How to Tell That Your Builders are Doing a Great Job on your Home Extension: 5 Key Signs

When you’re investing in a home extension, whether it’s to add more space, boost property value, or enhance your lifestyle, choosing the right builders is crucial. But how can you tell if your project is truly in good hands?

At Collard Brickwork, a trusted construction company located in West Sussex, we’ve had 35 years to see the difference expert workmanship can make—not just in the end result, but throughout the build process. Here are 5 telltale signs your builders are doing a great job, so you can rest easy knowing your home is being built with care and precision.

1. Clear Communication from Day One

A professional builder will provide clear timelines, cost breakdowns, and answer all of your questions thoroughly before work even begins. Throughout the home extension project, they should keep you updated on progress, potential or current issues, and the next steps of the construction project.

You should be looking for:

• Detailed quotations

• Regular progress updates

• Easily contactable via phone or eMail

A builder with the right knowledge to complete your home extension project should always have the answers OR know someone who does. In reality, nobody is perfect.

You shouldn't expect your builder to approve every request you have, especially if your project has already started. Although difficult to see, this can be a sign of a quality tradesman. Nobody likes to deny clients what they want, which is why its important to have a concrete plan from the start of your project.

A quality tradesman will know the limits of your build in regards to time and budget limitations, usually if you're notified that something isn't possible, it's for a good reason.

At our Chichester based construction company, transparent communication is the cornerstone of every successful construction project.

2. Safe and Organised Worksite

A tidy, well-organised worksite isn’t just about aesthetics - it’s a strong sign of professionalism and respect for your property. Skilled builders will take care to minimise disruption as we do at Collard Brickwork. Taking on a home extension project can be incredibly disruptive to your daily life, which is why its important to keep your site tidy & organised.

You should be looking for:

• Safely organised tools & materials

• Well defined and organised work areas

• Correct signage (especially on public footpaths)

A tidy and well organised site not only reduces the risk of injury, but helps you to know that your builders take pride in their projects, by making sure that your project is running as efficiently as possible.

Whether it’s a major home extension or structural brickwork repair, site safety should never be compromised, no matter the size of the project.

3. Quality Workmanship - Anyone can tell!

Even to the untrained eye, you'll often be able to tell when something doesn't quite look right. Attention to detail is the hallmark of experienced builders.

For example, here's two examples of poor quality, and good quality brick pointing:

Here we can see a poor example of brick pointing.

Examining the edges, you'll be able to see that the mortar was too wet when applied, and as a result has seeped onto the brickwork.

When comparing the pointing to the existing brickwork on the right hand side, you'll also notice how the colour is poorly matched.

When looking at it without a comparison, this may be difficult to spot for some.

That's why it's always important to compare your project to similar ones!

Here we see an example of better quality brick pointing.

Not only is there minimal mortar bleed onto the brickwork, but the colour is more closely matched to the existing brickwork creating a seamless, weathered look on brand new pointing work.

To the untrained eye, it mat be difficult to see these differences, which is why it's so important to compare to other high quality work.

Before this however, always ask your builder! They should be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

It may be difficult to tell the difference between a 'decent' job and a 'great' job, but tools such as Google, forums, Facebook groups etc are full of people who are willing to help.

Our team of Chichester builders always takes pride in delivering premium craftmanship, whether working on a bespoke home extension or a small structural repair.

4. They Stick to the Agreed Timeline

While some delays can be unavoidable due to weather or supply issues, good builders will still stick closely to the timeline they originally provided - or keep you informed if something changes.

You should be looking for:

• Realistic project schedule

• Regular updates at necessary intervals

• Efficient use of time, labour and materials

Home extensions don't have to drag on, our 30 day extension guarantee allows for your project to be managed by experts from start to finish, whilst being completed in a fast, but realistic time frame.

5. Make Sure to do Your Own Checks

Before even starting a project, make sure to vet your builders. This should include looking over their online footprint (reviews, website, social media), asking for a portfolio or references, and making sure that their quotations are thorough and detailed.

You'll also want to verify that any contractor which you choose is fully insured to carry out any planned works on your property. If you've taken our advice, then you should be on the way to picking yourself out a top quality contractor in your area. However, accidents can always happen, no matter how hard you prepare for them, which is why it is always necessary to choose a contractor with the correct insurance.

At the very minimum, they should have both Public Liability and Employers Liability insurance up to £2.5 million.

These are just a few tips to help guarantee your home extension project goes smoothly. Always remember, professionalism starts before the shovel hits the ground.