Moving into your own first home is a big milestone in life. It’s especially fun and exciting if you’re looking to build one from scratch. Finding the right builder that suits your needs is paramount for your expectations to be met. What builder you choose can make or break your entire experience, so that’s why it’s important to do your research and ask a lot of questions. Here are six things to look out for when choosing a builder.

Experience and Skills

How experienced is your builder? Do they have a specific style of home or preference they lean towards? Do they have the relevant skills and experience you need for your future home? These are questions you’ll need answers to before making your decision. An experienced builder who specialises in extensions and renovations for luxury homes may not be the right fit if you’re desiring a sustainable, residential home. Explore the work your builder has done previously and see whether or not they are part of any alliances such as a Builder’s Association. Being part of these groups is usually a good sign, as it shows they are keeping up with technology, innovations and the latest best practices to further enhance their skills and eventually, your home.

Licences and Insurance

Are they registered, licensed and insured? Are they still in the industry while their licences are expired or revoked? A quick search on the Housing Industry of Australia (HIA), Master Builders of Australia (MBA) and your state’s relevant department of consumer affairs or fair trading is a huge gamechanger to make sure your builder is registered, licensed and insured. In Victoria, a credible builder should be able to provide Domestic Building Insurance. This insurance protects homeowners in Victoria from losing money in the event that building work is incomplete, unsatisfactory or the builder dies/disappears or becomes involved.
Portfolio and references

Do they have satisfied customers happy to recommend their services? What did previous clients find exceptional about the builder? Would they recommend the builder to their friends? An established and trusted builder will have a good reputation among their past clients and in their industry. Where possible, reach out to their most recent customers and ask about their experience, especially those in the building stage. If your chosen builder has been involved in creating display homes, try to have a physical walk-through and consult an engineer to come with you as well.

Clear and honest communication

Do they keep your expectations in check with your reality? Have they got a reputation for clear communication regarding timelines and deliverables? As with every relationship in life, communication is key. Great communication separates an average builder from a fantastic one. Having a direct conversation with a prospective builder at the beginning will give you a good idea of what they’ll be like throughout the project. A great builder will honestly tell you about what is and isn’t possible for your desired home and budget. Having a builder that’s upfront from the get-go will ensure that subsequent work runs smoothly, reducing the risk of things going wrong (or costing more) down the road.
Responsibility

Establishing how responsible your builder will be again, comes down to their prior work and reputation in the industry. Do they have a track record of arriving at the site on time? Do they take the relevant safety measures and are they usually finished by the due date? Asking a builder to speak about this experience will help in your decision-making process. A responsible builder will have the ability to work in a timely manner to meet your deadline, follow the law and take precautions such as putting up temporary structures from the commencement of construction until lock up.

Warranty (or lack thereof)

Warranty is another factor to consider when choosing a builder. In Victoria, builder's warranty for structural defects goes up to ten years to cover costs of any weatherproofing work or structural damage and two years for non-structural defects. The quality of a builder lies in whether or not they are providing a warranty for defects on the home and how long the warranty cover lasts. A great builder will offer a warranty for more than a ten year period to ensure the quality of their work, and provide exceptional post-construction service should any major issues arise.


If you’re interested in building a house or viewing Clyde North display homes, chat to the expert team at perchclydenorth.com.au