Thumwood Construction Review
When we first started requesting quotes for our extension, we did the usual and found builders on Checkatrade because that has worked well for us for other smaller trade related jobs. However, we also asked around and kept an eye out for other building projects going on around the area. It was after seeing Thumwood Construction signs on a few projects that we contacted Henry. Thumwood Construction appeared to be a popular builder.
When we met Henry our first impressions were very positive. His calmness and patience gave us confidence that here was a guy who would be up to the challenge of a fairly complex build. Henry answered our questions and gave examples of how he had dealt with the sort of issues we expected to face. He also arranged to show us a previous build similar to ours.
To any readers, it is very important to see previous work by the builder one is thinking about appointing. Another builder we were previously thinking about using didn’t meet with our satisfaction when we saw their previous project. Henry’s previous project was similar to ours and finished to a great standard. Our house had been built by a master builder and has a high-quality finish. We wanted someone who would be as good.
After discussing details and finalising the quote, we decided to proceed with Henry even though he wasn’t the cheapest. In fact, Henry’s quote was around the middle of all the quotes we received, but importantly it was realistic pricing. It was his calm manner and the quality of previous work that decided things for us.
Henry’s guys started the project in August and the first two weeks they worked while we were away. They moved many heavy plant pots from the patio and dug up and potted other plants and trees we wanted to keep. By the time we came back from holiday the pace of work was increasing.
The first thing we noticed is that Henry’s core team, Steve, Mark, Jed, Nathan, Luke and Lewis, are a super nice, great bunch of guys who take pride in their work. Nothing too big and nothing too small for them. They turned up everyday at 07:45 for the duration of the project. One often hears about builders starting a job and then disappearing for days. Henry was clear that wouldn’t happen, and he was true to his word.
As mentioned earlier, ours is a complex build with a few challenges. Henry worked with Building Controls to work out the best way to tackle the issues. There was a lot of structural work and it has been done methodically well.
It is worth noting that Henry knows quite a few suppliers. We recommend listening to him as his suppliers were often cheaper than those we found. An example of this are the rooflights: Henry saved us several hundred pounds with his supplier.
With a complex build the main issue is in the coordination of material and work. Henry managed this brilliantly, even scheduling work around the delivery of the kitchen, which was not in his control. We gave him a date when the kitchen would arrive, and Henry did the rest.
The kitchen was a big project all by itself. Our kitchen supplier didn’t deliver all the parts and we had to chase several times to get the outstanding bits delivered. Henry’s guys were brilliant and just got on with other stuff. Lewis even had to re-do some of his work to get the units to fit properly. Really good job there.
Henry uses subcontractors for parts of the work, but all his guys are great. Henry has obviously vetted them carefully and they all know their business and all are great people to work with. The build has taken the best part of 7 months and it’s great that it is complete and we can start using it. At the same time there is a bit of sadness that we won’t see the guys again because one builds a rapport with them because they’re here every day.
The end result: fantastic! Henry and his team have turned the architect’s vision into exciting reality. Where things weren’t clear on the drawings and we had leeway, Henry discussed options with us and made sure we were satisfied. The quality of the build has been remarked upon by several people who have seen it. The quality of the brick work and the rest of it matches that of the existing house. Also important is that Henry stuck to his quote. The final build cost more than the original quote, but that was because we changed a few things.
I suppose the final test is whether one would use the same builder again. Would we have chosen Thumwood Construction if we had to do the whole thing again, knowing what we know now? Yes, definitely. Would we recommend Thumwood Construction? Yes, most definitely.