Handing your home over to a builder takes a fair bit of trust. Whether you're planning a loft conversion, a refurbishment or one of the many House Extensions Bristol homeowners are choosing, the person you hire shapes everything from the mess on your driveway to the quality of the finished rooms. These tips will help you choose well, without the stress.

Be Clear on What You Want First

Spend a few minutes sitting down and writing what you are looking for (before you start ringing around. Which rooms? What price range? Is there a deadline? The scribbled notes will help you make your builder conversations much more productive and ensure that all the estimates you receive are apples for apples.

Whether it's drawings, planning or building regulations you require, there are some builders who will do this for you so you won't have to get in touch with everyone else.

Ask for Proof, Not Promises

Everyone can claim they're trustworthy. Request insurance and request confirmation that the team has valid site certification. Estrada Developments is insured and CSCS carded, and we have no problem providing our details every time you request them. A builder that fights you over the essentials shows you the warning signs.

GUARANTEES Work guarantees are important. Find out what they cover, and for how long. Our structural guarantee runs for 10 years, so you can be safe in the knowledge we'll be there long after the scaffolding is gone.

You can also ask how long a firm has been in business, and look up its registration. Honest builders are used to being asked such questions, and have no problem dealing with the questioner.

Look at Real Work and Real Reviews

Completed work photos are helpful but a chat will reveal more. Try to speak with an early customer if you can get hold of one, find out how the contractor handled surprises, whether he tidied up, and take that with a pinch of salt against the range of on line comments.

Compare Companies, Not Just Prices

Don't always go for the low number when you're comparing quotes from work construction companies bristol. Try not to: A price that seems too good to be true could be cutting corners on the work, using cheaper materials, or will end up costing you more money in extras half way through. Compare apples with apples.

All trades are carried out on site ourselves, and your project manager will be assigned from your initial consultation and remain throughout the entire project. Fewer contacts, faster response.

Get a Fixed Price in Writing

A fixed price quote in writing from us removes almost all of the worry from building work. You will know what you are paying for, what is and isn't included and how any variations will be valued. We offer free, no obligation fixed price quotes so you can take your time to compare.

It pays to leave yourself a little bit of room for the unexpected, particularly if you live in an old Bristol home as walls and floors occasionally reveal a little something special.

Have things agreed to in writing before it's done, if there's a change. It's an easy one to do and it stops most discussions around money.

Choose Someone Who Communicates Well

Observe how the builder interacts with you prior to signing. Is he quick to respond? Does he communicate in a manner you can understand? Is he listening? Communication is key throughout a building project, and the quality of a builder's communication style before signing is not much different.