House Extension - Meet the Builder

pepperds

Hi,

we are about to give the go-ahead to a builder whom we were highly recommended, have met him a few times and seen his work. This may seem like a stupid question but when I meet him this week to discuss the finer points of the work, should I be insisting on a contract which details payment schedules, timeframes and other matters?

Many thanks for any advice available

DP

secman

Read the "Malicious Builder " forum and this will open your eyes big time

Kashkai

1st thing you do is get a competent Engineer on your side and then you meet with the builder. Unless you know what you're talking about vis-a-vis the construction process, the wool will be drawn over your eyes while the hand is dipped into your pocket.

A good Engineer, will save you much heartache and grief and will deal with the problems that will arise, no matter how good the builder.

A builder will respect and listen to a good Engineer but will try to run roughshod over the average Joe Soap.

Notice how I keep mentioning "a good Engineer" as there are a lot of lazy incompetents out there who will take your money but give poor service.

Finally, no matter how recommended the builder is, he needs to be watched like a hawk or he'll cut corners.

Then again, maybe you have found "The One" - the builder who is a decent human being and won't try to do you.

And yes I'm a cynical ba$tard but I've got reason to be.:mad:

Very best of luck to you and anyone taking on a builder.

wornout

Hear Hear I Absolutely Agree,i Did'nt Use An Engineer Either,an Absolute Disaster Ensued.don't Even Consider Not Using Somebody Competent But Most Of All Qualified!
Best Of Luck With It

muffler

wornout wrote:

Hear Hear I Absolutely Agree,i Did'nt Use An Engineer Either,an Absolute Disaster Ensued.don't Even Consider Not Using Somebody Competent But Most Of All Qualified!
Best Of Luck With It

Your post is a bit difficult to understand as you are using a capital letter at the beginning of each word.

muffler

pepperds wrote:

Hi,

we are about to give the go-ahead to a builder whom we were highly recommended, have met him a few times and seen his work. This may seem like a stupid question but when I meet him this week to discuss the finer points of the work, should I be insisting on a contract which details payment schedules, timeframes and other matters?

Many thanks for any advice available

DP

Read through prosperous dave's thread here and particularly his post today together with his post above and you will have all your answers

wornout

oops sorry caps lock on,still haven,t mastered a keyboard!

squarecon

There are more and more Project Managers out there now. An engineer/architect while qualified, some of them only know their trade. A project manager knows as much with out the qualifications but he is also able to keep a hold of your engineer/architect as these can be as bad as a rogue builder (sometime!) Your PM can also keep a tight rein on budget and duration

smashey

squarecon wrote:

There are more and more Project Managers out there now. An engineer/architect while qualified, some of them only know their trade. A project manager knows as much with out the qualifications but he is also able to keep a hold of your engineer/architect as these can be as bad as a rogue builder (sometime!) Your PM can also keep a tight rein on budget and duration

Why do I get the feeling you are a project manager? Personally, I don't think a project manager would be required here. Architect/Engineer will do.

squarecon

Well I'm sure Sherlock wouldn't be that quick! But I do stand by my statement. Every commerical job has a PM on board and I know economies of scale apply here but your PM can be looking after your project in conjunction with other projects he is undertaking.
Only my opinion though!!
Oh and I am an engineer also

muffler

squarecon wrote:

Oh and I am an engineer also

You have a low level of belief in your abilities if you think that the user needs a project manager. Yeah I agree for larger projects a manager is very beneficial if not essential but in this instance any auld engineer* would do


Joke by the way

squarecon

I know, being a PM and an engineer is as close to Schizophrenia in work as you can get.
(Neither of us mean any offence by the way)

smashey

squarecon wrote:

I know, being a PM and an engineer is as close to Schizophrenia in work as you can get.
(Neither of us mean any offence by the way)

Double accounts usually mean a site ban.