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What to check before choosing a builder, accepting a quote or starting work. Read it in ten minutes.
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Independent guidance for homeowners
Planning building work? Understand what you're buying before you spend thousands.
The Construction Clinic helps UK homeowners make better decisions before and during an extension, renovation or building project — choosing a builder, reading a quote, handling changes and knowing when to pause. We are not builders bidding for your job.
- Free
- No sales pitch
- 12+ years on site
- HXL Construction
Free guidance · no obligation · no sales pitch · for UK homeowners.
Where would you like to start?
Free live session
Ask a Builder — Free
Bring your plans, your quote, or the question keeping you awake. Live, online, no sales pitch.
Online · 90 minutes · live Q&A
Tools
Check where I stand today
Quick checks for readiness, protection, quotes and payments, with your next steps.
No account needed
Not sure where to start?
Most homeowners begin with the free checklist — it tells you what to have in place at your stage, whether you are planning, comparing quotes or already on site.
What we'll cover
Practical answers to the questions homeowners usually only ask after something has gone wrong.
See the five topics
- 1
Before you choose a builder
What to have in place before you ask anyone for a price — so quotes are comparing the same job.
- 2
Why three quotes can still mislead you
Without a detailed scope, builders may be pricing different versions of the project. The cheapest or middle quote is not always the best comparison.
- 3
Where budgets really go wrong
Hidden assumptions, omissions, provisional sums, late changes and decisions made too late.
- 4
What is normal during a build — and what is not
Delays, variations, payment requests, communication and the warning signs worth acting on.
- 5
How to stay in control without becoming the project manager
What homeowners actually need to track and decide — and what you can safely leave to the professionals.
Most homeowners get this wrong
Most homeowners are told to get three builder quotes and compare the prices. But if each builder is working from different assumptions, you are not comparing three prices for the same job — you are comparing three different projects. One may include structural steel, another may exclude plastering, another may guess foundation depth. The expensive mistake often starts before a builder is even appointed.
If you're planning, pricing or already building, bring the question you're not sure who to ask.
Why is this free?
Because the questions come before the project.
The Construction Clinic was created because too many homeowners begin building projects without somewhere independent to ask basic questions first. These sessions are part of our mission to help homeowners make better decisions before problems become expensive ones.
There is no requirement to use HXL Construction, join the Clinic or buy anything afterwards.
Meet Eddie
The builder you will hear from
Eddie has spent years on site delivering extensions, loft conversions and full refurbishments for families across London. He answers the questions homeowners are often nervous to ask about money, quality, timing and what is reasonable to expect, calmly and in plain English.
Behind the Clinic
Founded by Reisa Malaj, Managing Director of HXL Construction, Quantity Surveyor & Commercial Manager, and Director of Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce.
- 12+ years
- Construction experience on live UK projects
- HXL Construction
- Established construction business behind the Clinic
- Constructionline Gold
- Accredited supplier status
- CHAS accredited
- Health and safety accreditation
- Award finalist
- SME London Business Awards, Family Business of the Year finalist
- Local recognition
- Hillingdon Business Awards, finalist recognition
Explore The Construction Clinic
Learn how the Clinic supports homeowners from their first idea through to handover.