What Happens After Building Regulation?

Getting to building regulation makes it seem like the end is near and construction will start soon. There are still some things you’ll need to think about before you start making dozens of builder’s brews.

If you’re still waiting for your package to be delivered, here’s what you can expect…

Choosing an expert contractor

We usually recommend waiting until the building regulation is in place before engaging any possible contractors. As a result, you’ll get considerably more thorough technical drawings than you require during the planning phase. Having this extra level of detail, contractors provide you with more accurate bids, so there are no unpleasant financial shocks once the contract has been signed.

Udex Connect can introduce you to vetted contractors in your region when it comes to selecting your ideal builder. Using this gratis service guarantees that our customers only consider the best professionals.

Here are the steps our Connect team recommends for choosing the ideal builder for your project, whether or not you use Udex…

Check the company’s financial records for any questionable behaviour, such as a recent change of directors.
Get three references from previous clients, ideally one from a recent project and one from at least 18 months ago.
Verify the contract they’re utilising; a JCT contract is ideal
Examine the specifics of their quote to ensure that every design aspect has been taken into account.
Examine at least three firms for any discrepancies.
Significantly differing prices or timescales from their rivals might raise suspicions.

Contract signing

You’ll need to finalise the agreement with your selected builder after studying and evaluating a list of contractors. As previously said, you should carefully research the specifics of your contract before signing on the dotted line.

Remember that switching to another contractor will be quite difficult once this contract has been agreed upon. A faulty contract may jeopardise both your house and your finances.

Make sure your contract covers the following items to guarantee it is up to scratch:

A staggered payment plan. A payment schedule in which you release payments based on the achievement of specific milestones is something we strongly advise you to consider. Your foundation, superstructure, roof installation, and other critical project stages should be included in these milestones.
Insurance that covers everything. Public liability, employers’ liability, and developer insolvency insurance are the bare minimums they should have.
Details on the subcontractors they intend to use, as well as assurances that they will do so.
Full explanation of the timescales involved and the consequences of any delays.
An exhaustive list of all the tiny things to consider, such as cleaning, renting equipment, disposing of garbage, and even making preparations for the restroom.

Getting your finances in order

Because construction will take up the majority of your budget, now is an excellent time to make sure you have all of the funds you’ll need. Remember that you should budget at least 10% of that charge as a contingency in addition to the amount the builder has given you. This will safeguard you in the event of any unanticipated delays or complications that occur at work.

If you need to remortgage to fund your project, we recommend going with a professional lender who has previously worked on home improvement projects. They’ll be able to guarantee that the conditions of your remortgage reflect the value you’ll be adding to your house instead of the price it was before the work was completed.

We have our own in-house professional brokers at Udex that can help you get beyond these finance roadblocks.

Getting your house insured

No matter how big or little your project is, you don’t want to take any chances when it comes to building. That’s why having the correct insurance plans in place to protect your investment is critical.

Ensure that your builder is appropriately insured throughout the writing of your building contract. Even if you have these plans in place, you should still think about the following types of insurance for yourself…

Home insurance: When remodelling your home, you will not be protected by your current insurance coverage. You have the option of looking for more coverage elsewhere or requesting an upgrade from your present provider.
Structural warranty: This warranty covers ‘ latent defects ‘ in the construction of the building for a period of ten years.
Life insurance: Life insurance can ensure that your surviving family is not left with any unpaid debts if the worst happens.

Handover

It’s time for your architectural team to hand it over to your construction crew after completing the building regulation package.

Udex provides a two-hour handover service, in which our staff works with your contractors to ensure that they understand the scope of the project before the start date. Our on-call service is also available for additional on-site help at an hourly charge.

Other architectural firms may provide project management services as well. These are often charged as a percentage of the project’s total cost, which means that they may be rather expensive.

getting on-site and Mobilising

You should expect to wait 3-5 weeks for your selected contractor to mobilise before starting work on-site. This might last much longer during the busiest times of the year, such as spring and summer.

Your architectural team will deliver its handover during this period. You’ll probably need to utilise this time to make your own preparations as well. Have you made suitable arrangements for the rooms that may be affected by construction if you want to reside on-site? Similarly, if you’re relocating, this is the time to get situated and relocate your belongings before starting work.

Get a quote today to discover more about your project and get a Udex expert.

Do you need assistance getting your building regulation and also your project started and ready for construction? Our staff is available for free consultations at any time; simply book yours here to get started.