This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England

Some people find the idea of employing a builder stressful, so here are some tips to make the process easier. If you hire an architect or surveyor, they can help you find a builder, and can supervise the ongoing work.

How do I go about looking for a builder?

• Ask friends, family and colleagues for recommendations. Word of mouth can be the best form of recommendation.
• Do your homework. Find out as much as you can about a builder before you agree to go ahead with any work.
• Only hire a contractor who's a member of a recognised trade organisation such as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) - you can find their members listed on the Find A Builder website.
• Go for a builder who's licensed by the Construction Licensing Executive (CLE) (see below).
• Don't hire anyone you don't trust. If you don't feel comfortable about a company or individual, find somebody else.
• Don't let yourself be pressurised into taking someone on. Remember that you'll be employing the builder, not the other way round, so you call the shots. If you're not sure about anything, buy yourself some time by saying you'll think things over and get back to them if you want to go ahead.
• Shop around and get prices from at least three different builders. Remember that an estimate is not the same as a quote: an estimate is just a rough guess, whereas a quote should be in writing and is binding. Remember, the cheapest quote isn't necessarily the best quote.
• Don't be intimidated by jargon. See 'understanding jargon' below for more information on how to tackle this problem.

How can I make sure the builder is right for the job?

• Ask your local building standards department if the builder has done any work in the area before, and if there have been any problems.
• Ask for references from other clients. If possible, speak to people who've had similar work done, to find out how satisfied they are.

How can I avoid problems?

• Insist on a written contract - you can download a sample contract from the UK Planning website.
• Make sure the builder gives you a timetable for the work and a guaranteed completion date.
• Try not to make too many changes to the original plans. If you need to make changes, always confirm them in writing.
• Check that the builder has third party liability insurance, to cover them if they cause damage or injury to anyone whilst working on your property.
• Ask for a warranty for the work, in case there are problems later on. The FMB's MasterBond warranty, for example, costs one and a half per cent of the total cost of the work and protects you for 10 years. If you use a CLE contractor (see below), the work is covered by a free warranty that protects you against bad workmanship.
  

What about payment?

• Ask about payment arrangements. Will you have to pay anything before the work is completed? If you need to pay in stages, make sure each stage is clearly outlined, and don't pay until each stage has been completed satisfactorily.
• Don't make the final payment until you've received a completion certificate from the council.
• Never agree to pay cash without a VAT receipt - you won't have any comeback if things go wrong.

What if I live in a listed building?

If you live in a listed building, you'll need to employ a builder who specialises in traditional building skills, to ensure that the new work blends in with the character and style of your home. Historic Scotland and the planning department can help you find a suitable builder, and you can also use the Find A Builder website for this.

How can I get my head round the jargon?

Builders (and other people such as joiners) sometimes use technical language that can be difficult to follow if you're not familiar with the trade. They're not necessarily trying to confuse you but it can make you feel a bit helpless. It also makes it difficult to understand what work needs to be done to achieve the result you're looking for.

The Trustmark website contains a useful glossary of words and phrases that are commonly used in various trades. The site also contains helpful hints and tips including:

• what to do in an emergency
• what to do if things go wrong.

However, Trustmark doesn't deal with companies in Scotland and you should check out the Construction Licensing Executive (CLE) for this.

What is the Construction Licensing Executive (CLE)?

The CLE was set up in 2002 to take control of the building and other trades. It sets standards for all building and trades in Scotland and operates a licensing scheme for those who meet the standards and stick to them. The main aim is to get rid of cowboys and rogue traders and to make sure customers get good service.

Therefore, if a company is licensed by the CLE, you know that you're getting a reputable company that won't rip you off. If you have any problems with them, you'll be able to complain to the CLE, who'll investigate and help you to sort the situation out.

Some trades have their own independent regulating organisations as well. The CLE have accredited some of these. They are:

• Scottish Building
• Scottish Decorators Federation
• SELECT (for the 'electrotechnical industry'. This covers contractors such as electricians and phone technicians)
• SNIPEF (the organisation for plumbers in Scotland)
• HVCA (Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association).

If an organisation has CLE accreditation, it means that they meet certain standards. More organisations might be added to this list in the future so you should contact CLE direct if you want to find out about a particular organisation. Visit the CLE website to find out more.