The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) has published a new guide with tips for homeowners embarking on building projects.
The SCSI said there has been a steep rise in the number of people renovating their homes or building extensions and it said the guide is designed to help people avoid a range of common pitfalls.
Kevin Hollingsworth, Chartered Building Surveyor and SCSI Vice President, said it is important for homeowners to do their research in advance of any building work.
"Renovation work and extensions don't come cheap – especially with the significant increases we’ve seen over the last 18 months in construction costs," he said.
"So given the sums involved we are always surprised at the number of people who don’t check the references of their contractors and physically review previous jobs they have done," he added.
Mr Hollingsworth said other big misses would include not having a contract or even a written quotation in place.
"This is an important document should anything to wrong. Another common error we see is people paying too much in advance," he said.
Mr Hollingsworth, who was the SCSI representative on a recent Working Group set up to examine defects in apartments, said building standards are there for a reason and cutting corners was a false economy.
"Compliance does cost money, and sometimes people are tempted to reduce the insulation in the walls/floors/ceilings of an extension or remove the airtightness work to make the project happen.
"However, this means that the property will be non-compliant and not as energy efficient as it should be. It will cost the owner more in higher heating bills in the long run," he warned.
"Check the builder's references, agree the scope/standard of the job and sign off on a payment plan in advance," he advised.
The new guide which is entitled 'Engaging the services of a building contractor – a practical checklist' is available at www.scsi.ie.
SCSI top ten tips when engaging a building contractor
1 Planning: Does your extension / project qualify as an exempt development or do you need planning. Check with local authority to establish if you require permission.
2 Grants: If you are undertaking an energy upgrade or restoring a property, there may be grants available. Check with the relevant bodies / schemes well in advance eg Energy Efficient Homes - Home Energy Upgrades And Grants | SEAI
3 References: Ask the contractor for references, review recent work they have done and visit them at their offices.
4 Quotes, Insurance & Contract: Get three detailed quotes and once you've selected the contractor, ask for a copy of their insurance before drawing up and signing a contract. Also notify your insurance provider before works commence.
5 Budget & Payments: Draw up detailed plans and ensure you budget for things like furniture, fittings, professional fees as well as contingencies. Agree a payment plan with the contractor at the outset.
6 Registration: Ensure your builder is registered with Construction Industry Register of Ireland (CIRI) and the Companies Registration Office and that all tradespeople are similarly registered with relevant trade and or professional bodies.
7 Timelines: Agree timeline for start, benchmarks such as installation of key elements and of course a finish date. Find out if you will be able to stay or have to move out?
8 Sustainability: Maximise energy efficiency with regard to glazing, lighting, heating and insulation. As well as being good for the environment, you are future proofing your new build.
9 Regulations: In order to avoid defects, ensure works are inspected at the appropriate time and in compliance with building regulations and building controls.
10 Safety: Is the contractor complying fully with health and safety guidelines. Check the Health Safety Authority website
