Wondering how to choose a builder? Selecting the right builder for your new house is the most important thing you can do to make sure your home building experience goes well. The trouble is there are so many builders out there that it can be overwhelming to pick a good builder for your dream home. In this article, we’re going to give you an idea of what goes into choosing a builder. For example, different builders specialise in different things, so even an otherwise excellent builder might not be a perfect fit for your project.
Finding the right builder can be time-consuming, but it’s worth doing the due diligence. Remember, you’re spending hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars on this project, and choosing the right builder for your new home will make a big difference in how things go. To put it another way, mistakes mean extra costs, so best to make a few of them as possible. Having someone on your side will go a long way to avoiding the pitfalls and mistakes that are all too easy to make. Buildi knows the building game and can guide you through the process.
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Get the most out of your budget and compare prices
Knowing your budget and having a realistic, honest idea of what you can afford will go a long way to avoiding problems. There are builders who specialise in homes for first-time buyers, mid-range family homes, custom homes and high budget luxury homes.
The cheapest option isn’t always the best choice. We all love to save some money but not if it means the builder is cutting corners to do it! If a price seems too good to be true, be wary. It could be a sign the builder is trying to stay afloat. Getting an amazing price only for the builder to go bust halfway through construction, that’s not much of a deal.
Inclusions
No matter what the cost, be sure you understand what you’re paying for. Here are a few items that are commonly not included in a complete construction, so you’ll need to clarify this as early as possible:
- Driveways
- Landscaping
- Hot water and gas supply
- Garage doors
- Light fittings
- Roof insulation
The key is to look for value rather than just the lowest number. If your affordable house has problems down the line that you need to fix, the initial saving won’t have been worth it. A lot goes into a build, so it’s important to know exactly what services your quote covers. Things like inclusions can vary a lot, and some of what you saw in the display home might not come as standard.
Be sure you understand what exactly you’re paying for. This is where a good rapport with your builder will go a long way. If your builder mentions something and you don’t know what they mean, ask them to clarify! You don’t want to say yes to something expensive just because you were worried about looking like a novice.
Buildi is can run through your building contract with you and help give you peace of mind. Contact us today!
Look into builder reviews & testimonials
Seeing what past and current clients have to say about their experience is a good starting point when choosing a builder. Don’t just look at the reviews and testimonials on the home builder’s website. Look at impartial websites like productreview.com.au. You can also speak to us at Buildi for a more accurate picture of a builder’s reputation and previous jobs. Reviews alone might not lead you to find the perfect builder, but it could help you avoid some particularly dodgy ones.
Check at what build stage a review is written. If they strongly recommend a builder mid-way through a job, it could be a little premature. You wouldn’t want a movie review from someone who only watched half the film! Someone who has lived in their completed home for a while will have more complete insights. This includes issues after handover and, more importantly, how good the builder was at rectifying them.
Also, check what type of houses the builder you’re researching is getting rave reviews for and where. If you’re looking for someone to build a double-storey house, it makes sense to find a builder who’s getting good reviews for doing just that.
Look for patterns in the reviews. Is there a common theme linking the negative online reviews, like delays in the construction process or unexpected cost blow-outs? Perhaps a lot of past customers were unhappy about the lack of communication. Likewise, patterns in the positive reviews could indicate good things.
Reviews can also provide an inside into details such as what the project manager and sub-contractors are like, whether the builder offers services like an interior designer and the quality of their materials, just to name a few.
Want to find impartial reviews? Click here to see our list of Builder Reviews!
Pick a builder suited to your location
Most builders will have preferred areas they like to work, usually somewhere where their pricing is competitive and they’ve built a lot of homes before. Building in a metro area tends to be easier than in outer suburbs or in a rural area because everything is close by. While you can convince a lot of builders to take a project outside their comfort zone, you might want to ask yourself if this is worth it.
Choose the style of home you want
If you have a specific house design in mind, that’s a good starting point. For example, do you want to use a pre-existing floorplan or build a custom home? This can make all the difference to who you should choose. One builder may have specific expertise that another doesn’t.
Research builders who specialise in the type of home you’re looking to build. Then check their reviews and try to get an idea of their prices. Some builders specialise in difficult terrains while others focus on acreage home designs. If you were looking to build a split-level design house on a sloping site, you’d want to check out the former. Likewise, if you’re looking to build a bespoke home, you’ll want to find a custom builder.
Whatever type of home you’re looking to build, you’ll want to look at home builders with the experience and skills you need.
Need help finding the right Builder?
Building a home can be a daunting process. At Buildi, we work with you throughout the entire build process to avoid any pitfalls and make sure your house build stays on time and on budget by following these simple steps
- Free Consultation – We will sit with you to understand what you are looking to accomplish.
- Due Diligence – We work with you to ensure you’re buying the right block of land at the right price without hidden problems.
- Builders tender – We will take your requirements out to the market of builders and they will bid to win your business.
- Present solutions – We will compile the top 3 options and present you with a comprehensive proposal on builders’ strengths & weaknesses along with prices and specifications.
- Contract Signing – We will work with you and your selected builder to ensure there is full transparency in what you are entering into.
- Building your home – We work closely with the builder to ensure all service levels are met and your project is on schedule.
We help find you the right builder for your home build. Contact us today!
Book A Free Consultation! Contact Buildi today!
Check their credit credentials
In today’s competitive market, a lot of builders are offering competitive prices. While this may sound like great news, you want a builder who makes a profit. Building a home doesn’t happen overnight. A lot can happen in the months it takes to complete your home. The last thing you want is your builder going under.
While a credit reference isn’t a guarantee, it does at least give you an idea if a company is in trouble. A builder going bankrupt halfway through your build is the last thing you want.
Remember to check licenses & insurance
We cannot stress enough how important it is for you to make sure your builder is licensed, registered and insured. Not sure? Ask. Good builders should be happy to provide this information to you. If they’re reluctant to show their credentials consider that a huge red flag, even if they were recommended by friends.
You can check if a builder is registered through the Housing Industry of Australia or the Master Builders Association of Australia. At the bare minimum, you’ll want your builder to have public liability insurance and home warranty insurance (known in Victoria as domestic building insurance).
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