How to avoid getting ripped off by a builder

There are few industries with a reputation as bad as the building or home repair one. In many instances, this harsh reputation is well deserved because customers tend to get ripped off quite frequently.

The basis of fraudulent pricing is down to the fact that it is a service where the pricing mechanism is often down to judgement and the value of work done by a builder being so subjective. Unfortunately, this is where it can get compromising as many builders try to use this to their advantage by cheating their customers.

There are always precautionary measures that a person can take to avoid being ripped off by a builder.

Research the work needed to be carried out

Before you call a builder to repair damage, fault, leak, etc, you should talk to someone that has a fairly good idea on this type of subject, who will be able to provide you with a guide to how much it may cost, or at least an estimate. If you don't have a family member or friend that has had this type of work done in the past, you may go to a large DIY store and ask for assistance, someone there may be able to provide you with a rough idea of how much it should cost.

Take photos of the damage

Of course, there is no substitute for physically seeing the damage, but they will have some idea of what you are talking about as they deal with such matters on a regular basis. Of course, you can take some pictures of the areas that require repair thus giving them a better idea of how extensive the damage is.

Research on the Internet – You can gauge some idea as to approximately how much a repair might cost by doing some research on the Internet. There are plenty of sites providing honest appraisals of such work based on real-life work carried out by reputable, professional builders and contractors.

Get a free quote from several builders

Go though a business directory or the Internet and find local builders or repairers that work for a reputable firm to come and examine the problem and provide with a free quote. Before inviting them, you should make it clear with them if they provide free quotes because many builders and contractors do not. This way you will be able to get repair cost estimates or even final quotes from several builders, thereby giving you the option to choose.

Ask for a final quote if possible

This is very important because many builders - by suggesting they will analyse everything fully once the work starts - leave open the possibility of increasing the charges by citing more problems than previously suggested.

Avoid using an independent builder

The risk of using an independent builder that does not have any affiliation with any firm can be dangerous if you have no expertise in this area. Many such builders take advantage of people who show a complete lack of knowledge. These type builders are most likely to rip customers off than those working for a reputable firm.

However, some people have great experience with independent builders both on the quality of service and price. If you do use an independent builder, be sure what you are getting into and are very confident in the person before delegating work to them.

Use reputable firm

It is extremely important that you get your work done by a professional builder that works for a reputable firm for two important reasons: 1) They are most likely to provide a good professional service; 2) if they do cheat you in any way by doing a bad job you have an opportunity to take the matter up with his/her employer.

Do-It-Yourself

Since DIY is such a big industry with so many people now doing their own repair, decoration, etc, it may be wise to do it yourself and save a lot of money in the process. If you have no DIY experience at all, then it may best if you leave this for someone with greater experience, however, if the problem is pretty straightforward and on a small scale, you may wish to do it yourself, with some help from a more experienced family member or a friend.

Cheap labour

There is a growing community of immigrants from low wage countries that are willing to work for relatively low wage if you can trust them to do good work. More and more people are now using such workers and saving a lot of money in the process. A good thing about using such labor is that you are far less likely to get ripped off.