them :)

Please do, FlatLover34.

Many thanks.