Finding a good tradesperson

There are three levels of tradesperson available to you.

The first is a person who specializes in a particular trade such as bricklaying.

The second is more general (often called a general builder) and will take on projects requiring multiple skills. Much work will be sub-contracted and these builders will typically then project manage the work of others.

These builders have often grown from being tradespersons themselves (commonly bricklayers or carpenters).

The third is a house builder who can be trusted to deliver a complete package from a set of plans and a specification. This person is again often a tradesperson but may also be a professional person associated with building, such as a surveyor or engineer.

Key Tip: Word of mouth is important in finding a good tradesperson. One way to do this is to use one trusted tradesperson to nominate one or more in other fields.

This way, you can quickly form a network of trusted people all recommended by people who are good tradesmen themselves!

Finding a good designer

The prospect of finding a good designer, particularly for commercial projects is a challenge. As a rule, architects prefer to be expressive in their design rather than to think commercially.

Few designers have an intimate enough knowledge of building or of sales value that they fully appreciate how to design a home that maximises future profit.

If that is your goal, you must be armed with the knowledge contained later in this book. It will be up to you to steer your designer in the direction you want to go.

Three key ways to find the right designer:

1. Consider architects, designers, surveyors, drafters or pretty much anyone who can use CAD and has previously designed houses. It's not about title, it's about talent.
2. Map out your needs according to this book and discuss these with each prospective designer.
3. Make sure they listen to you AND offer input to the scheme themselves.

It will become pretty clear very quickly as to who to work with.

Finding a good surveyor

Follow these simple tips:

1. Look for someone who has done some building themselves and has a lot of practical hands on experience.
2. Ask to attend the survey and provide a list of questions that you will want answers to.
3. Look for someone who is receptive to your concerns.

Finding a good estate agent

They come in all shapes and sizes. Your interest is in finding an agent who will work with you towards designing a good scheme. They will do this because they see a long-term relationship forming.

Here's what you need to bear in mind:

1. Find someone who wants to help you because you may be offering them future business.
2. Look for a demonstrated understanding of the market in your area.
3. Quiz them about buyer preferences and the likely buyer types for your property.
4. Look for suggestions on things that will push the value of your property higher.
5. Finally, ask them how they would pitch your property to prospective buyers.

Do I need a project manager?

If you feel at all anxious about managing your project, then by all means try recruiting a project manager. Expect to pay from £2,000-£20,000, depending on the hours this person will spend on the job and the exact role.

Key Tip: If you hire a project manager, try to recruit locally if you can. Managing a job from a distance is an extra challenge for the best of experts

Project managers will typically be either:

• Architects
• Surveyors
• Building degree graduates
• Engineering graduates
• Former construction site supervisors

Choosing one profession over another will not improve your chances of getting the right manager for you and your project.

Choosing a project manager

Generally, good project people are:

1. Technically competent
2. Good with people
3. Very disciplined
4. Able to see the wood for the trees

Three top tips on finding a good manager:

1. If a person dresses well, seems well-organised and drives a clean vehicle they will probably fit the bill in terms of being disciplined.
2. Ask about some of the technical topics in this book. Read a small piece of the building regulations and test their knowledge by referring to it.
3. Make your own judgement about how they are with people. See if you can visit them on site. Their contractors should respect them.

Key Tip: A project manager has to step in and out of the action. The highly disciplined, techie type will have no problem being immersed in the detail in the same way as the dealmaker is always looking at a wider picture.

You are looking for evidence of attention to detail AND an imagination that can see beyond the day.

Recruit based on the above criteria and your instincts, then write a co-accountable contract.

Lining up suppliers and negotiating the best prices

As a general rule, follow these tips:

Don't assume that because you are offered 40% off list price that you are getting a good deal.