Find the right builder for your extension
Join 4,600+ UK homeowners who've matched with vetted builders, received expert guidance, and protected their projects with Resi.
Match with curated, vetted builders
Expert support reviewing proposals
100% free service
Optional insurance and payment protection for added peace of mind
How we help you build better
Professional tender comparison
We offer free tender review appointments, giving you impartial, expert advice to help you compare builders' proposals like-for-like, so you can choose with confidence.
Trade discounts, on tap
We can help you save on fixtures and finishes — from tiles to taps. Just ask our Connect Concierge team about the exclusive deals and discounts we have with leading suppliers.
1100 stunning extension projects
All completed by builders we introduced
How do we compare?
You won’t get spammed by dozens of unverified accounts
How it works
Resi isn't your typical 'find a tradesperson' experience. We provide a vetted shortlist of quality builders and help you compare proposals like-for-like.
Why is Resi free?
Our core services - design reviews, vetted builder matching, tender comparisons, and Resi Concierge - are completely free. We're funded by a small commission from builders we introduce to projects.
Where are these builders anyway?
How do we vet them?
Each Resi building contractor must pass the following vetting checks. We only work with builders who meet these criteria
Protect your project
confidence built in
Payment protect
Keep your money safe and your project on track
- Project funds are held in a secure, FCA-regulated escrow account.
- Payments are only released when you're satisfied and sign off each completed milestone.
- If anything goes wrong, you're backed by independent dispute resolution support.
- Includes unlimited mediation, plus independent Quantity Surveyor assessments, with on-site visits if needed.
- Contractors agree to this payment and adjudication process from the start, so expectations are clear.
Small service fee applies
Renovation insurance
Key cover, exclusive rates
- Standard home insurance often won't cover renovation work. Having building work may even void your policy.
- Bolt-ons often miss key risks like structural damage or theft. That's why dedicated renovation cover matters.
- This is specialist cover, provided by one of the UK's leading renovation insurance providers.
- Flexible policy options to suit your project, from small updates to full-scale builds.
- Resi customers receive 25% off broker fees with no admin costs.
Selecting the right contractor
Regardless of whether you use Connect or chose to source a builder on your own, the Connect team always recommend that you follow these steps...
Check their finances
It’s important that you take the time to do a financial background check on your builder’s company.
If you see any changes to the directors, this could be a red flag the company may have filed for bankruptcy in the past.
Check the details
When it comes to your quote, the devil is in the detail.
A good contractor should break down their pricing so you can check every design component has been properly accounted for.
If your quote is too vague, ask your builder to be more transparent with their numbers or seek a construction consultant to guide you.
Customer references
At a minimum, you should speak to at least two previous clients.
One from 6 months ago and another from 18 months ago.
This should help give you an honest overview of your contractor’s current work practices, as well as showing how their work stands the test of time.
To be extra thorough, we also recommend speaking to a client that’s currently onsite to help round out your understanding of a contractor’s product delivery.
Contracts and insurance
Ask your contractor which contract they’ll be using.
We always recommend homeowners go for a JCT contract, as this provides the most security and accountability.
This is recommended by RIBA and is recognised throughout the industry.
Protect yourself with the right payment plan
We recommend you agree to a payment plan that has you releasing funds when milestones have been met.
These milestones should be the key stages of the build, such as your foundations, superstructure, roof installation, etc.
This will ensure the builder is the one funding the project, while also letting you stay in control of quality throughout construction.
If you can perform quality checks at each milestone, this will provide further protection, and something a project manager can do on your behalf.
Look for anomalies
Watch out for those ‘too good to be true’ quotes and turnarounds.
Often, when a project is priced significantly lower than its counterparts, it can be a sign that key details have been left out - likewise with super quick time estimates.
Will you work well together?
How did you get on with the contractor? The rapport between you will be just as important to them as it is for you.
A lot of contractors are busy and if they’re offered two potential contracts of similar value and start date, their decision will then be based on the relationship with the client.
After all, construction takes time and plans are liable to change.
Having a good working relationship will make their job that much easier, as it will yours.
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Resi Design Ltd. trading as 'Resi' | Company No: 10471125
We are proud to employ architects registered with the Architects Registration Board and were awarded the mark for The Mayor's Good Work Standard for fair pay & conditions, wellbeing, skills, progression, diversity and recruitment.