Frequently asked questions

Yes. The home survey and written quote are free and without obligation. We visit, measure up, talk through what you want and check anything that affects the job, such as access, drainage or approvals. Then we send a written quote that sets out the work, the specification, what is and isn't included, and the price. There's no pressure to go ahead.

Each quote is priced from the survey of your home: the measured quantities, the materials and specification you choose, labour time, access, waste removal and any approvals needed. The price is fixed for the agreed specification. If you later change the specification or add work, the change is priced in writing before it is done. Where something can't be priced until it is opened up, the quote says so clearly.

Any deposit and the payment stages are set out in your written quote before you agree to anything. On larger jobs, payments are normally linked to clear stages of the work, such as foundations, roof on or completion, rather than paid all at once up front. You won't be asked for any payment that isn't written into the quote you accepted.

Usually, yes. If you agree the contract in your home, or remotely by phone, email or online, you normally have 14 days to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. For most building work the 14 days start the day after you agree the contract; where the job is mainly supplying goods, they can run from delivery. Your paperwork states exactly when your cancellation period starts and ends. You'll get the cancellation information and a cancellation form with your paperwork. Work won't start within those 14 days unless you ask for it in writing, and an email is fine. If you ask for an early start and then cancel, you pay only a proportionate amount for the work done up to that point. Some made-to-measure goods are treated differently, and your paperwork will say if that applies.

It depends on the job, the time of year and lead times for items such as windows, kitchens or steelwork. Your quote gives a start window and an expected time on site. Some jobs also have to wait for planning, building control or party wall notice periods, and where that applies the timeline is explained before you commit. If anything changes the programme once work has started, you'll be told as soon as we know.

Your quote names your point of contact and who is responsible for the job. Specialist work is done only by people entitled to do it: gas work by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and notifiable electrical work by a registered electrician or with building control sign-off. The quote states who carries out those parts. Before each stage starts, you'll know who is coming and when.

Building work does create some dust and noise, but it can be kept under control. Floors and routes through the house are protected, and the work area is tidied at the end of each day. Your quote states how waste will be removed and whether a skip is needed. Whoever takes waste away must be a registered waste carrier, and you can ask for their registration number. A skip on the road needs a council permit first.

At the survey we'll tell you which approvals your job is likely to need, and your quote sets out who handles each one and whether its fees are included. Building control is needed for most structural work and is usually arranged as part of the job. Planning applications, prior approval and lawful development certificates need drawings first. Party wall notices are served by you as the owner, or by a surveyor you authorise, and we'll explain when they are needed.

We cover the West Midlands: Birmingham, the Black Country (Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton), Solihull and Coventry, plus Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. If you're near the edge of that area, call free on 0800 088 6248 and we'll tell you straight away whether we can help.

Ask us for current insurance details with your quote. It's a sensible question to put to any builder, along with what the cover includes. It's also worth telling your own home insurer before any major work starts, so you know your house and belongings are covered while the work is going on.

Work on that part stops and you're shown the problem before anything else is done. Rotten joists, failed drains, old wiring or materials that may contain asbestos can't always be seen at survey. If something turns up, you get a written explanation of what it is, what needs doing and what it will cost, and the extra work only goes ahead once you've agreed. Any provisional sum in your quote is adjusted to the actual cost and shown clearly.

Tell us first, ideally in writing to info@skjhomeimprovements.co.uk, with photos if they help. Explain what's wrong and what you'd like done, and we'll arrange to look at it with you. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, work must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, and where it falls short you have the right to have it put right. If we can't agree, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 can explain your options, including alternative dispute resolution.

Call free on 0800 088 6248, or use the online quote tool on this website to tell us about your job. You can also email sales@skjhomeimprovements.co.uk. We'll arrange a convenient time to visit for the free home survey, then follow it with your written quote.

No finance is offered through the website. If you'd like to talk about how you'll pay for your project, ask when you call us free on 0800 088 6248, and we'll explain the payment stages that would apply to your quote.