Home on the Range Part 2

<h1>Home on the Range Part 2</h1>Author: <a title="J Tillotson" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/j-tillotson/38681.htm">J Tillotson</a> How can you avoid the cowboys when you're looking to get work done on your home? Part 1 covered finding a reputable building firm and part 2 will show you how to ensure you get the best work done for your money. You'll need to get quotes from at least 3 building firms, so to make sure they're like-for-like it's best to draw up a work brief. Detail exactly what work you want carried out, and include any deadlines if necessary (e.g. must be done by Christmas).Give a copy to each of the firms you've chosen, and ask for an overall quote. Some builders quote separately for labour and materials, so ask them to specify if this is the case. Once you have your quotes, ask for references from the one you have chosen. You may want to see examples of other work they've done in the area, and talk to the homeowners to see what their experiences and opinions of the builders were. If this is all satisfactory, meet with the builders to discuss terms, conditions and payment. This is a good opportunity to see if you get along with them; they'll be in your life for some time so you need to make sure you like them! A good builder will have public liability insurance, which will cover damages not only to your home, but also any surrounding property, as well as injuries to you, guests or even passers-by. They should also offer a guarantee with their work. Finally, agree on a payment method for the work. Try to avoid paying the whole cost upfront; most builders will ask for instalments as the work progresses, so ask for a reasonable estimate as to the amounts. It's worth paying a retention fee too; this means withholding the final payment until a month after completion of work. This will give you time to discover faults, if any, and give the builder an incentive to set them right. Remember to inform your <a href="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/home/">house insurance</a> provider of any work you're having done. You could send them a copy of the work brief if you like. Failing to do so will invalidate any subsequent claims on your <a href="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/home/">buildings insurance</a> or even your <a href="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/home/">contents insurance</a>.About the Author: J Tillotson is a UK author specialising in finance, energy and communicationsArticle Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/home-on-the-range-part-2-678407.html" title="Home on the Range Part 2">Home on the Range Part 2</a>

How can you avoid the cowboys when you're looking to get work done on your home? Part 1 covered finding a reputable building firm and part 2 will show you how to ensure you get the best work done for your money.

You'll need to get quotes from at least 3 building firms, so to make sure they're like-for-like it's best to draw up a work brief. Detail exactly what work you want carried out, and include any deadlines if necessary (e.g. must be done by Christmas).Give a copy to each of the firms you've chosen, and ask for an overall quote. Some builders quote separately for labour and materials, so ask them to specify if this is the case.

Once you have your quotes, ask for references from the one you have chosen. You may want to see examples of other work they've done in the area, and talk to the homeowners to see what their experiences and opinions of the builders were.

If this is all satisfactory, meet with the builders to discuss terms, conditions and payment. This is a good opportunity to see if you get along with them; they'll be in your life for some time so you need to make sure you like them!

A good builder will have public liability insurance, which will cover damages not only to your home, but also any surrounding property, as well as injuries to you, guests or even passers-by. They should also offer a guarantee with their work.

Finally, agree on a payment method for the work. Try to avoid paying the whole cost upfront; most builders will ask for instalments as the work progresses, so ask for a reasonable estimate as to the amounts. It's worth paying a retention fee too; this means withholding the final payment until a month after completion of work. This will give you time to discover faults, if any, and give the builder an incentive to set them right.

Remember to inform your house insurance provider of any work you're having done. You could send them a copy of the work brief if you like. Failing to do so will invalidate any subsequent claims on your buildings insurance or even your contents insurance.

J Tillotson is a UK author specialising in finance, energy and communications

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