The Build Blog
Practical guides, cost breakdowns, and expert tips for UK homeowners planning a construction project.
How to Compare Builder Quotes - The Complete Method
Comparing builder quotes isn't just about price. Here's a complete, step-by-step method for comparing quotes properly - so you pick the right builder, not just the cheapest.
DIY Quote Checking vs Getting Professional Help - A Practical Guide
You can check a builder's quote yourself with the right knowledge. Here's a practical guide to DIY quote checking - and when to get professional help instead.
How to Tell if Builder Reviews Are Real - A No-Nonsense Guide
Not all builder reviews are genuine. Here's how to spot fake reviews, which platforms are most trustworthy, and how to verify a builder's reputation properly.
Free vs Paid Quote Checking - Is It Worth Paying For?
You can check a builder's quote yourself for free. Or you can pay for help. Here's what you get for free, what costs money, and where the real value lies.
MyBuilder vs Getting Your Own Quotes - Which Gets Better Results?
Should you post your job on MyBuilder or find builders yourself? Pros, cons, and costs of each approach - plus what to do once quotes arrive.
AI Quote Checker vs Quantity Surveyor - Which Do You Actually Need?
Should you use an AI tool or hire a quantity surveyor to check your builder's quote? Honest comparison of cost, speed, accuracy, and when each makes sense.
Should I Use Checkatrade to Find a Builder? An Honest Look
Checkatrade helps you find builders, but it doesn't check their quotes. Here's what Checkatrade actually does, its limitations, and what else you need.
How to Check a Garden Room Quote: What's Included, What's Missing
Garden room quotes are notorious for exclusions. Here's the complete checklist of what should be included and the red flags to watch for.
VAT on Building Work: 0%, 5% or 20%? The Complete UK Guide
VAT on building work is 0% for new builds, 5% for conversions and renovations of empty homes, and 20% for most other work. Here's how to check your rate.
What Is a Provisional Sum? Why It Matters in Your Builder's Quote
A provisional sum is an estimated allowance for work that can't be priced exactly. Here's what homeowners need to know and how to avoid cost surprises.
Builder Hasn't Started Work - When Should I Worry?
Some delay between signing and starting is normal. But if your builder has taken a deposit and gone quiet, here's when to worry and what to do about it.
Builder Says I Don't Need Planning Permission - Can I Trust That?
Your builder might be right - but if they're wrong, you're the one who pays. Here's how to check whether you actually need planning permission.
My Builder Won't Give a Written Quote - Is That a Red Flag?
If your builder won't put their price in writing, that's a serious red flag. Here's what a proper quote should contain and what to do next.
How Many Quotes Should I Get for an Extension? At Least 3 - Here's Why
Get at least 3 quotes for an extension, ideally 5. It's not just about price - you're checking whether each builder has understood what you actually need.
My Builder Changed the Price After Starting - What Can I Do?
If your builder has increased the price after work started, here's what's legitimate, what's not, and what the law says you can do about it.
My Builder Wants 50% Deposit - Is That Normal?
A 50% deposit is not normal. Most builders ask for 10-15% upfront. Here's what's reasonable, when to worry, and how to protect your money.
My Quote Doesn't Mention Building Regs - Should I Be Worried?
If your builder's quote doesn't mention building regulations, it might not be dodgy - but you need to ask. Here's what building regs cost and why they matter.
Should I Pay My Builder in Cash? Why It's Riskier Than You Think
Paying your builder in cash is legal - but risky. No paper trail, no receipt, no comeback. Here's why bank transfer is always the smarter choice.
Fixed Price vs Day Rate: Which Is Better When Hiring a Builder?
Should you pay your builder a fixed price or a day rate? We break down the pros, cons, and real-world scenarios - so you pick the right approach for your project.
7 Warning Signs Your Builder Is Overcharging (And What to Do About It)
Is your builder's quote too high or fair? Here are 7 warning signs of overcharging — with real examples, price benchmarks, and what to do about it.
Builder's Quote vs Estimate - What's the Difference?
Quotes and estimates aren't the same thing. One is legally binding, the other isn't. Here's what that means for your building project - and your wallet.
Is My Builder's Quote Too Expensive? How to Tell
How to tell if a builder's quote is fair - cost per m² benchmarks by project type, regional multipliers, and the scope traps that make cheap quotes expensive.
What Should a Builder's Quote Include? The Full Checklist
Got a builder's quote but not sure if it covers everything? Here's the 15-point checklist — plus the items most builders deliberately leave out.
How to Read a Builder's Quote (Without Getting Lost)
A plain-English guide to understanding construction quotes - what each section means, red flags to watch for, and how to compare like-for-like.
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