Finding a Builder

[TheRealHousewifeofCheshire]

Its hard at the best of times isnt it. A little harder for us for reasons I wont bore you with.

I went to the Build It Live show and was referred to an organisation called the Accreditus Register. They credit check builders and can recommend them. But have none in my area.

However the conversation i had today was frustrating and has now put into doubt a decision I was happy with yesterday.

Has anyone ever used this service?

Anyone

I've always used mybuilder or checkatrade. I've found some very good people on here. Make sure you do your due diligence though and go with your gut feeling.

Ive done as much due diligence as I can. What do you mean by due dilligience. Im not sure i unnecessarily trust Check a trade etc. Its not you finding a builder its them finding you etc. It really doesnt to me mean they're more reliable.

The builder I have found seems fine. And the sites like check a trade etc are apparently based on the Accredotus register (although it works a bit differently) . So i feel i have hit a stumbling point.

I wish i personally knew some builders in this area

I asked what you meant by DD incase ive missed something. Its so hard isnt it. Thank you for your response 😁

Anyone doing any work in your area, preferably similar to yours?

Any sites that you like the look of - tidy, obviously safe, considerate parking, clean vans and cared for tools, orderly build showing clear progress?

Take the name of the company from their vans, and call them. Say that you saw they were doing work at X, you are doing similar, would they be interested in quoting and can you speak to the people whose work they are doing at the moment and a couple of other recent clients?

We found an excellent builder via this route - we knew he did work on similar houses to ours because we saw it. Always helpful if they live very locally to you, too... as the builder - who we have used on and off over a decade - says 'well, if there's anything you're not happy with, you know where I live, just get in touch'.

If you've found a builder and he seems fine, why not ask him if you can talk to his previous clients? Then you could get personal recommendations. We had our roof done by a local company, they brought in a painter and decorator to make good a ceiling. That was 5 years ago, since then the painter and decorator and his building mates have completed an extension and are in the process of converting a barn on our property. So personal recommendation is the best.

I know nobody who has had building wprk done locally. Ive asked everyone I know for recommendations and havent got anywhere.
Ive tried looking for houses with work being done. There arent any.
I have called the builder and im going to go to his current site next week and a completed site though i know to be more careful with completed ones.

I think he is ok but accreditus put me off.

Ive driven round looking for builders doing work and kept my eyes open theres nothing about really