The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Builder for Your Home Project

Embarking on a construction project, whether it’s a new build, an extension, a loft conversion, or a home refurbishment, can feel like a daunting task. The success of your project hinges significantly on the builder you choose. Finding the right builder not only ensures your home is built to the highest standards but also guarantees the project stays within budget, meets deadlines, and complies with regulations.

Loomin’s platform makes finding the right builder easier than ever. With a marketplace of TrustMark-registered builders, homeowners can access pre-qualified, reliable contractors, compare fixed-fee quotes, schedule appointments, sign contracts, manage payments, and oversee progress—all from one user-friendly platform.

In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about selecting a builder, understanding costs, optimising your working relationship, and ensuring your project runs smoothly from start to finish.

When Do You Need a Professional Builder?

Before you start your search for a builder, it’s crucial to understand when their expertise is required. While some smaller home improvement tasks can be handled by yourself or a specialist tradesperson, many construction projects demand the professional skills that only an experienced builder can provide.

‍

Major Projects That Typically Need a Builder

1. New Builds: Building a new home is a huge undertaking that requires expert coordination, skilled labour, and adherence to legal requirements. Builders are responsible for transforming your design plans into a fully functional and livable structure.
   • Why a Builder is Essential: A new build involves numerous construction stages that require expertise, from laying the foundations to overseeing structural work, plumbing, electrical installations, and finishing.
2. Home Extensions: Adding additional space, such as extending your kitchen, adding another floor, or building a conservatory, requires the expertise of a builder to ensure that the extension blends seamlessly with the existing structure.
   • Why a Builder is Essential: Builders manage the logistics of extension projects, ensuring structural integrity, compliance with regulations, and timely delivery of the work.
3. Conversions (Loft, Basement, or Garage): If you're converting a loft, basement, or garage into usable living space, a builder’s expertise is essential to ensuring that the structure is safe, insulated, and compliant with building codes.
   • Why a Builder is Essential: Conversions often involve structural changes and intricate work, such as installing stairs, windows, plumbing, and electrical systems, which need professional handling.
4. Refurbishments or Renovations: Whether you’re updating an old house or modernising certain aspects of your home, a builder will help bring the project together. They’ll ensure that the structural aspects of the home are intact while upgrading fixtures, finishes, and layouts to suit your needs.
   • Why a Builder is Essential: Refurbishments typically require a combination of skills, from removing walls to updating electrical systems and ensuring the building meets current safety standards.

When You Might Not Need a Builder

For smaller home improvement projects or repairs, such as minor plumbing fixes, decorating, or fitting new carpets, a builder may not be necessary. In such cases, a tradesperson, handyman, or specialist contractor might be the better choice. However, for any project that involves major structural or design changes, a builder is indispensable.

How to Choose the Right Builder

Once you've decided that you need a builder, the next step is to identify the right one for your project. Choosing the right contractor ensures that your project is completed efficiently, on time, and to your specifications. Here are some crucial steps to follow when selecting a builder:

Start with a Clear Project Overview

Before you start reaching out to builders, ensure you have a detailed plan of your project. Clearly define the scope of the work, your budget, and timeline, and think about the specific skills required. Whether you’re extending your home or undertaking a full refurbishment, understanding the work involved will help you shortlist builders who specialise in the kind of work you need.

• Why This is Important: Having a well-defined project plan makes it easier for you to communicate your requirements and helps builders accurately estimate costs and timelines.

Look for Builders Who Are TrustMark-Registered

TrustMark is a government-backed scheme that recognises builders who meet high standards of quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. When searching for a builder, ensure that they are TrustMark-registered. This provides a guarantee that the builder has been vetted for both their skills and business practices.

• Why TrustMark is Crucial: TrustMark ensures that builders are qualified, reliable, and comply with relevant regulations. It provides an extra layer of confidence, especially when hiring contractors for significant or complex projects.

Use Loomin’s Marketplace to Compare Builders

Loomin’s platform allows homeowners to search for and compare builders who are pre-qualified and TrustMark-registered. The marketplace offers easy access to contractor profiles, reviews, and project histories. You can also request fixed-fee quotes from multiple builders, making it simple to compare and choose the best one for your project.

• Why Loomin is Beneficial: Loomin helps you save time and effort by consolidating all the information you need in one place. You can review multiple builders, compare pricing, and read feedback from previous clients without having to contact numerous builders individually.

Request Detailed Quotes and Compare

Once you have shortlisted a few builders, request detailed quotes from them. A thorough quote should include a breakdown of materials, labour, project timeline, and other costs. Compare these quotes carefully to understand what’s included in each, as well as the value you’re getting for the cost.

• Why This is Important: It’s easy to assume that all quotes are comparable, but differences in materials, scope, and expertise can affect the overall price and quality of the work.

Schedule Site Visits and Meetings

After comparing quotes, invite the builders to your site for an in-depth discussion of the project. Use this opportunity to explain your expectations, ask about their previous experience, and determine if you feel comfortable with their communication style and approach.

• Why Site Visits Matter: Meeting in person gives you a better sense of the builder’s professionalism and experience. It also allows them to better understand the specifics of your project, so they can refine their quotes accordingly.

What to Expect from a Builder's Costs

When budgeting for your construction project, understanding how builders charge for their services will help you avoid any surprises. Builders may use different pricing structures, and knowing what’s included in their fee will help you ensure the best value for your investment.

Types of Fee Structures

1. Fixed-Price Contracts: With a fixed-price contract, you agree on a set price for the entire project. This is the most common pricing model on Loomin’s platform. It provides certainty, as you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for the project from start to finish.
   • What’s Included: The fixed price usually covers labour, materials, and project management. Ensure that any additional work or variations are clearly outlined in the contract to avoid unexpected charges later on.
2. Hourly Rates: Some builders charge by the hour, especially for smaller or more flexible jobs. Hourly rates can range from £25 to £60 per hour, depending on the builder's experience and the nature of the work.
   • When to Use Hourly Rates: Hourly rates are suitable for smaller tasks or jobs that are difficult to estimate upfront, such as repairs or minor alterations.
3. Cost-Plus Contracts: In a cost-plus contract, the builder charges for materials and labour, with an additional percentage added for profit. While this provides flexibility, it can result in a final price that is higher than originally anticipated.
   • When to Use Cost-Plus: This structure works well for projects where costs are difficult to predict, such as when you’re making changes or decisions along the way.

Understanding Additional Costs

• Materials: Builders will often charge separately for materials, although these may be included in the quote in some cases. Always ask for a detailed list of the materials and their costs.
• Labour: Labour costs can vary based on the complexity and duration of the project.
• Site Preparation: If the site needs to be cleared or prepared before construction begins, this may add to the cost.‍
• Project Management: Some builders include project management fees in their overall cost, while others charge separately.

Managing Your Building Project with Loomin

Once you've selected a builder and agreed on a contract, managing the project can sometimes become overwhelming. Loomin’s platform is designed to help homeowners manage every step of the process with ease.

Streamline Project Management

Loomin’s SaaS-enabled platform allows you to manage your project efficiently by keeping everything in one place. You can:

• Track Payments: Loomin allows you to make payments directly through the platform, ensuring that all financial transactions are organised and transparent.
• Manage Milestones: You can track your project’s milestones and ensure the work is completed on time and according to your specifications.‍
• Schedule Meetings: Use Loomin to book virtual or in-person meetings with your builder, ensuring open communication and quick resolution of any issues that may arise.

Sign Contracts Safely

Loomin allows you to sign contracts digitally, ensuring that all agreements are secure and legally binding. You can review the contract terms and ensure that you understand what is included in the work before moving forward.

• Why It’s Important: Signing a contract through Loomin ensures that both parties are on the same page regarding scope, costs, timelines, and responsibilities, providing you with legal protection throughout the project.