I just want to share a good news story about a builder I engaged.
Three years ago my wife and I embarked on a loft conversion project and sort proposals from 2 of the main local building companies who specialise in loft conversions. Both were large companies who were able to provide multiple references of projects in our area. Both worked by sub-contracting out the work. Both proposals came in at remarkably similar prices and bore a certain similarity. That did not surprise me as staff have swapped between the two companies. There was no clear winner and our own gathering of stories from with our local network gave mixed results - both had a mix of happy and utter-horror stories. The conclusion was that it was all down to the quality of the team to whom the work was subcontracted.
Late in the proposal gathering stage, a neighbour introduced us to small building team that they engaged and with whom they were really happy. The builders themselves with whom you contract did the work. We met them and their talk was about the pride they took in their work and the relationship they like to build with their clients. We went to see some of their reference sites and they all spoke of the trust and rapport that they built with this builder. His proposal came in far below the to two big firms.
True to his word, he and his team were absolutetly trust worthy and took pride in their work. No, it was not all perfect, we had to make changes as we went through - but everything was dealt with in a professional and personable manner and the trust we had built up meant we always got to the right outcome. Do it right, do it properly or dont bother was his motto.
Three years later we had a leak in the flat roof of the loft. Water came in through the outlet for the bathroom air vent. I rang the builder and asked for advice. He was at my door within an hour. He went out of the one of the Velux windows and was on the roof inspecting the situaiton with 20 minutes of arriving - he applied new sealant to the vent pipe where it comes out of the roof. He took before and after pictures. When he got down, he assured my that the rest of the roof was in good condition. All sorted within 1 and half hours. I asked him how much I owed him - he refused to take anything (I gave him some fresh eggs from my chickens).
How good is that. How lucky am I to have been introduced to such and honourable builder.
Trust and rapport are a valuable ingredient in any building project - and the client has to play their part.
Three years ago my wife and I embarked on a loft conversion project and sort proposals from 2 of the main local building companies who specialise in loft conversions. Both were large companies who were able to provide multiple references of projects in our area. Both worked by sub-contracting out the work. Both proposals came in at remarkably similar prices and bore a certain similarity. That did not surprise me as staff have swapped between the two companies. There was no clear winner and our own gathering of stories from with our local network gave mixed results - both had a mix of happy and utter-horror stories. The conclusion was that it was all down to the quality of the team to whom the work was subcontracted.
Late in the proposal gathering stage, a neighbour introduced us to small building team that they engaged and with whom they were really happy. The builders themselves with whom you contract did the work. We met them and their talk was about the pride they took in their work and the relationship they like to build with their clients. We went to see some of their reference sites and they all spoke of the trust and rapport that they built with this builder. His proposal came in far below the to two big firms.
True to his word, he and his team were absolutetly trust worthy and took pride in their work. No, it was not all perfect, we had to make changes as we went through - but everything was dealt with in a professional and personable manner and the trust we had built up meant we always got to the right outcome. Do it right, do it properly or dont bother was his motto.
Three years later we had a leak in the flat roof of the loft. Water came in through the outlet for the bathroom air vent. I rang the builder and asked for advice. He was at my door within an hour. He went out of the one of the Velux windows and was on the roof inspecting the situaiton with 20 minutes of arriving - he applied new sealant to the vent pipe where it comes out of the roof. He took before and after pictures. When he got down, he assured my that the rest of the roof was in good condition. All sorted within 1 and half hours. I asked him how much I owed him - he refused to take anything (I gave him some fresh eggs from my chickens).
How good is that. How lucky am I to have been introduced to such and honourable builder.
Trust and rapport are a valuable ingredient in any building project - and the client has to play their part.
