checks when hiring a contractor

bp_maher

folks, we're building a kitchen extension, and have narrowed our search to 2 builders. The differance between them in quotes is €15K .. we've had a look at their work as well and all seems ok. Both come highly recommended. Short of asking the builder how he can charge €15K less than most, are there any further checks I can do to ensure that we are picking the right contractor?

mr_edge_to_you

when we were choosing our builder our decision was easy because our contractor was about 40k cheaper than the next preferred contractor. when we first met the contractor we went with we knew immediately that it was someone who would work with us (not just for us!). it was an energetic vibe that no other contractor gave us. seemed to have been the most professional.

its a tough call but if i was looking at a difference of 15k on an extension i'd be inclined to go with the cheaper offer especially as who have already said that he appears to be as good as the other.

i can't see how more expensive materials on a kitchen extension could lead to a 15k difference. i'm sure someone will disagree.

A Country Voice

I would say that references from previous jobs are a must. If the guy thats 15k cheaper has a good few happy previous clients then go for it. Dont ever select a contractor without checking past work, and talking to past clients. I'm sure you've probably done this already though.
A Country Voice

sinnerboy

Ask to speak to his plumber and electrician now and ask them for references too

Birds of a feather flock together - in other words a good builder will tend to use the same subbies over and over . Having said that .... the same is true of bad builders

Point is - it is a further level of checking to make

bp_maher

Thanks for the replies, we've met prev. client for each and viewed their work as well, I guess it comes down to the price differance. I was told by the contractor that as this was not a regulated industry we could not get any other guarantees except a "company guarantee", I was looking for something like the home bond guarantee.
Good suggestion about the plumber & electrician, I'll give that a shot too

sydthebeat

bp_maher wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, we've met prev. client for each and viewed their work as well, I guess it comes down to the price differance. I was told by the contractor that as this was not a regulated industry we could not get any other guarantees except a "company guarantee", I was looking for something like the home bond guarantee.
Good suggestion about the plumber & electrician, I'll give that a shot too

you cannot get Homebond insurance 'guarantee's for extensions. Its for new builds only. AFAIK this is also the same for Premier.

The only real guarantee of quality you can get is to get a full construction package prepared and get a suitably qualified professional such as an architect, an architectural technician or an engineer to inspect the work on a regular (weekly) basis to check compliance with construction package, best practise and regulatory requirements.

The builder is correct. It is not a regulated industry. Anybody at all can call themselves a builder, all they need is a mobile phone and a hilux....

bp_maher

That's right, he did say that the Home Bond guarantee was for new builds only. We've asked for a structural engineer certification as well