Frequently Asked Question
Have a rough idea in your head of when things should start and finish. Your builder should have worked on a project plan for you, making you aware of timings for each part of the job so that you can prepare ahead – for an extension, be aware that the team may need access to rooms that you thought were off limits – it’s good to establish early with your builder what rooms need to be cleared in preparation for the build, and also when you think you may be able to have access to these rooms again. It’s worth asking your builder whether they see any potential hold ups in the plan, bearing in mind things can change depending on weather, availability of the team, and any other surprises your existing home may throw up along the way!.
The desire to add an extra window, or keep an original feature to a fireplace that you didn’t know existed is more common than you think – you can plan all you want, but until you see the work in progress, you won’t know how those plans will look. Changes to the build will usually add to the cost and time that the builder will be on site, so it is better that these changes are implemented earlier on in the program, where the additional cost and delay will be less.
A home builder will always be upfront with you about what is and isn’t included in your build. If there are changes to the initial plan, they will seek your approval before moving forward.
For a new build, builders would offer an NHBC warranty which would cover structural issues in the ten years from completion. For existing home extensions, the defects period is often detailed in the contract, and if nothing is requested then defects on any product is 12 months granted by the manufacturer.
Site access would be granted during working hours, especially when entering scaffolds, which should only ever be done with supervision and conformation the scaffold is safe. Accessing the site out of hours is extremely dangerous and would never be recommended by the builder.
Reputable builders are proud of the work they do, and will gladly provide references. You can also ask if they have a current project you can walk through – visiting an active work site can give you insight into how the builder operates and how organized they are.