Hiring Builder - Advice Required

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I've just seen some Chinese builders build a house and a couple of flats from scratch

I'm keen for them to undertake a loft conversion and extension for me.

The guys English is non-existent but the quality of their work looks spot on :D

Unusually, the guy says that he only charges for labour and he leaves the client to buy the materials.

However as this is the first time i am undertaking a job like this, I have no idea of all the required materials, the quantities and overall cost. The builder also seems reluctant to list all the materials

My question is, is the onus on him to list all the materials/quantities etc, or should I hire a quantity surveyor?

Given the language barrier, I will have to write the contact. But what must it include?

Any advice is welcome
 
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Hire a translator first.
With summer approaching you could hire a chinese pupil to act as a translator.
 
Hire a translator first.
With summer approaching you could hire a chinese pupil to act as a translator.
We've been getting by with the use of a nifty translator app

But a Chinese student could come in handy for later down the line

Question - is the onus on them to list the materials, quantities etc? Not sure why he's reluctant to be honest

Or should I hire a QS or rely on the architects building control detailed drawings for required materials?

Also the contract. I know that I will have to write it up. Apart from the fee and the payment stages what else is a must on the contract?
 
My advice is employ somebody to design the loft conversion for you and advise you on all the necessary facts. Planning?, building regulations?, party walls? etc.
When you have design drawings and the procedures are in place then you could then ask the Chinese gang to quote.
 
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I've just seen some Chinese builders build a house and a couple of flats from scratch

I'm keen for them to undertake a loft conversion and extension for me.

The guys English is non-existent but the quality of their work looks spot on :D

Unusually, the guy says that he only charges for labour and he leaves the client to buy the materials.

However as this is the first time i am undertaking a job like this, I have no idea of all the required materials, the quantities and overall cost. The builder also seems reluctant to list all the materials

My question is, is the onus on him to list all the materials/quantities etc, or should I hire a quantity surveyor?

Given the language barrier, I will have to write the contact. But what must it include?

Any advice is welcome
The language barrier is going to be a barrier to the builder telling you what he needs, or even knowing what he needs to comply with UK building regs.

You've never done this before....

This has car crash written all over it.
 
yeah, I like to save money, but even I wouldn't risk this.

Problem is, if you are effectively project manager, buying the materials etc and just paying labour, if something goes wrong, ie building control say "No, do it again" the cost will be on you entirely.
 
The language barrier is going to be a barrier to the builder telling you what he needs, or even knowing what he needs to comply with UK building regs.

You've never done this before....

This has car crash written all over it.

I've seen loads of jobs built by furrinors - mostly Eastern European. The biggest issue is not the quality, it's the lack of adherence to UK building code.

A favourite seems building walls with no cavity.


Loft conversions are are about as tricky as it gets.....add a language barrier in the mix. o_O
 
When you say you've witnessed them what made you think they were good, noting you have limitations in knowledge of this particular type?


As others have said, you need to get proper plans, a structural engineer maybe, and building control and possibly planning approved. From the plans you should then be able to know what and how much to buy.

Then you can hand over the plans to the builder to build. However as there is a clear language barrier you will have to be on your a game throughout the build to ensure they have interpreted the plans In the correct way... All the onus will be on you to get it right if it's not, it's going to cost you.

He could well be very good, and that does Seema rarity in the building trade, there is a lot of have a go jack's where the problems they create don't always become apparent until a little way down the line
 
Do you know who owns the house which was built by the Chinese labourers? Are they self employed or have they got a gang master with a valid licence?
 
Loft conversions are are about as tricky as it gets.....add a language barrier in the mix. o_O
I'm curious, what makes loft conversions tricky per se?

When you say you've witnessed them what made you think they were good, noting you have limitations in knowledge of this particular type?
Their speed, competency of various trades and some of the detailing looks great

Also the fact that they just 'get on with it'.. They arrive at 8am and don't leave till at least 6pm, Monday-Saturday..

Yes, I have already got plans drawn (including building control detailed drawings. All was given to the builder


He could well be very good, and that does Seema rarity in the building trade, there is a lot of have a go jack's where the problems they create don't always become apparent until a little way down the line

It's always the way.. months after payment has been made

Do you know who owns the house which was built by the Chinese labourers? Are they self employed or have they got a gang master with a valid licence?

The owner is an local shop keeper (about a mins walk from the property).

My other half spoke to the owner and he swears by them... He said that the Chinese builders do all his work for him.. and from the conversation, the shop keeper appears to do a bit of development.

He said that they are cheap compared to market rate and they always do a good job

When I spoke to the builder, unsurprisingly, he does not have a business.. and asking about licences will probably scare them off :D

Seems like a trade off..

Cheap price = But you have deal with a language barrier and guy that probably doesn't have licences, insurance or all the other legal stuff you'd expect
 
Please bear in mind that to keep the building safe and avoid unnecessary repair & maintenance, better waterproof the building by using polyurea coating, which is an effective method.
When and where would you apply this?
 
I'm curious, what makes loft conversions tricky per se?
Because they are largely unique and annoyingly idiosyncratic.

Because they are busy regards building Regulations.

Because they are demanding structurally i.e. Structural Engineering-ly complex.

Logistically prohibitive.

Weather dependant.

Always a nuisance regards stairs location.

Oh and dormer loft conversions are probably the ugliest architectural abominations on the planet.
 
A bit of advice.

Chinese workers are good but don't allow them to do the plumbing, they have no concept of building regs re plumbing, other wise they are good.
 

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