Why Doing Your Homework Before Choosing a Builder Matters More Than Ever
With another local building company recently going into administration, it serves as a timely reminder of how important it is for clients to properly research and assess a building company before appointing them to carry out work on their home.
In areas such as Knutsford and the surrounding Cheshire villages, many projects involve period properties, bespoke new builds, large extensions, and high-specification refurbishments. These are not simple projects, and choosing the right builder is not simply a case of comparing prices. In fact, focusing on price alone is often where projects begin to go wrong.
Not All Quotes Are the Same
One of the biggest misconceptions in the construction industry is that all quotes are based on the same information — they are not.
A professional, detailed quotation should include:
- A clear scope of works
- Breakdown of costs
- Specification of materials
- Provisional sums clearly identified
- Exclusions clearly noted
- Programme duration
- Payment terms
- Clarification on who is responsible for design elements, Building Control, structural engineering, etc.
If a quote is significantly cheaper than others, it is rarely because the builder is more efficient. More often, it is because key elements have not been included, have been underestimated, or have been left as vague provisional allowances.
This is where many clients run into trouble. The project starts at an attractive price, but as the build progresses and missing items are identified, the cost increases through variations and extras — often resulting in the final cost exceeding the higher, more detailed quote that was originally rejected.
The cheapest quote is very rarely the cheapest project.
Financial Stability Matters
With the recent news of another builder in the local area entering administration, it highlights another very important point — financial stability.
When a building company goes into administration mid-project, the consequences for the client can be severe:
- Work stops immediately
- Sites can be left unsafe or exposed
- Materials may have been paid for but not delivered
- Deposits may be lost
- New contractors are often more expensive to bring in mid-project
- Delays can run into months
The Part No One Talks About
There is also an unfortunate side to this that many members of the public never see.
When a building company collapses, it is very rarely just the company directors who are affected. In most cases, it is local subcontractors, suppliers, and small businesses who are left unpaid. These are often the same local trades and merchants who have worked on projects in good faith, only to be left with significant losses when the company goes under.
To add insult to injury, in some situations, the individuals behind these companies simply start again under a new company name and continue trading, sometimes working on projects just streets away from the ones where subcontractors and suppliers are still owed money.
So while a homeowner may think they are simply hiring another builder, behind the scenes, there may be a trail of unpaid contractors, suppliers, and failed projects that they know nothing about.
This is why doing your homework is not just about protecting yourself - it’s also about supporting reputable local companies who pay their contractors, pay their suppliers, honour their warranties, and stand by their work long after the project is finished.
The Reality of Building Today
Building projects today are complex and involve structural engineering, Building Regulations, planning conditions, heritage and conservation requirements, energy and insulation requirements, heating and ventilation systems, high-end finishes and bespoke joinery, and coordination across multiple trades.
Because of this, a detailed quotation and proper planning process is absolutely essential to delivering a project on time and on budget.
At HSP, we spend a significant amount of time reviewing drawings, specifications, and project details before providing a quotation. This is intentional, the more detail that is understood and allowed for at the beginning, the smoother the project will run later.
Final Thoughts
Your home is likely your biggest investment. Choosing a builder should be treated with the same level of due diligence as choosing a solicitor, architect, or financial advisor.
Do your homework.
Ask questions.
Compare what is included, not just the price.
Make sure the company you appoint has the experience, structure, and financial stability to see your project through to completion.
Because in construction, the true cost of a project is not the number on page one of a quote, it’s the number you pay at the end.
HSP - Built for Construction