Lord Moser - News

News & Case Studies - Checklist for choosing a building contractor

By Diana Svorda / Head of Customer Support

Q Is your builder a specialist or merely a “one-man-band”, working from home, unqualified builder? How long has he operated as a building contractor? What accreditations does he have to support his tender?

Lord Moser has been a specialist in residential building and design since established, providing its entire works with the endorsement of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), who is the most recognised body in the UK for the supervision of building contractors, and accredited by the Government Trust Mark. In addition Lord Moser carries out its new building projects under the NHBC supervisory body for accreditation. The Guild of Master Craftsman (GMC) is yet another organisation supervising the good conduct of Lord Moser. Clients are most welcome to contact the above bodies to obtain references.

Q Is your building contractor prepared to introduce you to a minimum of three references where you can cross check their skill, service approach, and capabilities?

Lord Moser will always present a selection of recent clients and projects (often) related to the one that you are about to start. Clients have the opportunity to speak with existing customers and to collate all the assurances that one would require prior to go-ahead.

Q After the one-year warranty period does your building contractor make repairs enthusiastically and without charge?

Lord Moser provides warranties for up to 25 years in most areas of our building projects. These include foundations, main structural walls and roofs. In addition, Lord Moser provides up to 10 years’ warranty for the supply and fitting of windows and doors (warranties do not include wear and tear). Furthermore, Lord Moser has in place sound liability insurance to cover any project, regardless of its size and value.

Q How many successful projects has the building contractor made to date? At what level? In what areas? Across what styles? Over what period?

Lord Moser builders have a combined experience of over 250 years, undertaking building assignments across all industries, residential and commercial sectors, on a private and public level. Individual builders have between five and thirty years of experience and have undertaken hundreds of projects between them.

Q What sort of staff do they use — a ‘selection’ of off-the-street unseen workers?

Lord Moser has carefully selected and handpicked a team of the best builders in the UK, filtered by interviewing thousands of potential candidates over a rigorous process of checking their credentials, criminal records, professional knowledge and testing every candidate in their particular area of expertise before a position is offered at Lord Moser.

Q Do foremen/site managers meet/liaise with the client? Do they develop a procedural method when identifying problems?

Lord Moser recommended process is a weekly face-to-face meeting with the client to whom the foreman or site manager reports. A detailed brief/variation is produced and agreed upon with the client prior to commencing any alterations to the agreed plan.

Q What happens if I don’t like the foreman and/or if there is a problem with my project director?

Lord Moser has a reputation for maintaining very close monitoring contact with its site managers. All foremen have been carefully instructed and trained to comply with Lord Moser protocols when dealing with customers. Should any unforeseen problem arise, clients are always welcome to contact the head office and speak with the account director to sort any issues pending. Should this matter not be resolved satisfactory, then the client is welcome to address the matter to the Chief Operating Officer who will intervene accordingly. Should matters worsen; clients have the right to place their concerns in writing to the several respective bodies that oversee/supervise Lord Moser’s ethics in business conduct. These steps do not affect your statutory rights in any way.

Q Do they provide a free site visit/inspection, free assessments and estimate as part of the tender process, without charging the client, who is under no obligation to the contractor?

Lord Moser builders prefer an onsite initial meeting as this is regarded as one of the most important stages in assessing the scope of business relationship whilst at the same time collating factual evidence. This first visit is carried out at Lord Moser’s full expenses, never to be charged to the customers.

In Summary:

Start by checking out contractor’s past work as well as any current projects
Ask contractor’s questions such as: Warranties – Assurances – Insurances – Health and Safety
Check contractors credentials through their government recognised bodies
Visit several projects and meet some of the contractor’s previous clients
Make sure the contractor can work with your architect or has an in-house one-stop-service
Be sure your builder has enough skilled staff to deliver your project to completion
Make sure you are aware of your contractual obligations with the contractor at all times
Deposits. Unless the company is a registered body, do not part with any money
Make sure the contractor will liaise with building control throughout the project
Make sure you receive a certificate of completion at the end of the project before parting with the final payment

Finally

Before any work begins on your project, make sure you have a certificate of insurance showing evidence of the contractor’s liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Note: make sure the expiry date on the policy and make sure the contractor’s policies are valid throughout the project, not just at the start.

To discuss your Building and Design requirements with Lord Moser Plc please contact us by email or alternatively call us on our office number.

Lord Moser Plc – Tel: 0845 226 3619 – Fax: 0845 226 3629