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The FMB provide articles for the Clients that do help.

• Secret to the perfect relationship with your builder
• Getting the best from your builder

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Articles

 The FMB reveals the secret to a perfect relationship with your builder
Date: 18/05/06

Corrine Sweet
It’s easy to point the finger at your builder when a project looks like it’s going wrong, but according to the latest research from the Federation of Master Builders, most building projects succeed or fail on the strength of the relationship between builder and customer, and key to that relationship is good communication.

It’s no surprise that customers want the job to finish on budget and builders want to be paid on time. Money aside, it seems that the most important attribute of a good builder, according to a staggering 83% of customers, is one who turns up on time.

What was more surprising was the number of builders who expressed disappointment at not being thanked. So one simple way to keep your builder happy is to thank them – something you can forget when living with the upheaval of a building project.

"UK builders have had a hard time of it recently – with tabloid stories about ‘cowboy’ builders out to make a fast buck damaging the reputation of the industry", says Richard Diment, director general of the FMB. "This can mean homeowners are oftem more wary of their builders than ever before."

The FMB advise that hiring a builder is the most important choice in a building project and one, which should not be taken lightly. Take time to understand what you and your builder expect from each other and you’ll be on your way to a great relationship.

"Our latest research reveals that most of the problems that arise during building projects are caused by a breakdown in communication and a lack of understanding between clients and builders," says Diment. "Every year we run the Master Builder of the Year awards – the FMB’s nationwide search for Britain’s best builder, as nominated by a satisfied customer. Last year we had over 1,000 entries from delighted homeowners whose relationships had worked, because the customers realised that it’s not just down to builders to make a building project successful.

"Thanks to good communication and mutual respect from the outset, not only did the customers and builders establish a good working relationship, many became firm friends too," continues Diment. “Customers told us about builders who had carried in their shopping, collected their children from school in emergencies, fed their pigs, kept quiet during children’s hours of sleep and rescued customers when their car had broken down."

Psychologist Corinne Sweet, says that trust and honesty are key to a good relationship. "Many people’s houses are a projection of themselves and customers can feel very defensive when letting strangers into their homes. Like any relationship it’s important to have an understanding of how both parties tick, so you can work around each other and fit into each other’s lives."

"The FMB research shows that simply being thanked and having their work appreciated by a customers is an important part of the building relationship, as is being paid on time," explains Corinne.

Follow the FMB’s top tips to a perfect relationship with your builder:

Check them out
You must make sure you trust your builder and that you both understand how you will work together, to be sure you are a good match.

Use a contract
Draw up a written contract, with an agreed timetable that both you and the builder are happy with.

Be realistic
Builder’s aren’t mind readers, so if your project is not going to plan you must spell it out, explain what you want, and discuss the options.

Keep talking
Good communication is essential. If you want to make changes during the job, ensure that you understand any implications they may have to avoid a shock at the end.

Be available
Make sure you let you builder know when you will be around in case they need you to make any quick decisions. If you go out, provide contact numbers.

Just ask
If you don’t understand building jargon just ask – this will ensure there are no nasty surprises and you know what to expect.

Pay promptly
Set out a timetable for how and when payment will take place throughout the project, so that you can plan ahead. When you get to each stage, check you are happy with the work and pay promptly.

Check them out
Do your research. A building firm could be in your home for several weeks, so it is important that you trust them. Get references, which a good professional will be happy to provide, and check them out. If the builder claims to be a member of a trade association such as the FMB, check what that membership means and find out if they really are members. Scrutinise their credentials before going ahead. Don’t just rely on Yellow Pages, search for a vetted local builder at the FMB’s website, www.findabuilder.co.uk.

Get a quote
You need several detailed written quotes and not just "It'll cost around £10,000". A good builder would prefer this anyway; it gives them time to really think about the job and what it will entail.

Eager legals
Be aware of the legal requirements you must fulfill when having major improvements done. This is not up to the builder, unless you specifically ask him to do it. The work may require Building Regulations approval as well as planning permission, which can be a lengthy and complicated process – your local council will advise you.

Draw up a contract
As 'project manager' you need to ensure that you know what you want and how you are going to get there. For example, what type of shower or boiler do you want? The cost of the product and installation may vary a great deal depending on the system chosen. A contract is a 100% necessity on every job to prevent misunderstandings, Draw up a written contract, with an agreed timetable that both you and the builder are happy with. The FMB has standard contracts for use by anyone using its recommended builders in “Crystal Mark approved” plain English.

Think about insurance
Extending your home may cost tens of thousands of pounds, so it’s worth protecting your investment. The MasterBond warranty provides cover against faulty workmanship or materials for up to two years and against structural defects for 10 years. Should you move during that time, the insurance stays with the property and is passed on to the new owners. Find out more in the FMB’s “Essential Guide to Improving Your Home”. For a free copy call 08000 152 522 or log on to www.findabuilder.co.uk.

Keep talking
Help your builder to understand the look you are going for by showing them magazine pictures of similar projects. Make sure you fully understand every step of the building process and don’t let jargon put you off. A professional builder should explain things clearly to ensure that there are no nasty surprises! If you’re unhappy about the work, talk to your builder immediately. Most things can be amended before they are finished.

Monitoring the job
Keep tabs on how the job is going; if it's complicated arrange a regular half-hour with your builder on agreed days. If you have personal requirements, such as no radios or smoking, or you’d rather not share your toilet or kitchen facilities, make sure that these are known before the job begins, but bear in mind that having happy workers may help achieve a successful outcome, so try to compromise.

Always discuss how the builder's rubble will be disposed of, and when.

Finally, you don't necessarily want to be walking to and from the kettle all day. One solution is to set up a small area near the worksite with tea and coffee-making facilities that builders can use without going into your kitchen.

Dealing with problems
If you do encounter difficulties mid-build:

Be realistic - Builders aren’t mind readers, so if your project is not going to plan you must spell it out and explain what you do want.
Talk to the ‘main person’ - Telling sub-contractors to change things mid-construction will not only cause problems within the team but also confuse everyone as to what it is you really want.
Contact the FMB - If you still can’t resolve matters with your builder and they are an FMB member, the FMB service includes advising customers and working with both parties to reach a solution.

Building Your Own Home
Date: 14/09/07

Many builders find it easier to build a new home, than renovate an older property, as there are fewer unknowns, more definite costs and fewer distractions such as homeowners living in the house! However for homeowners a complete self-build project is usually far more complicated.

"I would only build new houses, if I could, but self-build plots are few and far between," says FMB Master Builder of the Year Awards 2006 regional winner Jim Paton of Waterford Builders, based in the stockbroker belt of Billericay in Essex.

"Building a house from scratch is so much easier than a renovation. Once you price the job, it stays on budget because there are no unknowns and it's so much easier to plan.

"You also don't have people living in the house at the same time, which adds extra pressure. With a new build, provided that the groundwork and planning go well, you can give your client a finish date and an end budget that are spot on," Jim added.

For the homeowner, a complete self-build project starts with finding a plot, organising a self-build mortgage and securing planning permission. Careful choice of architect, builder and tradespeople is crucial, as is making sure you have insurance, warranties and that you are eligible to claim the tax back. Then the work begins….

We talked to three self-builders who highlighted important factors in the success of their projects:

Good organisation and courteous, flexible builders

Mr Lumby identified good organisation as key to the success of his stunning, nautically-themed three bedroom home in an area of outstanding natural beauty overlooking a creek near Truro in Cornwall.

The construction of his 'ship-like' home required a great deal of organisation and difficult structural decisions.

Mr Lumby chose his building firm MJR Construction, carefully and was delighted with the results. He praised them for their standards of workmanship, for customer care from each member of the team, from foreman to apprentice, and for their ability to respond to each day's problems. He said: "The design for an individual property on a steeply sloping creekside position needed a great deal of organisation and posed difficult structural decisions. All this was achieved with humour, courtesy and quiet efficient professionalism."

Getting good advice

David Rammell chose Birmingham building firm Ansam Construction Ltd, of Bromsgrove, to build a stunning detached Georgian-style property in Worcester for his family.

Once he had hired his builders, David looked to them for guidance and advice in all aspects of the building project - from design to materials.

He said: "We developed a good relationship with Ansam from our very first meeting, which filled us with trust and confidence in their ability and knowledge. Their help, guidance and advice, along with their attention to detail and finish made our dream home real."

Good diplomacy skills

Careful handling of dealings with neighbours, particularly in busy towns and cities, can mean the difference between getting the home you want and a severe compromise.

Mario Savva wanted an unusual, but magnificent, five bedroom family home built in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, with large areas of structural glazing to allow light to flood in.

He said his London building firm, JPF Clarke of Crouch End not only did outstanding work on an unusual contemporary home, but were also extremely diplomatic in dealings with the neighbours.