How to Choose a Builder in East London: Questions to Ask Before You Sign

Most building disputes come down to the same handful of things that weren't nailed down before work started. Here are the questions worth asking any builder — including us — before you sign anything.

"Is this quote fixed, or a rough estimate?"

A genuine fixed-price quote should specify exactly what's included and shouldn't move once work starts, barring genuine unforeseen issues (like discovering rot behind a wall) that get agreed and costed separately before proceeding. If a quote reads like a ballpark figure with lots of "allow for" language, expect the final bill to be higher than the quote.

"Are you insured, and can I see proof?"

Ask specifically for public liability insurance (protects you if something goes wrong on your property) and, if applicable, professional indemnity insurance. Any legitimate builder should provide this without hesitation — if there's reluctance, that's a red flag.

"What warranty do you offer, and is it in writing?"

A 10-year structural warranty and a shorter workmanship guarantee (commonly 2 years) covering finishes and fittings is standard practice for a professional building company. Get the specifics in writing as part of your contract, not just a verbal assurance.

"Who supplies the materials, and where from?"

This affects both cost and quality control. Builders who buy through their own established trade accounts direct from manufacturers can usually offer better pricing and more consistent quality than those sourcing ad-hoc through builders' merchants for each job. Ask which brands they use for kitchens, sanitaryware, and flooring specifically — a vague answer here is worth probing further.

"What happens if there's a delay?"

Ask how the builder communicates during a project, and how often. Weekly updates (photos, progress notes) should be standard, not something you have to chase. Ask what happens to the timeline if something unexpected comes up — a professional builder should have a clear process, not just "we'll let you know."

"Can I see recent, verifiable work?"

Photos on a website are a start, but ask for the location (even just the general area) and roughly when the work was completed. A builder confident in their work will happily share this. Independent reviews — Google, Checkatrade, or similar — matter more than testimonials curated for a company's own site.

"Do you handle planning permission and building regulations?"

A builder who understands your local council's specific rules (including any Article 4 Directions — see our Permitted Development guide) and manages building control sign-off as part of the project saves you from having to coordinate this yourself.

Red flags worth walking away from

• Pressure to pay a large deposit before any contract or written quote exists
• Reluctance to put the scope of work in writing
• No fixed address or company registration you can verify
• Quotes significantly below every other builder you've spoken to, with no clear explanation why

We're a registered company (No. 11775262), based in Dagenham, with our own direct-to-manufacturer supply chain and a 10-year structural warranty on every project. Book a free site visit and ask us every question on this list.