Anyone who has had a loft conversion/extension..

[LittleRen]

Hi - anyone who has had a loft conversion or extension done by a building company/contractor, did you get a building contract drawn up?

We have the architect working on the plans now and the loft company we have chosen ready to go when they have a slot. My dad mentioned building contracts and asked if will we be drawing one up to detail what happens if any problems happen, what happens if it’s not finished etc etc. This is something we hadn’t thought of and my architect said most don’t bother.

Is this common practice or not and should we be pushing for a contract from the loft company? We have a written quote with payment stages stated.

The company is well known in the local area with a good reputation and we know some excellent joiners who are also friends and hey do work for this loft company and have said they are very good, so I just assumed we would be ok.

Do we need this backup?!

Our loft company gave us a contract for us and them to sign, before they began the works. Yours probably will too given it seems to be a reputable well-run company.

Thanks @loftylou we will mention it to them at our next meeting. Just not sure what is the norm with these things!!

Ours gave us a contract - it covers both parties so in their best interest. Should also set out a schedule for payment - ie. 25% end of first week, 25% end of 3rd week, 25% end of fifth week & monies remaining on completion. They should also have insurance.

We lost a lot of money on a building project, even with a contract in place, because our builder went bust. However, had there been any money we would have had recourse to claim back what we’d lost.
I’d definitely have a contract.