How to Choose the Right Home Builder in 4 Easy Steps
If you are embarking on a new home or renovation project, you are wondering how to choose the right home builder. Someone who will build a secure structure with quality materials. Someone who will see your project through to completion and manage your budget and time effectively. Finding the right builder can be a bit of a process, so in this post we will give you key points to consider when choosing.
Choosing a home builder is not always as simple as going with the one who has the most builds behind their name. It may not even be who has the most impressive website or who has the best price. The right builder for you might be different to the right builder for your neighbour.
In our experience, the right builder is someone you can get along with, whose demeanour sits well with you. Someone who you feel you can trust and who walks the talk. This person is going to be an important part of your project and impart energy to your home. You want a good energy!
Research:
First, do your research. Consider the scope of your project and what kind of builder you will need. Do you need a general builder or a home builder that manages full construction projects? Chat to your family and contacts you trust about their experiences and who they used or know of. Do a google search for a list of contractors in your city as well. Your architect may have a few to recommend too, ask about them. When going through their websites you should look at:
- What they have to say about themselves and their services?
- What groups or governing bodies are they affiliated to?
- Are they a one-man band with low overheads, a SME or big corporation?
- How quickly do they respond to your contact form submission or emails? Are they eager to get involved or too busy to respond?
- If they have a portfolio to view, have they built different kinds of houses or just one style?
- Are the houses they have built in line with the style and quality you are looking for?
Depending on how involved you want to be in your project, consider what project management services they offer. Will they manage all suppliers and sub-contractors, or do you want to do that? In our experience, the less fingers in a pie the better, if your builder is able to manage all aspects and suppliers on your project, scheduling and paying them as and when needed, it will save you time and energy in the long run. There will also be a lot less room for confusion and delays.
Meeting:
When you have narrowed it down to a shortlist, request tenders on your plans. Consider the results and then schedule a meeting with those who have provided the most comprehensive quotes, even if they seem to be lower or higher than expected. Meet them to see who they are and what they are like. Chances are if you cannot get on with them at the beginning, you will have a long, trying project.
When you meet be sure to ask questions about:
- The experience they have and how they operate.
- How they manage suppliers, subcontractors, and time.
- How they manage finances, monthly invoicing, and variations.
- How they will keep you involved with the project.
- What timelines you are looking at.
- What references they have that you can contact.
- Are you able to visit their current sites? Check for cleanliness, safety measures and quality of construction.
(If you are not sure what else to ask, look at this great list from Standard Bank for important questions.)
References:
References are an important step in the process that you do not want to miss. You want to ascertain how each reference remembers their home build experience and the builder who managed it. It is important to ask things like:
- Did you get along with the builder? How did the builder resolve conflicts?
- Was the project finished on time?
- What was the quality of the build? Were there any major waterproofing and structural issues post build?
- How were project finances managed? Were you on budget?
- Were there any unexpected expenses?
- Was the builder transparent and clear in communications and finances?
- Were you kept aware of decisions need well in advance or were they last minute?
- Were there any unexpected or unexplainable delays?
- How did they builder manage your snags and post build maintenance issues?
- Would you use this builder again?
Consideration:
Once you have met each builder, you will want to take a day or two to think over each meeting. Go through their quotes to make sure you are comparing apples with apples. Think about how well each conversation went?
You will want to look at things like:
- Are the quotes detailed and clear? Ensure there is no ambiguity. If there is, query it.
- Make sure the builders have quoted for everything on the plan and not left anything off.
- Ask your architect, QS (Quantity Surveyor) or principle agent to go through the quotes and compare them if you are unsure.
- What was their manner like?
- Did you get along or was there a nagging unease?
- What did their references have to say about them and how did they say it?
Compare each builder and quote and then make an informed decision on who to appoint.
Remember the Right Home Builder will:
- Have knowledgeable insight about the building process and the part each contributor plays.
- Keep an organised record of project finances and paperwork.
- Be registered with NHBRC.
- Be open and transparent in all dealings.
- Give you a sense of peace and trust.
Related Articles: Cost to Build | Complete Home Construction Checklist | Residential Construction Process
