Building homes for people is a huge responsibility. You’ll need to ensure your work is the best it can possibly be so that clients will have a functional and comfortable place to live for years or even decades. Builders are only human, and sometimes mistakes can be made, so it is critical to take steps to ensure that you and your clients are protected should something go wrong.
This should include finding ways to constantly improve the service you deliver and the skills you and your staff have. You should also look at getting accredited to the highest possible level, ensure that contracts are signed and agreed upon and that you have insurance and warranties to help cover any problems that may arise.
Start With A Written Agreement
Any building work should be undertaken with a written agreement between the parties involved. This will ensure that everyone understands the scope, cost and size of the project and what they can expect from each other. This should be ironed out to every party’s satisfaction before work begins and signed off. Any changes to the work that arise throughout the project should be agreed upon and added to the written contract.
Offer Warranties
A warranty can be a great way to protect yourself and your clients if something goes wrong with the new build further down the line. It can also be an excellent way to attract new clients to your business, as they will benefit from the peace of mind that the warranty offers. A 10-year building warranty can be ideal for the highest level of protection for each party. Consider some of the excellent options from Buildsafe to find the best choice for you and your clients.
Get Quality Training – And Provide It For Staff
You’ll need the best possible skill and construction knowledge to build a home suitable for long-term use and occupation. Any builder knows that the best practices and newest tools and equipment can change day by day, so staying up to date is critical. Consider taking new training courses regularly and reading the latest news to understand changes in the industry that could benefit your business.
If you have staff helping you with construction, you’ll need to ensure they have the best possible level of training as well. When hiring, always look at a candidate’s qualifications and ask questions in the interview to assess their competency.
Take Out Appropriate Insurance
Insurance can help you cover the costs of issues that may arise during or after the construction of a new build home. It can be an excellent way to ensure you aren’t financially damaged by something that goes wrong with the construction, or should the worst happen, and a client brings legal action against you.
It can also help protect you should something happen to one of your employees. Look for public liability insurance and employers’ liability insurance to give you the best possible protection. Always shop around for a good deal on insurance, but never compromise the level of cover for cost.