Country & Townhouse - April 2013

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AMAZING INTERIORS IDEAS!

UNDER FOOT How little people have made a name for Nic Joly

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It pays to do your research when it comes to finding a builder that can produce first-class work on time and on budget, says John Thursfield, director at Broseley

he first task is to find the right building company for the job. You want a team that has a good track record, reputable references and one that will be sensitive to each individual project requirement. Ultimately, a firm who will give you an honest report of time and costs and deliver a first class job on time and on budget.

There are many building firms and most will appear to offer the same services and commitments.

But just as you would choose a member of staff starting with their CV, so too should you select your builder. Remember that the cheapest quote usually does a cheap job, as they will try to undercut, and you will pay for it in the end as quality is compromised and the ‘extras’ stack up.

It is essential to do your research, and then meet two or three firms on site with your questions. You should also ask to visit one or two properties they have recently completed, and follow up on at least three of their references.

You can find builders online or from trade organisations. You can take advice from your architect or interior designer, your friends and neighbours. But I always recommend word of mouth. At the top end of the market, everyone knows everyone, and the worlds of architecture, design and construction are built upon personal knowledge and reputation. Architect and interior designer, Rabih Hage, refers to it as the confraternity.

In my experience, the best jobs have always been the result of a close collaboration between the client, the architect or designer and the construction team. It is a partnership where the architect/designer and the builder must rely upon each other, which is why a trusting two-way relationship is paramount.

Having chosen your team, I cannot recommend highly enough the importance of involving them as early as possible – when the project is

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‘It is essential to spend time doing your research and then meeting up with two or three firms on site with your prepared questions’

still on the drawing board. We ourselves often see plans agreed that are simply not practical.

A good building team will have many skills based upon years of experience and I still find it surprising that they are often considered just ‘action men’ who can only do what they are told. Builders can often make cost and time saving contributions.

Tina Roscoe, of Casson Conder Partnership Architects, says, ‘The best way to get a building project done within the programme and budget is to develop the design and have this fully drawn up and specified for a builder to price before they start on site.’

This is echoed by Wendy Nicholls, managing director of Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler. ‘The most important thing to bear in mind before embarking on building work is that time spent on the plans with your architect/designer is never wasted. Rather, start slower and have a faster job than charge into it with insufficient information. Much better to make your decisions on paper rather than on site! It makes for a more efficient, happier and economic experience for all parties.’

Delays can sometimes be caused by the client too. At Broseley, we respect that clients change their minds and should not be afraid to. This reinforces the need to have all parties involved from the start. Hage agrees, and keeps a margin for improvisation and as a contingency for unforeseen situations.

Recently, we have seen an emergence of the ‘Designer/Builder’, which proposes to offer a ‘one-stop’ shop. Clients may think this is a cheaper option, but it is a misguided view if cost replaces quality.

The construction company’s in-house ‘designer’ will not have the range of skills and experience, nor the unbiased flexible freedom that a dedicated architect will provide.

Following this advice, Nicholls concludes, ‘A good builder will, hopefully, be with you for life and a good professional relationship on all sides makes that more likely.’ broseleylondon.com