Choosing the people who will be building your new home is very important. This process can take up to 12 months on average, sometimes longer. So, you’ll be working together for a while and need to understand each other, and get along.
There’s a few things to think about here, and like your new home itself, start with the basic foundations. Check your builder’s credentials, prepare yourself properly, talk to people, research and get help.
Make sure there’s some ‘good vibes’ with the people you choose to build your new home. This should be a relaxed and strong relationship because there’s a good chance you’ll need to get through some stressful times together at some stage during your new home building process.
- newhomesguide.com.au
Credentials check
Firstly, a no brainer for you - make sure your builder is licensed by the Builder’s Registration Board.
From there, some good questions to explore are about their reputation, their experience, awards they might have won and online reviews.
Display homes can be a good indication of their overall quality levels, so take a look around.
Do your best to achieve a good balance between price and quality, it’s never worth it to sacrifice one in favour of the other. In the end, you will pay for what you get, and you should get what you pay for.
One last thing on this, if something sounds or looks too good to be true, it probably is. Walk away.
Be prepared
Don’t start seeing builders when you have no idea. They’ll feel like you’re wasting their time, which is fair enough, and you won’t get the best from them.
Don’t start talking to the builders themselves until you’re really ready, and to be ready, you need to be prepared. The builders will appreciate this, they’ll see that you are a serious prospect and you’ll be kicking things off in the best way possible.
So, to be ready for a sit down discussion with your new homes builder, know your location and where you’ll be building your new home. Have a good idea of the plan you think will be best, go along with a couple of examples and clear ideas. Have your basic specification ready in terms of number of bedrooms, bathrooms, garage spaces etc.
Make the most of your builder
Communicating directly with your builder is always best. ‘Subbies’ are not ultimately responsible, so keep the communication open with your builder at all times.
Be open, ask questions and raise concerns. Don’t stay quiet and let the stress build up, this is your new home, you’re paying plenty of money for it and you have every right to be informed.
Always keep your budget in mind because it can be all too easy to get carried away. Don’t be persuaded to buy upgrades that exceed your budget. Be sure that you understand what is included and planned for to minimise changes and therefore blow-outs.
