If we were to compile a list of phrases most feared by homeowners, it’s likely that “cowboy builders” would be near the top. Employing builders to work on your property comes with a degree of uncertainty. We have all seen and heard horror stories on TV programmes like Rogue Traders about unfinished work, bad workmanship, leaking roofs and even tradesmen who disappear without explanation.
Thankfully, there are now ways to eliminate any lingering traces of doubt when installing a new extension, and using a prefabricated system like hup! is a perfect example. You’ll be working safely in the knowledge that regardless of who you hire, you’ll get a pristine and fully functioning extension.
Understanding Building Regulations
Reliable builders can help you navigate the world of building regulations. These are required standards that focus on the technical aspects of a project, such as structural stability, fire safety and energy efficiency. There can be subtle differences in these regulations depending on where you live and what you are building, and you should be able to download a PDF from your local authority’s website. However, they can be confusing and having a good builder on hand to help you navigate them can be a huge benefit. They’ll have kept themselves up to date on any changes and be able to assist and make sure there are no issues. They will also liaise with building control to ensure that inspections occur at the right time during the build so you can be provided with a Building Control compliance certificate once the works are complete.
At this point, we should explain that building regulations and planning permission are not the same thing. Planning permissions focus on how buildings affect the local environment. They are not as complex as building regulations, but they will be especially important for anyone who lives in a conservation area. If you have any concerns about your house extension planning permission, you should contact your local council.
How to Choose the Right Extension Builders
If you choose hup! you won’t have to worry about finding decent builders. You can use our online tools to find your local hup! builder and have a stress-free experience. Prefabricated systems are perfect for reducing the risk of problems because they come in kit form and are quick and easy to build. The finish will be the same, no matter who builds it and hup! is the best one by a considerable margin.
While we have your attention though, let’s share a few tips on how to find good builders. After all, one day you might need to find someone to build something other than an extension, and much as we’d like to help, our prefabricated extensions can’t be used to install things like patios or outdoor swimming pools or re-configure the inside of your home..
There are a wealth of resources available online to make the process less complicated. We’ve already mentioned Checkatrade, but similar services like the Federation Of Master Builders and MyJobQuote are worth exploring too. These are all neutral sites and are a good way to quickly understand how strong a builder’s reputation is.
Besides them, we’d also suggest checking out reviews or case studies from previous customers from unbiased platforms. You’ll find unfiltered feedback from the general public on Google and on Facebook pages, so have a look at your chosen builder’s online presence and see what you can find. Generally speaking, one or two bad reviews aren’t too alarming, but if they have a catalogue of scathing opinions, steer clear. Don’t rely on their own website testimonials or imagery, as this can always be faked.
If you need any extra assurance, you can also ask your builders for references. Just make sure to call them and check that it’s a legitimate reference.
Benefits of Hiring Professional Home Extension Builders
It’s worth remembering that for all the horror stories, the majority of builders aren’t cowboys and most are perfectly professional, respectable workers. There are still a few bad apples around though, so if you want to eliminate any doubts, we recommend choosing hup!.
With hup!, there is less room for error or shortcuts from the installation team. The various components, wall panels and roof systems are all pre-manufactured offsite to a consistently high standard. The rapid fit, Ultrapanel technology means that hup! extensions clip together and are less dependent on the quality of workmanship from your builders. It’s five times faster to build than traditional methods and is designed for efficient assembly. Plus, there’s less onsite waste to worry about.
As you would expect, hup! is fully compliant with Building Regulations, and pre-approved by leading Building Inspector networks to give you peace of mind and help minimise red tape and inspection delays.
As a final bonus, with hup! you’ll get a dedicated project manager who can answer all your queries. That means you won’t have to juggle a small army of tradesmen, architects, surveyors and other professionals, you’ll have a single point of contact.
Connect With Your Trained & Local hup! Builder
We understand entirely that you might experience doubts and uncertainties when first searching for a builder. However, by choosing hup! you’ll get a responsible and highly trained team of house extension specialists. You’ll soon get a structurally sound, thermally efficient new house extension that’s built to your exact requirements.
So, forget that story your uncle told you about a builder who ran off with his life savings and left a big hole in the roof; hup! is cowboy-proof. The majority of the work is done in our factories, and there is far less opportunity for low-quality workmanship on the building site. Use our online tool to find your local builder and start a project today. We can’t wait to hear from you.
