Consumer Advice from Quotation Supermarket
Quotation Supermarket has put together some useful advise and guidance when
choosing trades people, contractors or service providers. We are always looking
for feedback from our customers so if you have any thoughts or ideas please
send them to us by clicking here.
Useful Information Topic Areas:
Finding A Good Trades Person
Adding Value to Your Home
Sample Home Improvement Contract
Planning Permission and Building Regulations
Finding a Good Trades person
When searching for a good trades person you do run the risk of being caught
by a rogue. At Quotation Supermarket we believe that by employing a few simple
procedures you can protect your self and your home form this menace.
Quotation Supermarket is like word of mouth, only bigger and better: you get
instant access to a massive local network of trades people
What Questions should I ask?
Ask your trades person:
• how long have you been in business?
• What qualifications do you have in your trade?
• do you have Public Liability Insurance?
• is your work covered by a guarantee?
If your trades person is a member of a Trade Association then note down details
including any membership numbers. Follow up with a phone call to the Trade Association
direct to check that the details are up to date.
How many Quotes should I get?
Quotation Supermarket makes it easy to get two or more quotes. Although we do
recommend getting five quotes to ensure it’s the best person for you.
Take care to include enough detail in your written job requirement so that each
trades person starts with a good first understanding of your needs.
Once a trades person has agreed to quote then be sure to arrange a visit and
always ask for a fixed price. Make sure that you understand what is included
and whether or not the price includes VAT.
Choose the quote that offers you the best value for money, taking into account
any ratings they have earned for quality, value and reliability.
Sign an Agreement
When using the Quotation Supermarket service you will have a written record
of the job description, start date, duration and the agreed price. Make sure
that these details are completed properly before the work begins.
You may print copies of this agreement at any stage and we recommend that you
and your trades person sign copies before any work is started.
Don't Get Caught by Rogue Trades people
Be wary of adverts that come through your door or directory listings which only
have a telephone number. Anyone can claim to be a builder or decorator.
At all cost avoid the fast-talking trades people who approaches you and 'just
happens to be in your area'. Don't be pressurised into letting them do any work
at all.
Paying for the Work
Stick to these basic guidelines and you should avoid the common pitfalls when
it comes to payments.
Making Payments
We strongly recommend that you avoid paying significant amounts up front, for
instance 'to cover costs of materials' - a reputable trades person should be
able to manage their cash flow. If you do agree to pay a deposit make sure that
the amount is officially receipted and don't pay in cash. On longer jobs, agree
a schedule of payments and make sure that your payment at each stage reflects
the progress made.
Always keep back a proportion of the total payment until the job is fully completed
but
Updated Agreements
For a range of reasons your agreement may need to be revised - your trades person
may uncover unexpected problems or you may decide to alter your requirements.
With Quotation Supermarket you may modify your work description and any aspect
of the agreement so that you always have an up-to-date version, together with
a record of the changes made.
Be proactive: agree any changes to the agreement in advance rather than waiting
until the work has progressed or has been completed. Again we'd suggest that
you keep signed copies of any updates.
Other Paperwork
Ask for a signed invoice for every payment you make. And keep all invoices and
receipts. Do not pay the individual builder, always the company.
What are my rights?
You have basic rights under the law regardless as to whether you have a formal
agreement or not. You can expect the work to be:
• carried out with reasonable care and skill;
• finished in a reasonable time (unless a specific time has been agreed);
• Provided at reasonable cost if you have not agreed a fixed price.
Should I use a contract?
A good contract may help the job run smoothly. It should always contain a job
description, start date, duration and an agreed price, as well as details of
any guarantee or insurance cover.
You have the right to be told, in plain language, all standard contract terms
before you sign and you are not bound by terms that are 'unfair'. In particular
watch out for terms which may:
• allow the trades person to change the terms of the contract without
giving you the right to cancel;
• prevent you from holding back part of the payment if the work is incomplete
or faulty;
• make you lose prepayments if the trades person cancels the contract.
Be sure to check the small-print carefully - once you have signed you cannot
normally back out.
Can I Cancel?
Can I Cancel? Irrespective of any contract you may have cancellation rights,
depending on how you ordered the work you want done. For example, if you have
only communicated via the web or by telephone and mobile
phone (with no face to face meeting) you may have cancellation rights as
long as you tell your trades person in writing within seven days of making an
agreemen
If Things Go Wrong
Many misunderstandings are settled quickly and amicably. Be reasonable, communicate
clearly and stay calm.
Quotation Supermarket helps in two ways:
• you may use the service to send messages directly to your trades person
via email. Copies of each message are kept in the job diary, which gives both
you and your trades person a written paper trail.
• your trades person has an added incentive to help reach a good outcome
- positive ratings from you.
Write to Your Trades person
Give your trades person a chance to put things right - and always put things
in writing. For verbal conversations keep notes. Be direct, clear and reasonable
- say what you want done and agree a deadline. Refer back to the written agreement
to back up your concerns.
You may use the Quotation Supermarket service to communicate or clarify issues
via email and to keep a written record in the job diary.
Managing Delays
If there have been delays in starting or completing the work then tell the trades
person in writing that you will cancel the agreement unless the work is completed
within a stated period. A note that is reasonable, factual and unemotional will
often get things back on track.
Again, you may use the Quotation Supermarket service to send a written message
via email and to keep a written record in the job diary.
Further Advice
If you need further advice then Consumer Direct offers a telephone and online
consumer advice service, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry.
They offer clear, practical, impartial advice to help you sort out problems
and disagreements you may be having with suppliers of a range of goods or services.
Alternatively you may like to contact your local Trading Standards office. Click
here to find your nearest office and for further advice.
Adding Value to Your Home
Your home is probably your largest single asset. Avoid some of the pitfalls
and find out where you could add most value...
Selling your Home? Low Budget Improvements?
When selling your home you want to maximise its market value. A few easy changes
can really increase the appeal of a property, making it sell quicker and if
done correctly for a higher price!
A clean, bright room immediately gives a good first impression. Re-decorating,
pulling up old carpets and hanging a few paintings or pictures to give a room
life can be a very cheap but effective way of making a huge impact. Dated or
worn furniture can be covered with throws and cushions.
Flower boxes and hanging baskets add vibrancy, emphasise the space and make
a house look cared for. From inside a window box can help to hide an unattractive
view and increase privacy.
The costs of replacing a discoloured toilet bowl, making sure all the windows
work or getting rid of dead trees and shrubs are small compared with a large
home improvement project such as adding a bathroom, but can have a big and very
positive impact on prospective buyers. Cleaning up taps and sinks with vinegar
or limescale remover and cleaning grout with specialist cleaners will really
revive a tired looking bathroom or kitchen - the rooms which buyers consider
the most important.
Having a few simple jobs done creates an improved home environment that will
greatly increase the saleability of your property, and may even increase the
potential asking price.
Some basic rules for improving your home:
1. Never improve a house to the point where you need to sell it for more than
25% more than the most expensive of the other houses in the surrounding neighbourhood.
2. Be careful when knocking through walls. Whilst it may provide additional
space it will also decrease the number of rooms – reducing the number
of rooms could reduce the value of the property.
3. Never rearrange the interior of your house in a way that reduces the total
number of bedrooms to less than three.
4. Be aware that you are unlikely to recoup the costs of adding a third bathroom
to a two-bath house.
5. Find out if your improvement / renovation requires planning permission or
building regulation approval.
When to Add Another Bathroom?
An extra bathroom should keep its value, as long as it is not built at the expense
of a bedroom. However if the property is large with at least five bedrooms and
only one bathroom then converting a bedroom into a bathroom may pay off. But
you are unlikely to see your money back if you add a third bathroom to a two-bathroom
house.
Renovating Older Properties
Make sure any improvements are appropriate to the character of the property.
Try to avoid replacing old features - such as stained glass, picture rails and
original skirting boards with modern ones.
Tips on Double Glazing
Double glazing is expensive and you are unlikely to recoup more than a third
of your investment when replacing single glazed windows - though over time you
will save on household heating and electricity bills. Secondary glazing on the
inside of existing windows may be preferable to double glazing for a period
home with original features.
Stripping Flooring
Stripped wooden floors can look attractive and retain less dust than carpets,
but you need to ensure the boards are of good quality.
Installing a New Kitchen or Bathroom
The two most important rooms are the kitchen and bathroom - most developers
agree that money spent on these is money well spent - but you don't need to
spend a fortune.
For kitchens, consider combining standard units with a good quality worktop
and decent appliances - if done well you'll add value to your home.
For bathrooms, have a look at retailers such as B&Q of Homebase who make
their own 'designer' fittings for a fraction of the cost of designer branded
equivalents.
What About Central Heating?
Central heating can be expensive to install in your home but future potential
purchasers may be put off if you don't have it, so you should recoup your money
with this improvement. If you are doing extensive work to the house, consider
underfloor heating which gives an even heat and frees up wall space because
you will not have to install radiators.
Should I add a Garage?
Garages and off street parking are sought after features and will almost certainly
recoup an investment.
Is a Swimming Pool a Good Investment?
A swimming pool may add glamour to your property, but potential buyers may be
concerned about security risks for small children and expensive running costs.
Be warned, a pool may recoup as little as 10% of the initial cost.
Should I increase the size of my loft?
Loft conversions require you to adhere to many regulations and permissions.
The type of loft conversion you can do very much depends on the condition and
structure of your existing property. The majority of lofts can be converted,
giving you an attractive and large additional living space.
Done properly a loft conversion will increase the value of your home considerably.
A future buyer's surveyor will (or should!) check on the permissions for the
conversion, and its compliance with the relevant regulations. Ceilings are designed
only to hold what is already there and even a cold water tank has to have its
own platform within the roof void. Loft conversions are therefore a specialist
job.
Home Improvement Contact
Here at Quotation Supermarket we want to assist you in every aspect of selecting
your contractor. However, even after you have selected the contractor you should
have a contract between yourself and the contractors. Here
you can download a sample contract.
Planning Permission and Building Regulations
The following applies to building projects in England and Wales. For further
information you should contact your local planning authority or visit the Planning
Portal
Please note that planning rules for Scotland differ - check here for more information.
Planning and Building Regulations - Introduction
Before embarking on a building project its always a good idea to contact the
planning department at your local Council. Most Councils will provide, free
of charge, planning and regulation booklets. Local authorities differ in their
interpretations of planning rules so its wise to check your project can proceed.
If you go ahead with your development without the required permission, your
local planning authority can ask you to make a retrospective planning application.
If it decides that permission should not be granted it may require you to put
things back as they were - a costly, time consuming and frustrating exercise.
You can appeal but if the verdict comes out against you and you still refuse
to comply you may be prosecuted.
If you believe you do not need planning permission for your project but it
involves any kind of structural alteration you may still need building regulation
approval.
The planning system is in place to protect land use and the environment in the
public interest. It is not designed to protect the interests of one person over
another. Councils should try to ensure that development is allowed where it
is needed, but without adversely affecting the character and amenity of the
area.
Building regulations ensure that construction work meets at least the minimum
standards of design and stability. They are completely separate from planning
permission and will almost always be required when any structural alteration
takes place, inside or outside the house.
It is always best to tell your neighbours what you intend to do even if you
do not need planning permission, as any work may well cause noise and disruption
to them. They have a right to ask the planning authorities to check your plans
and the Council will then ask them for their views, so it makes sense to be
friendly from the outset! Also bear in mind that not consulting neighbours could
lead to legal problems, for example if your development affects your neighbour's
right to light.
If you are in a leasehold property you should discuss your plans with the
freeholder i.e. the Landlord or Management Company.
The following are examples of when you will need to apply for planning permission.
This is not an exhaustive list so please do check with your planning authority:
You want to make additions or extensions to a flat or maisonette (including
those converted from houses). You do not need planning permission to carry out
work which does not affect the external appearance of the building.
You want to divide off part of your house for use as a separate home, or use
a caravan in your garden as a home for someone else.
You want to use part or all of your home for business or commercial use.
You want to build something which contravenes the original planning permission
for the construction of your house. For example, your house may have a restriction
on garden walls more than 3 feet high to ensure a safe view of the road for
drivers.
Building a New Home
Building a new property almost always requires planning permission. Every area
has a development plan, and reading this should give you a good idea of whether
your plans are likely to be accepted. You can also talk to your local council
to find out the likelihood of a successful application for planning permission,
although no council will guarantee success without a formal application being
examined.
Extending your House
You need to apply for planning permission to extend or add to your
house in the following circumstances:
You want to build an extension which would be nearer to any highway than the
nearest part of the original house unless there would be at least 20 metres
between your house (when extended) and the highway. The term "highway"
includes all public roads, public footpaths, bridleways and byways.
More than half of the area of land surrounding the original house would be covered
by extensions or other buildings.
The term "original house" means the house as it was first built, or
as it stood on 1st July 1948 if it was built before that date. (You may not
have built an extension, but the previous owners may have).
If none of the above rules apply to your proposed extension you may need to
check the height and volume limits. You'll need permission if:
The extension is higher than the highest part of the roof of the original
house, or any part of the extension is more than 4 metres high and is within
2 metres of the boundary of your property (loft conversions and dormers have
separate rules).
For a terraced house, including an end of terrace, or any house in a Conservation
area or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the volume of the original house
would be increased by more than 10% or 50 cubic metres, whichever is the greater.
For any other kind of house: the volume of the original house would be increased
by more than 15% or 70 cubic metres, whichever is the greater. In all cases:
if the volume of the original house would be increased by more than 115 cubic
metres.
In the following circumstances the volume of other buildings, which belong
to your house (garage, shed etc.) will count against the volume allowance. In
some cases this can include buildings which were built at the same time as the
house or existed on 1st July 1948:
If an extension comes within 5 metres of another building belonging to your
house, the volume of that building counts against the allowance for additions
and extensions.
Any building which has been added to your property and which is more than 10
cubic metres in volume and which is within 5 meters of your house, is treated
as an extension of the house and so reduces the allowance for further extensions.
If you live in a Conservation Area or Area of outstanding Natural Beauty all
additional buildings which are more than 10 cubic metres in volume wherever
they are in relation to the house are treated as extensions to the house and
reduce the allowance for further extensions.
Roof Extensions, Loft Conversions and Dormer Windows
You do not normally need to apply for planning permission to re-roof your house
or insert roof lights or skylights unless your building is listed. But check
with the council if you are changing the tile type or colour. You will have
to apply if:
You want to build an addition or extension to any roof slope which faces a
highway.
The roof extension would add more than 40 cubic metres to the volume of a terraced
house or more than 50 cubic meters to the volume of any other house (these volumes
count against the volumes for any other extensions).
The work would increase the height of the roof.
Buildings Separated from the House
You generally do not need planning permission to erect sheds, summer houses,
green houses, swimming pools, ponds, sauna cabins, tennis courts etc unless:
You want to put up a building which is nearer to the highway than any part
of the house.
More than half the area of your land is then covered by additions or buildings.
The addition or structure is to be used for anything other than domestic use.
The building is more than 3 metres high (4 metres with a ridged roof).
The volume exceeds 10 cubic metres and your building is listed or is in any
of the restricted areas.
Fuel and Storage Tanks
You will need planning permission in the following cases:
The installation of a tank for domestic heating oil with a capacity of more
than 3,500 litres or a height of more than 3 metres above the ground.
A tank that would be nearer the highway than any part of the house.
The installation of a tank that stores liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or any
liquid fuel other than oil.
Adding a Porch
You will need planning permission if the porch:
Has a ground area of more than 3 square metres.
Would be higher than 3 metres above ground level.
Would be less than 2 metres away from the boundary of a dwelling house with
a highway including footpath etc.
Fences, Walls and Gates
You will need planning permission if:
The house is a listed building or in the grounds of a listed building.
The fence, wall or gate is more than 1 metre high and next to a traffic highway,
or 2 metres high elsewhere.
Planting hedges and trees must be checked with the local council as there are
sometimes restrictions, in particular to protect the sight line of drivers.
Patios and Driveways
You do not need permission to cover your land with hard surfaces as long as
it will only be used for a domestic purpose. Permission is needed if it will
be used to park a commercial vehicle or to store goods in connection with a
business.
If you build a driveway you will need the permission of the local highways
authority to cross the pavement to your house, and you may well need to pay
to lower the curb of the pavement in front of your house or move lampposts or
road signs which would otherwise be in the way.
Satellite Dishes and TV/Radio Antennae
If you are considering installing a satellite dish or TV/radio antenna on the
outside of your house you should find out whether planning permission is required.
You will also be given advice on the best place to put the antenna to ensure
it is as inconspicuous as possible.
Building Regulations
Building regulations are designed to ensure the health and safety of people
using the building. They must be followed in almost all cases when building
an extension, constructing a detached building, or carrying out maintenance
to your home. Regulations apply when doing electrical work, taking down or building
internal and external walls, replacing doors and windows, installing a boiler,
putting a bathroom or kitchen in a different part of the house, or converting
a loft or cellar etc. If in doubt, check before starting any work.
Other Approvals
Whether or not you need planning permission, there are other approvals you may
need. These are:
Cladding consent is required if you live in a conservation area, a National
Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Broads and you want to clad
the outside of your building with stone, tiles, artificial stone, plastic or
timber. In other areas you will need to check that a restriction has not been
put on your property against the use of these surfaces or others such as pebble
dash.
Listed building consent is required to demolish a listed building or any part
of it or buildings within its grounds. Consent is also needed to alter or extend
a listed building in a way which would affect its character as a building of
special architectural or historical interest.
Conservation area consent is needed if you live in a conservation area and
you plan to demolish a building of more than 115 cubic metres (there are a few
exceptions for which you will get details from your local council). Consent
is also required to demolish a gate, fence, wall or any railing over 1 metre
high next to a highway or public open space, or over 2 metres high elsewhere.
Many trees are protected by tree preservation orders. You must check with
the local council before you make any kind of "alteration" to them.
If any proposed development would obstruct a public path which crosses your
property you must check with the local council immediately. The granting of
planning permission will not give you the right to interfere with, obstruct
or close such a path. A path cannot be legally diverted or closed unless the
council has made an order to do so. This order must be advertised and all objections
will be considered. You may be responsible for providing an alternative route.
Some houses may hold roosts of bats or provide refuge for other protected
species. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 gives special protection to bats.
If they are discovered, English Nature or the Countryside Council for Wales
must be notified of any proposed action. More information on this subject can
be obtained from both of these organisations.