A few specific questions get you much closer to that than a portfolio does.
What to ask
Who will actually be on site and are they employed or subcontracted. How variations are priced and approved. What the payment stages are. Who handles building control and inspections. What happens if something is found on opening up.
Ask to speak to a client from a job that went wrong somehow. Every builder has one, and how they describe it is more informative than a glowing reference.
- Who is on site, and are they directly employed
- How variations are priced and agreed
- Payment stages tied to progress, not dates
- Who manages building control inspections
- Written scope with explicit exclusions
Warning signs
Large deposits before anything is ordered, a verbal-only scope, pressure to decide today, no written exclusions, cash-only discounts, and reluctance to put the guarantee in writing.
A quote that is dramatically cheaper than the others is usually incomplete rather than generous, and the gap reappears later as variations.
What a good quote looks like
Itemised, with a defined scope, explicit exclusions, provisional sums clearly labelled, payment stages linked to progress, and the guarantee terms stated.
Ours also sets out who will be on site and how we handle the things we cannot see until we open up.
Common questions
Should I pay a deposit?
A reasonable payment for materials being ordered is normal. A large up-front sum with nothing ordered is not.
How many quotes should I get?
Three is usually enough, provided all three are pricing the same written scope.
Are references worth chasing?
Yes, especially recent ones for similar work — and ask about how problems were handled, not just the finished result.
What guarantee should I expect?
A written workmanship guarantee, plus the manufacturer warranties on materials and products supplied.