Choosing a builder
Tuesday, 28 June 2022
Choosing a builder is one of the most important aspects of building a home. You’re about to make a major financial commitment to creating the house of your dreams – it pays to make sure your builder is just as committed to bringing the project to life as you are.
HomeStart CEO Andrew Mills recommends asking a few questions before you sign on the dotted line.
Does the builder have a good reputation?
Speak to friends, family and work colleagues about their experiences with builders. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to find out who is good to work with. Once you’ve got a few names, don’t be afraid to ask the builder for a list of projects they’ve recently completed. A good builder has many happy clients.
Ask if they have any references you can speak to. If you were in charge of employing someone, you would check their referees. It’s no different if you’re building a house.
If possible, have a look at the builder’s work both inside and out. It might seem like a lot of effort, but actually seeing what they’ve built is one of the best ways to know what to expect if you sign up.
Are they a good communicator?
One of the most important things to find out about a builder is how well you get along with them. It’s vital you and the builder have a good rapport and you feel confident that you could easily contact them if you need to ask questions during the building process. When you initially speak to them, take note of how easily the conversation goes, if they can answer your questions, and if you understand exactly what they’re talking about.
Are they qualified for the job?
It is very important to make sure the builder you choose is appropriately licensed and qualified, and carries the appropriate insurances. The Master Builders Association or the Consumer and Business Services will be able to assist you with this.
Under South Australian regulations, all builders who enter into a building contract that is valued over $12,000 and requires approval under the Development Act are required to take out Building Indemnity Insurance on behalf of the home owner.
Building Indemnity Insurance is designed to protect you in the event of the builder’s death, disappearance or insolvency, or if the work is not completed or faulty work is not rectified. It not only provides protection during the construction phase, but also for a five-year warranty period following completion of your project, so make sure your builder has this insurance in place.
If you think that you are ready to start the home building journey, contact HomeStart today and take the first step towards getting into your own home, sooner.
HomeStart CEO Andrew Mills recommends asking a few questions before you sign on the dotted line.
Does the builder have a good reputation?
Speak to friends, family and work colleagues about their experiences with builders. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to find out who is good to work with. Once you’ve got a few names, don’t be afraid to ask the builder for a list of projects they’ve recently completed. A good builder has many happy clients.
Ask if they have any references you can speak to. If you were in charge of employing someone, you would check their referees. It’s no different if you’re building a house.
If possible, have a look at the builder’s work both inside and out. It might seem like a lot of effort, but actually seeing what they’ve built is one of the best ways to know what to expect if you sign up.
Are they a good communicator?
One of the most important things to find out about a builder is how well you get along with them. It’s vital you and the builder have a good rapport and you feel confident that you could easily contact them if you need to ask questions during the building process. When you initially speak to them, take note of how easily the conversation goes, if they can answer your questions, and if you understand exactly what they’re talking about.
Are they qualified for the job?
It is very important to make sure the builder you choose is appropriately licensed and qualified, and carries the appropriate insurances. The Master Builders Association or the Consumer and Business Services will be able to assist you with this.
Under South Australian regulations, all builders who enter into a building contract that is valued over $12,000 and requires approval under the Development Act are required to take out Building Indemnity Insurance on behalf of the home owner.
Building Indemnity Insurance is designed to protect you in the event of the builder’s death, disappearance or insolvency, or if the work is not completed or faulty work is not rectified. It not only provides protection during the construction phase, but also for a five-year warranty period following completion of your project, so make sure your builder has this insurance in place.
If you think that you are ready to start the home building journey, contact HomeStart today and take the first step towards getting into your own home, sooner.
