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Free builder advice · no obligation · no cardAsk a builder one question — free builder advice
Ask us the one thing that's actually worrying you about a property, a crack, a RICS survey or a quote, and a working UK builder will answer it — honest building advice, in plain English, within 24 hours. One defect, one photo, or one paragraph. Not a 40-page survey — that's the paid review.
A real person reads every one of these. Ben has spent nearly 30 years on the tools. We don't quote for building work, so we have no reason to tell you anything except what we'd tell a friend.
Questions we get every week
- “The RICS survey says the roof covering is nearing the end of its serviceable life — is that a £900 job or a £9,000 one?”
- “There’s a crack above the bay window in these photos. Should I be worried?”
- “My builder has quoted £34k for a 4m rear extension. Is that reasonable for Bristol?”
- “The listing says the loft conversion was done in 2012. What should I be asking for?”
Where the free bit ends. One defect, one photo, or one paragraph, answered properly — that's free, always. Reading a whole survey and costing every item on it is a couple of hours of a builder's time, and that's the £59 review. We'll tell you straight which one you need.
Or just talk to us
If typing it out is the hard part, don't. Message or ring — same builders, same answer.
We reply Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm.
Need the whole report costed? That's the £59 review →
4.9 stars across 21 reviews
19 five-star reviews on Google so far, and growing — from buyers and homeowners Ben has helped.
“If like me, you are overwhelmed by a 90+ pages survey report and need a professional to help you make sense of it, Ben is your man! Quick, helpful and friendly.”
“Ben was really knowledgeable and a great help with answering our concerns following a RICS survey. This has enabled us to move forward with piece of mind and a fuller understanding of the property we are purchasing.”
“As a first time buyer who doesn’t know anything about building work, I found this service to be an absolute godsend. Ben translated a RICS 3 survey for an ex-buy-to-let into cost estimates and timeframes for the various issues. Once I had that info it was obvious that the house wasn’t for me, and having someone friendly and knowledgeable on my side took so much of the pressure off. Thanks Ben, I’ll be booking another survey review once I’ve found somewhere with (hopefully) fewer pitfalls!”
“We had an incredibly detailed survey report on a property we’re looking to purchase. Ben reviewed it for us and helped us break it down clearly and understand what the most important bits were. Ben’s service was super speedy, helpful, and friendly. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ben!”
“Fantastic service and will use again, provided comprehensive review and costs for problems identified on survey and informed discussions on potential problems arising once work starts. The service was invaluable. Ben was professional, so helpful and very knowledgeable”
“Ben has been absolutely fantastic. As a first time buyer getting a home buyers survey back feels like a bit of a mine field. Ben helps with approximating costs to all the points raised and also explained everything in really easy to understand terms. I feel much more confident about the property and entering negotiations with the seller. 100% worth it.”
Read every review on our Google Business Profile → Been helped by us? Leave a review.
Ask a builder: common questions
Is it actually free?
Yes. No card, no sign-up, no trial that turns into a subscription. You ask one question, a builder answers it, and if that is all you needed then that is where it ends. We would rather you got the answer than got nothing.
What counts as one question?
One defect, one photo, or one paragraph — a cost, a line in a RICS survey, a quote that looks wrong. Send that and we will tell you what we think. What we cannot do free is read a forty-page RICS survey end to end and cost every item: that is the £59 review, and it takes a builder an hour or two of real work.
Who answers it?
Ben Murrell, a working UK builder for nearly 30 years. Not AI, not a call centre, not a salesperson. You get a name and you can reply to it.
Will you try to sell me building work?
We cannot. We do not quote for or carry out building work, which is the whole reason our answer is worth having. There is nothing we could sell you except the £59 review, and we will only mention that if your question genuinely needs one.
How fast will I hear back?
Within 24 hours, usually sooner. If you are up against an exchange deadline or an offer decision, say so in your message and we will move you up the list.
What kind of building advice can I ask for?
Anything about a house you own or are thinking of buying: a crack, a damp patch, the roof or chimney, a line in a RICS survey, whether a builder’s quote looks right, or roughly what a job should cost. If the question really needs a structural engineer, a surveyor or another specialist rather than a builder, we will say so.
Can I send a photo with my question?
Yes. The form on this page is text only, so send your photos on WhatsApp using the button on this page, or email them to [email protected], and mention in your question that they are on their way.
Is builder advice the same as a structural engineer’s report?
No. A builder can tell you what a crack or defect usually means in practice and what it typically costs to put right. A structural engineer diagnoses movement, does calculations and signs off structural work. If your question needs an engineer, we will tell you, and explain what the report should cover.
Building advice you can read first
Some questions have a full answer already. If one of these covers yours, you won't need to wait for us.
- Cracks above doors and windows: when to worry
- Bay window cracking: what it means and what it costs
- Cracks in walls: subsidence, settlement or thermal movement?
- How to check a builder is legit, and how to check builder reviews
- How to check a builder's quote before you accept it
- What RICS survey findings actually cost to fix
- Crack severity checker and builder quote checker (free tools)