There are already enough ups and downs in life without adding a stressful new home build journey. Finding the right builder who will stick to their word without blowing your budget sounds almost impossible. But what if we told you it isn’t impossible? What if we told you that there are several things you could look for when talking to a builder that would help you find the right one? Throughout this blog, we detail what to look for in a builder: How to narrow down your list of potential candidates and, secondly, choose the right builder for your home, setting you up for the perfect build journey.
Who to look for
Find a professional builder. You are probably thinking, ‘Aren’t all builders professionals?’ The truth is that ‘un-professional builder’ doesn’t rank well in a Google search, so these builders don’t advertise it. Some builders go from job to job, making the same mistakes without changing anything or being held liable. They may not get repeat business because their clients are just happy to see them go, but it doesn’t worry them so long as they are making money, even if it is at someone else’s expense!
A professional builder distinguishes themselves by their expertise, systems, and procedures. Not all projects are the same, and you want to know if the builder and their team can complete a project like yours. They should be reputable and knowledgeable.
What to look for in a builder.
Systems and procedures are another no-brainer. You need to know that this builder is just as good at planning as he is at the execution. You’d be surprised how easy it is to see this during the sales meetings, is the builder organised? Do they have actual answers to your questions? Do they remember details from your previous conversations? These are all things that mark someone who prepares and plans ahead of time.
Projects that aren’t appropriately designed have significant delays and budget blowouts, putting you at risk of trade disputes. By choosing a builder who prioritises planning, you can spend more time on the things that matter while your home is built to budget & on time because your builder uses suitable systems to correctly document all the details of your project, which is then backed up by the correct procedures onsite to ensure execution is perfect without items being forgotten or only half completed.
Take a look at what some of our previous clients have to say about our team…‘reviews’
Building a home takes time.
Find a builder you can work with. From your very first enquiry to the completion of your home, it can take anywhere from 9-18 months, sometimes even more, depending on the type of project. When we say from the first call, we mean the very start, the planning conversations, the design process, and the approvals. Everything from ‘Hi, I would like to build a home’ to “I can’t believe this is our home’.
9-18 months is a long time, you’re going to be spending a lot of time with this build team on the phone, emailing back and forth or in various meetings. This is why it’s critical that you like the team you have trusted with your dream home.
There are a few things more uncomfortable than being stuck in a room with someone you don’t like, let alone having that person build the home you will live in. You don’t want to live in a house ruined by bad memories of the journey to get there. This is your home and should be a place of peace and relaxation.
You need a team that you can work with, people you won’t put off responding to because they’ll make things more complicated than they need to be. Building a home is one of the most exciting times of your life, and your build team should add to the joy of this and not take away from it. You should feel just as good on the last day of the build as you did on the first.
Having the same goal is vital.
Find a builder who is on board with your vision. Your builder should be just as excited to see your dream coming together as you are. Building homes is more than just materials and labour. It’s paying attention to the finer details, considering all the options available and finding the best one, It’s planning to perfection and adapting when things need to change to create an even better outcome.
There’s no room for ‘she’ll be right’ or ‘can’t see it from my place’ when it comes to your dream home. Your builder needs to be on board with what you’re trying to achieve & be prepared to work with you to get it right. Sometimes, visions & budget don’t quite match up, but this doesn’t mean you should give up; we just need to get a little creative. Your home deserves the best, and a professional builder will want this for you.
Ready to start building?
If you’re ready to take the next step & would like to speak with a professional builder at a time that suits you, Book a discovery call now using our online booking calendar.
You can speak to our team (obligation-free), and we can answer any questions about your project or the build process.
Still not ready to speak with a builder? That’s okay! Doing as much research as possible during this stage of your build journey will save you from making some big mistakes. Download our free guide, “7 things you must know before designing a home.” This guide will provide the correct information to help you avoid some critical mistakes homeowners make throughout the planning process.