Here at RGB Construction we understand the importance of choosing a reputable building and construction company that you can trust. Cardiff, and South Wales in general, is laden with choice when it comes to builders, and in a saturated marketplace it's tremendously important to choose a company that offers the experience and expertise to ensure any building work is carried out safely and to a satisfactory standard.
Every company will have their reasons as to why you should choose to bring them on board, so we thought we'd highlight a few things you can do when considering which local Cardiff based builders you should consider. We're fully aware of the headache it can cause, because we work with customers right across Cardiff every single day while undertaking a wide range of building projects, of all different sizes, from fitting kitchens and bathrooms, right through to entire property renovations.
We're even happy to get involved with smaller odd jobs around the house!
But, how exactly should you go about choosing a reputable local builder in Cardiff?
Get a recommendation from a friend
The first port of call many people make, and it's with good reason, is asking family and friends for a trusted recommendation. Chances are plenty of people that you know already have different experiences with a range of Cardiff based building and construction companies. Some of those experiences will be positive, some will be negative, others will be somewhere in between. Your family and friends aren't going to lie to you, so you'll get an honest, straight-forward opinion of how the builders were before and during the work, as well as a run-down on the quality and safety of the completed building work. You can even view this work for yourself if you know them!
If family and friends can't suggest a reputable builder, then use a reliable listing directory such as that supplied by the FMB. Here, you can check the name of any building and construction company to ensure that they are a member of the FMB (Federation of Master Builders). If the local builders you have your eye on are FMB members, then you can be sure that they are at the very least professional builders offering professional services, and can offer a warranty against the work through the FMB Insurance Services.
Prepare some briefing documents
This is your home and your building project, so it's incredibly important that you get exactly what you want from the builders of your choice. Many customers simply call builders in for a quick chat and a quote, and if the builders you're chatting to are experienced and the work isn't too major, then that can be fine. However, it can still help if you're able to produce a written brief, outlining important details and also any accurate and detailed drawings where possible, and give a copy of this to each local builder you approach for quotes.
Many builders can supply this sort of brief for you once you have discussed the work required, but it can always be helpful to have an idea yourself as to exactly what you'd like from this project. As mentioned, receiving exactly what you want with any building work is imperative. If you're not sure where to begin, take a look at this project brief for designing buildings. Now, we don't for one second suggest that you go quite this in-depth, but it should give you a little idea as to what sort of things you could include.
Fetch those building work quotes
It's usually a good idea to get a number of builders to quote on the building job at hand. As a rule of thumb, consider 3 local builders a fair figure. However, and this can't be stressed enough, don't simply opt for the cheapest quote. Take a good look at the breakdown of costs, and if one seems a great deal cheaper than the others then start asking some questions. How exactly are these "professional builders" going to achieve the same standard of quality finish for a cheaper price, without cutting corners?
Chatting with the builders will also give you the opportunity to get a feel for how they are as a team. Of course, nobody wants a building firm that talks the talk but then fails to walk the walk, but this is all part of the process in filtering out the cowboys and the builders that you're not quite hearing the rights things from.
Check and double check what's included
Now that you've had a chat with the local builders, have got a feel for who they are as a team, and received a satisfactory quote from them, it's time to double check what's included. Have a thorough read through the quote and check that absolutely everything you're hoping for is included. Does this include the removal of rubbish and site waste once the building work is complete? How about any relevant specifications of fixtures and fittings? Too often, builders will try to get away with doing the basic required work before shooting off in a jiffy. If you have specific requests or things you want done, and these can be realistically achieved by the builders, then be sure they are included in the upfront quote.
Look at their reviews
There is an abundance of information online these days, and chances are, the building and construction company in Cardiff that you're interested in are displayed online one way or another. Most builders in Cardiff have a website of some sort, displaying who they are as a company, some of their previous work and ways to contact them. But, as well as this, if you dig a little deeper, you may also find a host of online reviews from past customers. These are worth a read, but it may also be worth asking the building company for direct referrals as well, giving you the chance to ask previous satisfied customers for their in-depth opinion over the phone or face-to-face. This is especially useful if you have a large building project or a series of different work that needs to be undertaken. Why not ask if you can actually see some of their building and construction work in person? If they are a local Cardiff and South Wales based construction company, then they are sure to have some local previous work that you can go and check out.
If you're looking for reputable and professional local builders in Cardiff to complete some home improvements or building work to an excellent standard, and in a safe manner, then do get in contact with us today so that we can have a chat about the project and provide you with a free quotation. We operate on a no job is too big or too small basis, meaning we cover everything from entire property renovations, to bathroom and kitchen installation, as well as extensions and conversions.
Here at RGB Construction in Cardiff, we also undertake smaller jobs more akin to a handyman, such as door hanging and fitting, gate installation, fascias, soffits and guttering and everything in between. So, don't hesitate to call us on 07946452571 for more information, or complete our easy and convenient online contact form and a member of the team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.