Increases in stamp duty to 3% for houses worth over £250,000 and 4% for those over £500,000 have helped discourage homeowners from moving. Instead they are choosing to improve their existing property.
It may be that your house only needs painting and decorating to bring it up to scratch, with perhaps a new driveway or patio for the garden. More commonly, extra space is required for a growing family and changing lifestyles. Working from home for part of the week is now commonplace for many, and requires an office away from everyday household noises. Small children need a playroom, and as they grow older a games and hobby room which can be adapted into a separate lounge away from parents.
This extra space can either be achieved by extending into the roof space in the form of a loft conversion, or to build onto the house. Those lucky enough to have a basement, whether in a new house or an older one, may wish to upgrade it to provide more facilities, or even retro–fit a basement if they haven’t already got one – an increasingly popular choice due to high property prices in some areas. Another option is a conservatory, which can be used for dining rooms, kitchens, extensions to a living room and even swimming pool enclosures and artist’s studios.
Whatever your needs for a better home it is a must to employ a reputable builder, which can be achieved by following a few simple steps. Always employ a builder who is a member of a recognised trade organisation, such as the Federation of Master Builders.
Through the FMB its members can offer an insurance-backed warranty called MasterBond. It covers house extensions and loft conversions, plus central heating installation, double glazing work and other structural and decorative work when part of a larger contract. The scheme provides protection against loss of deposits should a builder go bankrupt, and should the builder go out of business, insurance cover of up to 25% of the contract price or £10,000 (whichever is the lesser) to cover additional costs for completing the job. For this extra assurance customers pay a 1.5% premium on the total cost of the work.
One of the main causes of dispute between builder and customer is due to a simple lack of understanding on either side as to what was agreed in the original quotation. To help overcome this the FMB has a Quotation Contract that sets out clearly both parties’ obligations, and comes with clear and comprehensive guidance notes. It is believed to be the only contract of its type in the building industry to have gained a Crystal Mark from the Plain English Campaign.
Ian Davis, Director General of the Federation of Master Builders, commented "Only employing a reputable builder who is a member of a recognised trade organisation and can offer an insurance-backed warranty will ensure that a job goes well. Employing a cash-in-hand builder can only lead to wasted money and frustration, as increasing numbers of people are finding out."
FMB members in your area can be found with the Find A Builder facility at the FMB On-line. Or call head office (details found below).
Further Information
For further information, please contact:
Federation of Master Builders
Gordon Fisher House
14-15 Great James Street
Holborn
London
WC1N 3DP
Tel: 020 7242 7583
Fax: 020 7404 0296
First posted: 18 September 2000. Last modified: 18 September 2000.
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