Suggestions for a Great Home Renovation and Dealing with Contractors
Whether you are renovating an existing house or building a new one, it is always exciting to watch the builders and their equipment arrive – not to mention seeing the new developments, improvements and features being added to your property.
Bear in mind however that the process can go wrong, particularly if you choose the wrong contractors. Getting the wrong contractors can cost you money, cause plenty of stress or even result in a house that collapses later.
Use our checklist below to ensure your building project delivers the great results you were expecting:
Find a builder who knows his business.
Builders registered with the Master Builders Association (MBA) are held to strict codes of conduct and must meet stringent quality guidelines. Use the MBA website to identify whether your builder is a member of this professional standards organisation.
Ensure workmanship is up to scratch.
You are likely to encounter the National Home Builders Registration Council on a new home build because this organisation is responsible for inspecting houses at critical stages of construction. Verify that your builder is a member by phoning the NHBR, as the industry is rife with operators who might falsely claim membership.
Ask about previous work done.
Ask the builder for references and follow up with those references including, if possible, site visits to see previous work done.
Do they look after their workforce?
Other things to consider include asking if the builder has workman’s compensation in place to protect its staff and business insurance such as public liability or goods in transit cover that could safeguard the survival of the business and ultimately ensure after-sales service for your project.
All of the above are signs that you are dealing with an operation that takes itself seriously, and that if something does go wrong, standardised procedures such as mediation and dispute resolutions will ensure that issues are resolved fairly.
It is wise to discuss your renovation plans with your insurer! Some building projects might mean that the alarm system is deactivated for certain periods—share this information with your insurer to ensure that your cover is maintained.
At the end of the building project, do not forget that you have added to the value of your property; contact your insurer to adjust your home and buildings insurance cover accordingly.
Live your way and get an insurance quote for your home or building today!