Hello all

I am working on a new Channel 4 documentary series which explores the relationship between builders and their clients with the working title ''Dont Blame the Builder''. I have permission from the team to post on this forum and was wondering if anyone would like to get in touch regarding involvement in our programme?

The series is about the problems that can often arise on domestic building projects as a result of a breakdown of communication between clients and their builders. This is a common problem and can prove a real nightmare for both parties concerned. Unfortunately people are always blaming the builders but can it always be their fault? What about clients who have unrealistic demands, constantly change their minds or just can’t make a decision and don’t take your advice?

We’re looking for builders who are experiencing a breakdown in communication with the client on a current project and need some help to get it back on track. We will offer the services (for free) of an industry expert to work with the homeowners and the builders to help resolve any problems. The programme is a great opportunity to reach an amicable solution that gets everything running smoothly again for all concerned. The first two episodes reached a successful conclusion for both parties concerned and I am confident that we can achieve the same result the third time around.

If you are locked in a stand off with a client or are finding it difficult to cope with their constantly changing demands please contact me for an informal chat or email me details.

Fiona 0207 907 0869 or fiona.wilson@betty.co.uk

Posted By: betty_tvbreakdown of communication between clients and their builders

So this is the area of the widespread practice of client going direct to builder, and the equally widespread myth that any building project is going to end up costing at least twice as much as originally intended. In that respect, what universally happens isn't so much a breakdown in communication between client and builder (though the client will hopefully be left with that impression), as a technique that builders openly regard as legitimate - to quote low, in order to secure the job, safe in the knowledge that all sorts of 'unforeseen extras' will be 'discovered' and most advantageously priced, once the client has no choice but to accept. I'm sorry if this affronts builder correspondents on this forum who have higher principles than this, but it can't be denied that it's the near-universal basis of most householder clients' experience of commissioning building work. My guess is that this programme, which I haven't seen, plays right into this groove, whilst studiously avoiding naming the game.

I know of one heating and aircon firm that do large commercial works. They employ a 'spec buster' after securing the contract by pricing low, the spec buster pulls the architects design to pieces proving it doesn't work and then submits a working design at a higher price. The architects are in the wrong, but the customer loses.

Posted By: Darento price what is put on the drawings and not get a clearly defined spec from the client

If the client goes direct to the builder, the builder has three honourable options:
1) question the client and clarify everything until he's satisfied that all is fully defined, with no later comebacks (apart from genuine unforeseens like finding a well, for which a contingency sum is built into the quote),
2) insist that the client employs a designer to prepare full in formation and come back when that's done,
3) refuse to price if full information can't be got.
Those are all fine ways of losing the job to a less scrupulous competitor, so it must be really difficult for builders to stay honest.