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Local builder / architect recommendation

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Chalfontonian
Chalfontonian


Joined: 09 January 2011
Location: Over the George
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    Posted: 16 April 2015 at 8:23pm
Dear All,

Perhaps this is not the place for builder /architect recommendations but a number of users often request them so I thought I would advise on a couple of local guys I have recently used.  

To be clear I do not get anything from the following just a warm fuzzy feeling about giving a good recommendation.

We have a small 3 bedroom detached on the Winkers side of Chalfont.  Around a year ago we seriously considered a small extension and started to look around for local architects and builders.

After speaking to around 3 local architects we settled for Richard James who is based in High Wycombe. Whilst the job was only small his eye for detail was absolutely superb.  Our next door neighbour had a similar extension done many years ago, but Richard came up with a design which frankly was better. Richard arranged all the paperwork and spoke to the Council at all the appropriate stage.  Due to my ignorance on a number of issues I needed to contact him out of hours and he was always happy to help. I really feel I got superb value for money with Richard and I cannot recommend him highly enough.

We spoke to around 4 builders to price for the job (which was essentially a shell only), one I had used twice before and 3 other were recommendations.  The prices came in between £8K and £30K(!!!) with the builder who I had used twice previously at around the midway point.

The builder I finally went for was a local builder by the name of David Felton.  Dave has been in business for a number of years and in my opinion is an approachable and very reasonable builder.  At the first visit he listened to what my thoughts on the extention were (I'm arrogant like that!!) and also reviewed the plans and gave his thoughts.  He commented on where he thought we could improve things (with a view to achieving a better final product not making the job easier) and then following our initial chat came up with a prompt quote.

His prompt quotation was similar in price with my other builder and was very detailed confirming what was included, what was not included but just as importantly was on headed paper with a home address. To me this is pretty important.

After finally deciding to proceed with Dave (which was a tough decision as I have a good relationship with our other builder and he was also very competitively priced) he advised us on an estimated date of arrival with good notice.  He arrived on the specified date and undertook exactly what he said he was going to do.  He had a core of good staff that he trustedand then used local tradesmen to undertake some more specialist work.  However, he took responsibility for all of the job and was very firm with local tradesmen when I or he was unhappy.

The job progressed well to timescale and most importantly was what I wanted.  He liased with buiding control taking pressure off myself.  I certainly believe I got a 'full service'  Dave and his team were tidy and did not disappear on jollys or to other jobs.

Towards the end of the work I wanted to descope it slightly to remove the need for a plasterer.  Dave was in full acceptance with us agreeing to descope the job at an appropriate stage and was extremely fair in a reduction of the final bill which reflected the reduction of scope.

Dave did not fail to finish the job like less trustworthy builders may have a reputation for.

I would certainly not hesitate to recommend Dave Felton, I believe the job he undertook was a very neat, tidy job at the price we agreed and above all else he has his name on the van and takes responsibility for all of the work.

Cheers




MV 
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