Homeowners warned to check builders credentials

Tuesday, 17 May 2011 10:15 AM

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is warning homeowners to take care when choosing building contractors for repairs and home improvements.

With many households having to tighten their belts thanks to rising fuel costs and food prices, the option of selecting the cheapest builders to carry out maintenance or building work may be a tempting one.

But RCIS – which sets standards in the property and construction sectors – has highlighted the importance of ensuring all builders are properly qualified tradesmen and not cowboys in for a quick buck.

John Reyers, partner at Knight Frank and RICS London spokesperson, said: “We cannot stress enough the importance of using suitably qualified and experienced tradesmen.”

“Good builders are hard to find and are always busy, particularly as more people are extending or adapting their home as a cost effective alternative to moving. Good builders though are worth the wait and worth the extra expense.”
 

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