Choosing a renovation company is one of the highest-value decisions most homeowners make, and the differences between contractors are rarely obvious from a quote alone. These ten questions are designed to surface the things that actually predict whether a project goes well, based on what we see go wrong when homeowners come to us after a bad experience elsewhere. If you are still at the shortlisting stage, start with our guide on how to find a good builder in Manchester.
The 10 Questions
Are you a member of a recognised trade body?
Why it matters: Trade body membership, such as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), isn't just a badge, reputable bodies independently vet a company's financial standing, trade skills and customer references before awarding membership, and require annual re-vetting to maintain it.
Are your trades directly employed or subcontracted?
Why it matters: Subcontracted trades can still do good work, but it adds a layer between you and the person actually on site, and makes accountability harder if something goes wrong. You're entitled to know who will physically be in your home.
What insurance do you hold, and can I see proof?
Why it matters: Working with an uninsured contractor leaves you personally exposed if something goes wrong on your property. Public liability insurance is the minimum; employer's liability matters too if they have staff.
Can the price in my quote change once work starts?
Why it matters: This is the single question that exposes the most risk. A contractor who won't commit to a fixed, written price is the most common source of disputes and budget overruns in renovation projects.
Who is my actual point of contact during the project?
Why it matters: A named, reachable individual — not a general enquiries line or rotating staff — is what makes problems get solved quickly instead of disappearing into an inbox.
Are gas and electrical trades properly registered?
Why it matters: Gas Safe registration is a legal requirement for any gas work, and Part P certification is required for domestic electrical work. Non-compliant electrical work can void your home insurance and cause problems at resale.
What happens if something goes wrong during the project?
Why it matters: Every renovation occasionally hits an issue. What separates a good contractor isn't avoiding problems entirely — it's having a clear, fast process for resolving them.
Can I see evidence of completed projects, not just photos?
Why it matters: Curated photos on a website are easy to produce. Real case studies with locations, real verified reviews, and ideally an offer to speak to a past client are much harder to fake.
What exactly does the written quote include?
Why it matters: A one-line total tells you nothing. A fully itemised quote — broken down by trade and material — is what lets you actually compare quotes from different companies on a like-for-like basis.
What guarantee do you offer once the work is finished?
Why it matters: A guarantee in writing, with a clear duration, tells you the company stands behind its own work after they've been paid — not just before.
A Note on How We Answer These Questions
We've written the "good answer" examples above to reflect how we actually operate — all trades directly employed, £2 million public liability insurance, fixed written quotes, and a 10-year guarantee on every project. You can verify every one of these independently rather than taking our word for it. Read more about our accreditations and team, or see how our process works on any of our service pages.
Use This List, Whoever You Hire
Even if you don't choose us, asking these ten questions of any company you're considering will tell you more about how a project will actually go than any glossy brochure. The companies worth hiring answer clearly and quickly. The ones to be cautious of hesitate, deflect, or can't produce documentation when asked. Get a free site survey from us if you'd like to compare a real, itemised quote against what else you're being offered, or browse completed projects across Greater Manchester.
Planning a whole-property project? Our full house renovation service in Manchester is built around these questions: one in-house team, one programme and a fixed price in writing.