Estiquote
iPhone app
Menu

Guide for firms

What homeowners check before hiring a builder, and how to show it

Homeowners are told to check experience, references, past work, credentials and insurance, to compare at least three written quotes, and to pay in stages. The Federation of Master Builders gives them a 10 point checklist and Citizens Advice a similar one. A firm that puts the answers in front of them, before they ask, is easier to choose.

By Estiquote · Published · Sources read on 30 October 2026 · Updated

The checklists homeowners use

The Federation of Master Builders’ 10 point checklist for choosing a builder asks homeowners to look at:

  1. Experience: recent work like their project.
  2. References: reviews, and talking to past clients.
  3. Previous work: finished or current jobs they can see.
  4. Credentials: insurance and trade association membership, checked by the homeowner.
  5. Communication: whether you listen and explain clearly.
  6. Detailed quote: in writing, saying what is and isn’t included.
  7. Comparison: at least three like-for-like written quotes.
  8. The team: who manages the job and who will be on site.
  9. Contract: a written contract, timescale and payment schedule.
  10. Changes: how extra costs, snagging and disputes are handled.

Citizens Advice tells homeowners in England to get written quotes from at least 3 traders, to ask for 2 or 3 recent examples of similar work with past clients’ contact details, to check any scheme or trade association a trader claims on that body’s own member list, to ask for proof of qualifications, and to be wary of traders who give only a mobile number. It tells them to pay in stages, avoid paying everything upfront, and, if a deposit can’t be avoided, not to agree to more than 25%.

Our own guides tell homeowners the same: get three quotes, ask for references and compare each quote with our cost ranges.

Show that you’re a real business

  • Limited company or LLP: put your company number on your quotes and website. Homeowners can look it up free on Companies House and see whether you’re active.
  • Sole trader or partnership: there’s no company record, so give your trading name, a business address and a landline or email as well as a mobile.

Show the registrations your work needs

Some work needs a registration by law: gas work needs the Gas Safe Register, taking waste away needs a waste carrier registration, and the most dangerous asbestos work needs a licence. Give the number and the link to the register, so homeowners can check it in a minute. Every rule, by trade and nation: which registrations does your trade need by law?

In England and Wales, if you’re registered with a competent person scheme, say so on the quote and say who notifies the work: homeowners are told to expect the certificate.

Only show a scheme’s logo if you belong to it. Displaying a trust mark, quality mark or equivalent without authorisation is banned (Displaying a trust mark, quality mark or equivalent without having obtained the necessary authorisation. (source)).

Show your insurance

Citizens Advice tells homeowners to check a trader’s public liability, employers’ liability, professional indemnity and contractors’ all risk insurance, as relevant to the job. Employers’ liability insurance: by law, most employers must have this. A firm with no employees, such as someone working alone, doesn't need it. It pays if one of the firm's workers is injured or made ill by the job. Send a copy of the certificate with your quote, or offer it.

Show your past work and references

  • Keep photos of finished jobs, taken with the homeowner’s agreement, without people, house numbers or car number plates.
  • Ask two or three recent customers whether a new customer may call them.
  • Ask every customer for a review in the same way: how to ask for reviews within the law.

Put the price and the terms in writing

A written, itemised quote and a contract with a timescale and payment stages answer three of the FMB’s ten points at once. Our guide how to write a quote homeowners trust covers the layout, VAT, exclusions, payment stages and cancellation rights.

How an Estiquote listing shows it

Firm sign-up isn’t open yet. Once it is, your listing on our map will show each check we did and the date: for example “Checked by Estiquote on 30 October 2026:” and then your company check and registrations, and any insurance and memberships you’ve added as badges. Homeowners will see your photos and website. See what you’ll need to appear: listing will be free while we build the map, with at least 30 days’ notice before any charge.

Sources