Choosing a builder

The following points are often telltale signs of the sort of builder you would not wish to use on a project. You will often find the following are not properly dealt with:

• Not registered for charging and paying VAT
• Not offer properly written quotations
• Not have an office address or headed notepaper
• Not be able to offer good references
• Not carry third party insurance
• Not want to sign any sort of contract but liable to wish being paid in cash before the project commences
• Not employ properly trained labour
• Not provide the standard of workmanship expected
• Not provide an address in the event of complaints
• Not comply with health and safety regulations

Beware if you choose to use a builder that falls within any or the majority of the above categories you are likely to end up with a more costly yet lower quality job.

Do not necessarily go for the cheapest quote, always check builder credentials.

South Tyneside operates a Safetrader scheme and some builders may be registered on this scheme. See .