Home Construction Tips and Advice for Choosing the Right Builder

Home construction is one of the largest investments many of us will ever make, and that is why choosing the right house builder is extremely important. Home construction involves, planning, designing and exacting your idea to transform your dream home into a reality, hence, it is important to work with a professional house builder and not just contractors.

Professional house builders will use their knowledge and skills to assist you in planning and constructing a beautiful home. They will guide you to build your home based on your needs and preferences. They are experts in creating durable designs with   high quality building materials to meet the needs and tastes of customers, in so doing they keep within the prescribed budget

Moreover, standard practices and other industry regulations are not neglected when you choose a professional house builder.

What is the difference between a contractor and house builder?

Contractor

A contractor is licensed to manage an entire project and will sub contract specific tasks to the specialists in the field. For example, a contractor who is overlooking a home renovation project works with sub-contractors such as plumbers, electricians, painters, and so on. The contractor holds the responsibility of overseeing the quality of the subcontractors.

House builder

House builders have multiple responsibilities, which may vary depending on the contract. They are responsible for the   entire process of a construction project. House builders have a team of diverse skill sets who are capable of doing all types of jobs in home construction within the said timeframe and budget. A house builder has to understand the needs of their client and provide them with a solution that best suits their requirements. Their responsibility extends from the beginning to the end of the project, regardless of its scope i.e. planning, scheduling and supervising the work. House builders accomplish their duties by planning activities, supervising workers, and ensuring the project completes in compliance to the local construction industry standards.

Specific roles and duties of a house builder

House builders may be involved in some of the design work. The role of a house builder varies depending on the size of the project and whether they are a small or large-scale builder.

Small-scale builders will typically be involved in smaller projects such as building extensions, loft conversions, and garden buildings. These builders will usually take on these projects themselves or with one or two other tradespeople.

Large-scale builders are more likely to work on larger projects such as new builds, commercial developments, and public sector contracts. These builders need to employ many tradespeople who have specific roles in the construction process including carpenters, plumbers, electricians etc., which means that they may have to source these tradespeople themselves rather than employing them directly.

The house builders in the modern era have a lot more responsibility than those in the past. They are not just responsible for designing and overseeing construction, but also for preparing site, sourcing materials and overseeing construction through to completion.

Some of the roles a house builder can assume during different stages of a project includes:

• Project planning: The first and foremost role of a house builder is to design a plan based on the needs of the client. In addition, they also determine the construction equipment and material requirements and establish a budget for the project.
• Project management: They are also involved in many project management activities such as managing funds to keep the project moving, managing payroll for their own employees, and subcontractor payments.
• Project tracking: House builders track the progress and ensure to complete the work according to contract specifications and schedules. Most importantly, they have to check quality control and ensure site safety.
• Managing Legal and Safety Issues: House builders have a handful of responsibilities to manage such as the necessary permits and licenses before starting the project. They also guarantee health and safety on the site, by implementing adequate procedures and raising awareness among workers.

If you are planning to build a house, then it is important that you hire a qualified builder. You need to find someone who can do the job right and not just someone who is cheap. A qualified house builder will be able to give you an estimate of the cost of building your new home, liaise with other tradesmen, oversee building work and ensure that all legal requirements are met. A qualified house builder will be capable of managing uncertainty and taking decisions on a daily basis and ensure the completion of the project within the budget.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right House Builder

Choosing a house builder can be a difficult process, especially if you have no experience. There are many house builders in the market, but who is the most reliable of them all? Building a new home is one of the largest investments so one must choose an ideal builder that fits your needs, stays within your budget, and helps you build your custom home according to your specifications.

Most importantly, choosing the right builder is not just about finding a service that fits your budget. The experience, references, and the guarantee of highest quality service and craftsmanship are some attributes that should be taken into account.

Below are some important tips and advice that will help you choose the right builder for your home.

• Experience

An experienced house builder will have all the legal permits, as well as the support of experienced team members.   A builder who has been in business for decades will have sufficient knowledge about the industry, the material and the evolving architecture.  When there is any problem/issue, an experienced builder will be able to overcome such issues quickly and effectively. With an experienced team you will receive everything you need to feel safe and assured that your construction is in good hands. An experienced builder meets quality standards that evaluate all aspects of construction and build quality homes that stand the test of time.

• Reputation

Hand in hand with experience goes reputation of a house builder. This plays an essential role in the industry. There are many builders and developers who are trying to occupy a greater bite of the market. As a potential buyer, it can often get confusing to choose the best builder in town. As you narrow down your builder choices, you should read reviews and speak to past or current clients. Client reviews can help you understand about their work and the process. Most importantly, ask past customers about their experiences with the builder. Past customers feedback and reviews can help you make a confident decision. Moreover, a builder should be part of a strong network which will keep your project moving and ensure that all work and finishings are completed to the highest standard.

• Licenses and Insurance

It is necessary to check whether the builder has the proper licensing and accreditation. Accreditation and licensing shows that the house builder is qualified to handle the job and in compliance with local building regulations. Some builders’ licenses or registrations may have simply expired, or they may have had their licenses revoked but are still involved in the industry. As a good starting point, ask for copies of current certification to check and verify whether your builder is licensed, registered and insured.

Most importantly you should verify whether they have the appropriate insurance cover for the company, the employees and you in the event of a loss or accident.

• Knowledge of building codes and ordinances

Home construction industry has its particular set of regulations and building codes to maintain that a built environment is designed for fire safety and sustainability. While selecting a house builder in the UK, it is essential to check the builder’s familiarity with local building codes because you might end up spending more money if there are any violations related to local building codes and standards. Therefore, always select a builder who is   updated and aware of the latest local building code requirements.

• Financial Stability

In the process of choosing a builder, many people often forget to cross-check the financial stability and are side tracked with specialist services or products that the builder might be offering Needless to say, you should check whether the builder is financially stable and whether or not he is overleveraged and needs to clear debts. Always select a builder with enough cash on hand, so that he is able to accomplish the build. If not, you could be left high and dry when the builder goes bankrupt during the process of the project.

• Price and Budget

Price and budget are probably the most definitive, factors that are taken into account when choosing the right builder for your home.

A professional builder usually provides a detailed account of costs for the project and any juncture that may arise. The cost for unknown contingencies is factored into the quote, making you aware of any possible additional costs that could arise.

• Check out the warranty

The most notable point and of utmost importance is that you make sure the builder gives you a warranty that carries a promise of qualitative work and to repair or replace certain parts of building work carried out, putting your mind at ease for any unexpected issues.

• Documented contract

Having a legally documented contract in place helps to formalize the arrangement. A contract of agreement offers a layer of protection for both the parties. It’s important to prepare a contract that clearly outlines what’s been agreed. It helps you and the builder to be on the same page before moving forward with a construction project. Without a formal written contract, you can run into issues if either party has a dispute.

These basic factors will help you select a house builder who is reputable, reliable and will deliver not only a dream home but a valuable asset that will enhance your investment with time.

Trust the professional house builders at Manak Homes

When you’re looking for a home builder, you want a company that has been in the business for years and has the experience and the motivation to produce quality work. Manak Homes can offer you all of this and more.

As a locally owned house building company, with offices in London and the South East, we’ve refined and perfected the new home building experience to deliver the best quality homes, backed by our professional and experienced team.

We’ve been in business for the last 3 years, catering to customers ranging from new build to home renovations. Our whole team at Manak Homes has a thorough understanding and expertise to deliver quality solutions.  We are committed to provide a smooth and hassle-free build process from your initial design consultation, through to planning, construction, handover and beyond.

What sets us apart from our competitors is our experience and industry know-how, along with a high-quality of craftsmanship and close attention to detail. At Manak Homes we have always listened to our client requirements and have never underestimated the financial and emotional investment our clients are making.

Need more reasons to choose Manak Homes?

Here are just a few reasons about our quality of work and most significantly, our commitment to build homes and residential communities:

• Award winning home: It’s for a good reason that we’ve received WhatHouse Award for Best Luxury Home, customer service, value for money and affordability.
• Experience: We have the experience and industry know-how to work with the all the challenges to create, delightful residential communities to suit your needs.
• Talented team: A company is only ever as good as it’s team. We have a team of talented individuals across London and the South East, doing what they love, is reflected in our beautiful homes and incredible customer service.
• Affordable & quality: Our competitive prices deliver value to our customers. Our fine craftsmanship allows us to build with integrity, and to the highest industry standards.
• Exceptional customer services: When you choose Manak Homes as your house builder, you can expect a hands-on approach. Our professional and experienced team is there to support you throughout the process of the project, with an outstanding customer service.

If you’re looking for experienced, reliable home builders near London and the South East of England, why not reach out to us at Manak Homes. We’re happy   to help. Simply fill out the form and we will be in touch within 24 hours.

Or you can call us on 0203 871 2560.

Or:

email us at info@manakhomes.co.uk