Choosing a Builder for Base Laying

Choosing the right builder for a concrete garage base comes down to a handful of checks: get two or three fully inclusive written quotes, never hand over more than a 15–20% deposit, put every detail of the job in writing, and allow time for the concrete to cure before the building arrives. Do those things and the job almost always goes smoothly.

We install over a thousand buildings a year, and most of them go onto bases laid by local builders — so we've seen what separates the good jobs from the painful ones. These are the seven things worth settling before anyone breaks ground.

Always obtain two or three quotes so you can compare prices meaningfully. Just as important: confirm in writing that each price is fully inclusive — labour, materials, skips and VAT. A cheap-looking quote that quietly excludes the skip or the VAT isn't a cheap quote.

Price isn't always the deciding factor. Choose the builder who shows genuine interest in your requirements — the one who asks questions about the building going on the base is the one who'll get the base right.

Ground workers are quieter in the winter months, which can mean shorter lead times and better pricing. If your timetable is flexible, it's worth asking what the same job costs in November versus May.

You should never pay more than a 15–20% deposit, with the final payment due the week of completion. A builder asking for most of the money before starting is a warning sign — decent trades don't need to fund a small base job from your pocket.

The builder needs to understand every requirement of the job — especially the base dimensions and specification the garage supplier calls for. If anything is unclear, have the builder speak to the supplier directly. Our base teams and sales office do this routinely; a two-minute phone call now prevents a base that's the wrong size on delivery day.

Allow at least 5–7 days beyond the builder's estimate before booking your garage delivery. Builders overrun, weather intervenes — and the concrete itself needs a minimum of 5 days to cure before a building goes on it. A base that's finished the day before installation hasn't finished curing.

If you want ramps or mortar fillets, make sure they're specified in writing within the quote. Anything agreed on a handshake has a habit of becoming an extra invoice — or not happening at all.