How to Choose a Builder in Leeds

Few UK cities have quite as much housing variety within a few miles as Leeds does - genuine back-to-back terraces, conventional Victorian through-terraces, and larger suburban housing around Roundhay and Horsforth. A builder who's excellent with one isn't automatically right for another, particularly given how differently a back-to-back needs to be approached.

Ask specifically about back-to-back experience if relevant

If your property is a genuine back-to-back, ask directly whether the builder has worked on one before - the lack of a rear elevation changes what's possible for extensions and loft conversions in ways that catch out builders used to standard terraces.

Before you commit

• Public liability insurance - see the actual certificate.
• Recent, verifiable reviews - ideally with photos, from contactable customers.
• A written, itemised quote - labour, materials and provisional sums separated out.
• HMO experience if relevant - given how much of Leeds's terraced stock is let to students, a builder familiar with HMO licensing requirements can save real time.

Compare like with like

Give every builder the same written brief. A wide spread between quotes for identical work usually means one has missed something.