Getting the builders in.

**Lockhouse** · 9 March 2011, 09:31

Never pay in advance and never settle in full until all the rubbish has been cleared away.

**Netraider** · 9 March 2011, 09:37

Agree payment milestones, don't pay for materials in advance.

**amcdonald** · 9 March 2011, 09:43

I thought you'd earnt your velvet wings for a moment

**SueEllen** · 9 March 2011, 09:55

Walk around your neighbourhood and see if anyone else has had their loft converted. The reason for that is there house is likely to be the same or very similar construction to yours so you will know what is and isn't allowed in your area plus the likely result. If they have knock on the door and have a chat with them. ONLY if they allow you to see the conversion and it was done satisfactory ask for information on their builders etc.

That follow all the other advice given.

**TimberWolf** · 9 March 2011, 09:57

Don't know where I got this bookmark from or whether the site is any good:

MyBuilder.com - Find Trusted Builders and Tradesmen

**Pondlife** · 9 March 2011, 10:00

All good so far folks.

Would you go as far as to get a contract drawn up or have anything reviewed by your solicitor? Or would you deem a fixed written quote as acceptable?

**FiveTimes** · 9 March 2011, 10:10

We had a loft conversion about 6 years ago by a specialist company.

We paid 10% deposit and the rest once it was finished and we were happy.

There was a lead time of about 4/5 months.

The company we chose wasn't the cheapest but the most experienced and the payment terms were the best.

There is a lot of cost involved at the start, architect, planning etc.. steels, flooring, scaffolding etc.
Smaller builders can't absorb that cost so will be looking at staged payments.

pm for more details on cost etc..

**Halo Jones** · 9 March 2011, 10:13

I would say a contract is essential: a quote IS NOT a formal contract: what you need to agree with your chosen builder is an employer’s scope of works or a bill of quantities (for you a scope of works based on written documents / drawings will suffice.
You do not need to go to a solicitor there are templates available for what you are doing I would suggest the “JCT Minor Works Building Contract 2005” you can buy these as a template for £30-£40
You can also include a retention policy (you hold 5% of funds until completion & yes you have to sign off & issue a completion notice, at which point you hand over 2.5% after 60or 12 months if you have no defects then you release the final 2.5%
Some builders will run screaming if you suggest a contract (these are the risky ones) you may pay slightly more but you will have greater protection & it would be likely that the builder is somewhat more professional & has quality procedures in place.
If you want to go down the contract route or need help on the JCT ask a friendly QS or PM me ( I have written 17 JCT contracts over the last 3 weeks alone)

**conned tractor** · 9 March 2011, 10:14

Originally posted by SueEllen View Post

Walk around your neighbourhood and see if anyone else has had their loft converted. The reason for that is there house is likely to be the same or very similar construction to yours so you will know what is and isn't allowed in your area plus the likely result. If they have knock on the door and have a chat with them. ONLY if they allow you to see the conversion and it was done satisfactory ask for information on their builders etc.

That follow all the other advice given.

This is good advice...surprisingly from a, er, woman.

Getting the builders in.