Builder - Industry Standards

themandan6611

When selecting a builder (for a kitchen extension) are there any industry recognised membership that you should check that they are registered with ?

sydthebeat

unfortunately and disgracefully, no.

all you need in ireland to set up as a 'builder' is a 4x4 and a mobile phone :rolleyes:


Best thing to do is to ask friends / relatives for recommendations of good builders they have previous direct experience with.
Next best thing to do is to have a detailed set of instructions for the builder to price and build from.
And the next best thing to do is to have an independent professional inspect the work to make sure its done to regulations and best workmanship.

martinn123

sydthebeat wrote: »

unfortunately and disgracefully, no.

all you need in ireland to set up as a 'builder' is a 4x4 and a mobile phone :rolleyes:

Sadly true, some of the better ones, also have, an office, lists of Satisfied Customers, VAT registration, Tax Clearance Certs, Public Liability Insurance, and even a land-line.

beyondpassive

themandan6611 wrote: »

When selecting a builder (for a kitchen extension) are there any industry recognised membership that you should check that they are registered with ?

'Liquidity', its a very exclusive club now, not many members. :-)
It important to check if your builder has enough cash to pay for the works up until your professional certifies each stage as being complete. This can be up to €30k for some extensions. Builders can carry a debt from one job to another, promising their trades, that the next job will be the pay day. Important to check that your builder has been paid for his last jobs and has money in the bank.

martinn123

beyondpassive wrote: »

'Liquidity', its a very exclusive club now, not many members. :-)
It important to check if your builder has enough cash to pay for the works up until your professional certifies each stage as being complete. This can be up to €30k for some extensions. Builders can carry a debt from one job to another, promising their trades, that the next job will be the pay day. Important to check that your builder has been paid for his last jobs and has money in the bank.

Not sure how realistic that post is.It assumes a builder is willing to share the details of his Bank Account with a potential client, plus his P/L and Balance Sheet.

The bigger guys, subbed out all the works, and if a problem, waited till the Final payment, on Certification, and went bust leaving the subbies caught out.

For a kitchen extention, if the Arch is familiar with the builder, or if suitable references are sought, I rekon thats about as good as it gets.

muffler

beyondpassive wrote: »

Important to check that your builder has been paid for his last jobs and has money in the bank.

Thats a big no no. Have to agree with martinn13 on this.

Calvin001

beyondpassive wrote: »

It important to check if your builder has enough cash to pay for the works up until your professional certifies each stage as being complete. This can be up to €30k for some extensions

€30k cash in his back pocket...... utter rubbish


A good Builder will have trade accounts in good standing or within agreed terms. Builders have to carry to cost of "retention-due" (sometimes for up to a year) which can run up significant sums.
Look for a list of current Projects, a list of previous Project and a list of references from both Clients and Professionals.
See other items from Martinn123

koaj

Hi Mandan,
The above relevant posts are correct. There is no real regulation of building contractors. I would recommend that you do the following:
- Get drawings prepared for the propsed works
- Draw up a list of tendering building contractors by asking your hired architect / QS / Engineer.
- Recieve tenders & ask your hired professional to review
- Enter into a recognised building contract
- Have your hired professional carrry out regular inspections of works & valuations.
- Ensure you never pay out more than the value of works carried out.

Take the advice of your hired architect / engineer / QS etc!

Enjoy your extension & the building process

Johny 8

there are very few builders using any of their own money as working capital. They all seem to want a deposit up front and money every week. I think they are just too afraid nowadays.