Renovation Builders Near Me: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring

Choosing to renovate your home is an exciting but significant investment. Whether you are updating a single room or taking on a full-scale renovation, finding the right London builder is essential to ensuring a smooth process and amazing results. However, once you type in “renovation builders near me,” you put yourself in a position to make mistakes.

When you search online for “renovation builders near me,” you will get several results to look through, but not all builders you find will be the best option. Some builders will lack credentials, cut corners, charge more than they quote, or fail to meet deadlines. Without being extra careful, you risk working with the wrong team, which could turn your dream renovation into a nightmare. Here are some of the mistakes that you should avoid when you are looking for a renovation builder:

Not Researching the Company’s Credentials

Building is not something that anyone can do. It’s essential to research and ask questions when searching for renovation builders. For instance, you should check licenses, certifications, and any accreditations.

Here at Build Abode, for instance, we list all of this on our website. We ensure everyone knows that Jessica, our Design Director, is a RIBA and ARB-accredited architect, for example. We also invite our clients to verify our credentials using services like TrustMark, a government-endorsed quality scheme. If you hire a builder who doesn’t have good credentials, you could receive subpar work.

Don’t Ignore Reviews from Former Customers

Online reviews matter when searching for “renovation builders near me.” If you are considering a builder with many poor reviews, even if they have many good reviews, you should use caution.

It’s also important to look for “red flags” in reviews. Claims of unfinished work, added expenses, or even poor craftsmanship should be avoided at all costs.

Instead, it’s best to work with companies like Build Abode, which has 5/5 stars on Google and 4.9/5 stars on Houzz. We have also won “Best Of” awards from Houzz in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025.

Don’t Make the Mistake of Choosing a Builder Based on Price, Alone

You will almost always get a few quotes from companies when looking for builders. However, remember that the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best option. Those who give you the best quote often end up adding additional costs throughout the project.

Here at Build Abode, we offer transparent pricing from the start, so you will always know the cost of a renovation.

Always Get a Contract

Some people in London hire renovation builders without signing a contract. This is a huge mistake. A verbal agreement almost always leads to a dispute, which can lead to massive issues as the project progresses. Homeowners often have unfinished projects and no builder to finish the job. At Build Abode, we never work without a contract. Every contract includes essential elements like a timeline, payment schedule, materials, etc.

Check for Insurance and Warranties

Another mistake people make when hiring a renovation builder is not checking for insurance or warranties. If something happens during the project, you don’t want to be held responsible. Liability should fall on the builder, not the customer.

At Build Abode, we are very serious about insurance. When you work with us, you can rest assured that our cover exceeds industry norms. We are backed by £10M Employers Liability Insurance and £5M Public Liability Insurance.

Overlooking Communication Practices

Sometimes, when you hire a builder, you won’t hear from them for days or weeks. This is certainly a bad practice. You also might find that the builder you choose doesn’t return messages or calls or give vague answers when you ask a question.

With Build Abode, you never have to worry about that. We set up a WhatsApp group that includes all of the important people working on your project. We send photos and videos as we work, and we are always prompt at answering questions.

Don’t Believe an Unrealistic Timeline

At Build Abode, we always give clients a realistic timeline before we start a project. Though unexpected delays can happen, since we have amazing ways of communicating with our clients, you will know the moment we know.

Some builders don’t set a realistic timeline, believing that if they say they can finish a project quickly, it will give them an advantage. However, this often leads to a longer wait and many delays.

Not Visiting the Builder’s Office Site

Any good builder should be happy to allow clients to visit the office. We are just a phone call away, and we invite all our clients to make an appointment, come in for a coffee, and talk to us about their project. We are conveniently located in Stockley Park and are happy to have you.

Contact Build Abode Today for a Complimentary Consultation

If you are ready to start your renovation project, make sure you work with a good, trustworthy team. Build Abode is the best option. With many years of experience, amazing reviews, efficient communication, and, of course, full insurance coverage, why would you choose another renovation builder?