Testimonials & Case Studies
Finding the Right Contractor for a Home Renovation in North Harrow
Background
A family in North Harrow was ready to extend their semi-detached home, converting a side garage into living space and adding a second floor. They had multiple quotes from contractors, but the prices varied considerably, making it hard to know what they were actually paying for and whether the quotes were fair.
Challenge
The homeowners were confused. Why were the quotes so different? Did it reflect on the builders' quality, or was it simply overpricing? They needed help to make sense of it all. Rather than choosing the mid-range one the decided to call us in.
Our Approach
The Building Guidance Partnership stepped in to help. We set up interviews with the builders to understand what each quote included. During these interviews, we found that one key issue was the garage foundation. Only one builder had factored in the need for a new foundation to support the additional floor, while others had treated it as an "extra” that would be priced later. This could have led to massive additional outlay midway through the project.
Outcome
We helped the family create a detailed specification that clearly outlined every requirement. This allowed them to go back out for quotes, ensuring each builder was pricing the same work. In the end, the family had confidence that they were comparing like-for-like quotes, and we estimate that this saved them at least £20,000 by avoiding unexpected costs.
Conclusion
The homeowners could make an informed decision, avoid costly surprises, and ensure their project started on the right foot.
AP, Stanmore
"We were nearly at the finish line with our major conversion when we discovered none of the building inspections had been completed. BGP came in just in time, identified the issue, and got it sorted. Without their intervention, it would have been a disaster, and redoing some of the work was much better than what could have happened. Saved us from a very costly mistake."
RS, Amersham
"After moving to a new area for our children’s schools, we hired a recommended builder for our home extension. He asked for a £20,000 advance for materials, but then he vanished. We were lost until someone on a Facebook group mentioned The Building Guidance Partnership. They were incredibly supportive, helping us find trustworthy builders and ensuring we didn't make the same mistake again."
M.S., Hinckley
"We started our build without understanding the importance of planning permission. The builder seemed great - he even introduced us to an architect. Everything seemed fine until the Council served us with enforcement notices after completion, and our lender was notified. We spent three stressful years fighting and stressing over this. Eventually, The Building Guidance Partnership stepped in, and their guidance was invaluable. They helped us navigate the council's requirements, and I can’t thank them enough for getting us back on track."
M.S., Camberley
"We’re midway through our build, and having BGP on board has been a game-changer. We struggled at first with comparing builders' quotes - they were impossible to understand. BGP helped us start all over. They prepared a detailed list, and suddenly everything was clear. Without their help things would be much harder. It is about attention to detail."
H.B., Kent
"Living in a small village, we thought hiring a neighbour-recommended builder would be easy, but we learned that checks are a big deal. Midway through our project, we realised the builder did not get inspections done. Thanks to BGP, we got things on track. They helped explain to the builder, and we got all necessary certificates."
L.T., Birmingham
"I have not met Sunil or his team. I only spoke with them on Zoom. I live outside Birmingham, but the consultation was so in-depth. We were clueless about managing a construction project, but they walked us through every step. Knowing we could call them during the build was a huge relief, especially with all the unexpected issues we faced."
J.R., Kingston
"Thank you to BGP for handling our neighbourhood planning consultation. We expected to face objections, but their fact sheet and meeting with neighbours changed everything. We ended up getting full support from our neighbours, which was crucial for our planning approval."
L.M., Kent
"We thought we were ready - builder hired, planning approved, survey done. Then the work started, and we felt overwhelmed. The builder’s approach wasn’t professional, and we needed help fast. The Building Guidance Partnership stepped in, and their advice on managing the builder and risks was precious. Knowing there’s no licensing for builders was a shock, but having BGP guide us through made all the difference."
your building
partner
We’re on this journey with you. We’ve guided many homeowners through similar projects, helping them avoid surprises and make confident decisions.