Hiring a builder and paying them
Most jobs that go badly wrong were visible in the quote. The warning signs are consistent, they are easy to check, and thirty seconds on the right register settles most of them.
The checks worth thirty seconds each
Companies House for the company age and any pattern of dissolved predecessors. The Gas Safe Register and the NICEIC or NAPIT registers by number, not by the logo on the van. TrustMark or the FMB directory for scheme membership. The public liability certificate, checking cover level and expiry date. And two recent jobs, visited — ask the owner what went wrong, because something always did, and how it was handled is what you are actually measuring.
Stage payments follow work, not the calendar
Nothing, or a small deposit of 5-10%. Then foundations complete and inspected, walls to damp-proof course, roof on and watertight, first fix, plastering, practical completion less a 5% retention, and that retention released a few months later once the snagging is done. Established builders have credit accounts with merchants and do not need your money to start. A large deposit before anything arrives on site is the single most common feature of jobs that go wrong.
Get it into a contract
The JCT Home Owner Contract and the FMB domestic contract are both short, plain English and cost very little. A written contract protects the builder as much as it protects you, which is exactly why good builders are happy to sign one and why reluctance to sign is informative.
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Every guide on this topic
What Are Preliminaries in a Builder's Quote? A Builder Explains
Preliminaries cover scaffolding, skips, welfare, insurance and supervision. What is normal on a UK home job, the red flags, and what to ask before you sign.
Read the guide →-
Why Are Builder Quotes So Different? (And How to Compare Them Fairly)
Three quotes, three very different prices? Why builder quotes vary so much, how to compare them like for like, and when the cheapest is a warning.
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How Much Deposit Should You Pay a Builder? (UK, 2026)
A deposit of 5-10% is normal on UK home jobs. What to do if a builder wants 25%, 30% or 50%, and how to structure stage payments safely.
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Quote or Estimate? Is a Builder's Quote Legally Binding?
Quote or estimate? When a builder's price becomes binding, how long it stays valid, and what to pin down before you accept. Practical guidance, not legal advice.
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Can a Builder Charge More Than the Quote?
When a fixed quote should hold, when extras are fair, and what to do if the bill climbs mid-job. Practical guidance, not legal advice.
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VAT on a Builder's Quote: Included, Excluded or Not Registered?
How to read VAT on a builder's quote, the £90,000 threshold, and how to compare a VAT-registered builder with one who is not. Different from the 5% empty-home rate.
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Provisional Sums and PC Sums in a Builder's Quote, Explained
Provisional sums and PC sums are allowances, not fixed prices. How they differ, whether margin is included, and what to ask before you sign.
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How Much Contingency Should You Hold for Building Work?
Hold about 10% of build cost, or 15% for pre-war and high-uncertainty jobs. Contingency is your reserve, not the builder's spending pot.
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Schedule of Works: What It Is, and a Free Template for Homeowners
What a schedule of works is, why it makes builder quotes comparable, and a free CSV template you can download or print.
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Day Rate or Fixed Price: Which Should You Agree With Your Builder?
When a fixed price protects you, when day rate is fair, and the hybrid approach that suits most real jobs. No invented day-rate figures.
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4 Things to Check Before You Choose a Contractor
Before you sign anything, run these four checks: Companies House, a face-to-face visit to a previous job, a capped deposit, and verified trade qualifications.
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Is My Builder Ripping Me Off? How to Tell an Overcharge From a Missing Item
Most homeowners who feel overcharged were not overcharged — the quote was incomplete. How to tell a genuine rip-off from work that was never priced, what is usually missing, and how to raise it without wrecking the relationship.
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Stage Payments to Builders: How to Structure Them Safely
Paying a builder in one lump sum upfront is one of the most common ways homeowners lose money. Here's how to structure stage payments properly.
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How to Check a Builder's Quote Before You Accept It
Three builders, three very different prices for what looks like the same job. Here's exactly what to check in a builder's quote before you accept it — and what the cheapest price is often hiding.
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How to Check If a Builder Is Legit in the UK (2026 Guide)
Before you hand over thousands of pounds, here's how to verify a builder is legitimate, qualified, and trustworthy. A practical guide to protecting yourself from rogue traders.
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Builder Quote Red Flags: 9 Warning Signs to Watch For Before You Sign
Not all builder quotes are created equal. Learn the warning signs that separate a fair, professional quote from one that could cost you thousands in hidden extras and poor workmanship.
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DIY Done Right: Essential Builders' Advice for Safe Home Projects
Master safe DIY with battle-tested insights from seasoned builders. Learn essential safety gear, planning tips, and when to call in the pros to keep your home projects on track.
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