There is, as a famous young actress once said, no place like home. Of all the things we own, our homes are the possessions we treasure the most. That, combined with the great expense of building makes us fret severely when considering substantial building works to our homes. Consequently, we have a fear or mistrust of builders.
It needn't be that stressful, as long as the right approach is taken and the project is managed by you all the way through to the end. But first you need to be certain of what your plans are.
Finding an approved or recommended architect can be just as important as finding good builders. Bear in mind that these plans may need to be passed by the relevant authorities before work commences. It also helps for the sake of clarity is discussing work to obtain the 3 quotes you should obtain in order to make a decision.
Its good to get references or even better, a personal recommendation, but be sure to see an example of the work that has been carried out and talk to owners where works has been done. Make sure quotes detail the work that is to be carried out. There will always be a trade off between quality and price, so build this into the equation when making your choice.
Agreeing on start and finish dates are important, but beware of those who say they can start straight away, perhaps they are not in demand for a reason. Its always best to avoid paying up front and not paying a deposit if possible. Staged payments may be agreed through a contract, in which case be sure of receiving receipts and holding back a retention fee to ensure the job is completed to your satisfaction.
On a final note, be careful about paying cash in hand for any size of job. This could become a nightmare if a dispute develops. Observing these general rules will ensure a happy relationship with your builders and keep your stresses to a minimum.