Choosing a builder/landscaper

[Jasknya]

I wish to have a garage built in my back garden, a new patio laid and an artificial lawn installed. I have had several quotes for this project now and am trying to decide which company/companies to go with. I have whittled it down two choices but am unsure of which route to choose and wondered if anyone could help me?

The choices are:

A builder who also does landscaping (from the Trustmark website) who could do the whole project.

OR

A landscaper for the lawn and patio from Buy with Confidence and a builder from Buy with Confidence for the garage.

There is not much difference in the prices I have been quoted. Would I be better employing a landscaper for the garden as this is their specialism or is a builder who does landscaping just as good?

I feel it would be easier to get one person to do the whole project, otherwise I will have to project manage to some extent. Once the garage is built the only access to the garden will be through the garage which makes access for digging difficult. Similarly, if the garden is completed first it will possibly be disturbed when building the garage.

I have used contractors for small projects from ‘Checkatrade’ before and despite only choosing people with good feedback have had problems. Hence this is why I have now gone with people from ‘Trustmark’ or ‘Buy with Confidence’ instead.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[wrathkeg]

If possible get someone who is recommended by someone you trust who has had similar work done. As you say, you've used these sorts of registers before and been disappointed.

 

[WalksWithTurkeys]

The problem with these schemes is that according to several people on them, it is easy to post fake reviews. Secondly, the trades will smarm you so that you give a good review. It is hard to give a bad review to someone who is nice to you, assuming the work looks okay. However, if the shower leaks, destroying the floor, and the room below, and you have already given a good review, you cannot go back and edit your review. These sites don't allow that. It is all about "Does it look like a good job on completion to someone who knows nothing about the work done, who cares if it falls apart one month later".

I have had so many issues with bad trades (and I have had some very good trades) that I prefer to do the work myself, if possible. The problem is that things like Part B mean that it must be professionally bodged. (I speak as someone whose bathroom light fell off, and the bathroom socket plate fell off, both fitted by a qualified electrician employed by the people who refitted my bathroom.)

 

[r896neo]

I have found on many occasions that landscaping work done by builders is constructed fine but rough around the edges. I would use seperate trades on this occasion.

Of course there are lots of exceptions and i have seen rough jobs by so called landscapers but on the whole the above is my experience.

As the others have mentioned most of these schemes are deeply flawed. The checkatrade,rated people etc are especially bad.

Some of them like buy with confidence and trusted trader are a bit better but have their flaws.

Get a recommendation. Ask friends family or other people in your street who have had work done recently. Most people are happy to show you their nice new patio/ garage etc if your polite