The decision to build your dream home is not one that should be taken lightly. Firstly, it is one of the biggest financial decisions we can make in our lives. Secondly, you are entrusting someone with your dream and you want them to treat it with respect. Your new home should be well built and stable. Which is why it concerns us that so many people do not know what to look for or what to ask when looking for a builder. So here are our top 5 tips on finding a quality new home builder.
1: Trust
You should always choose a builder you feel comfortable with, even if this means you may need to visit two, three or even ten different companies. Quality home builders will understand your vision, will sound enthusiastic about your idea and willing to work with you. If you don’t feel as if the team is professional or enthusiastic about your project, try someone else.
Always do your due diligence and see if they have good testimonials. Many quality home builders retain close relationships with their past clients and may even be happy to give you several previous clients to call as references.
2: Qualifications
One of the most important aspects of finding your quality home builder is checking their qualifications and builders licence. Never forget to ask if they are insured and about home indemnity insurance. Also make sure you check your quality home builders build maintenance.
If your builder is unable to supply you with this information, it may be best to try someone else. There is nothing more heartbreaking than to design a home that doesn’t fit with local regulations or leaves you out of pocket, later, should issues with the build arise.
3: Quality over Quantity
You should always look at the quality of your builders’ past projects, rather than their quantity. They may only build two or three homes a year, but this means they are dedicated to ensuring each home is of the highest quality.
Also, when comparing the prices of your builders, compare the quality of work done. One may be $5000 more expensive, but if that means better quality, then you will be saving more overall.
4: Experience
While we all must start somewhere, it is always preferable to use a quality home builder who has several years experience. Remember, your quality home builder is your partner in creating your dream home. Ensure that they fully understand what you want and what you need in terms of size, style of home, etc. You need to look for an experienced builder who fits with the style of home you want to create.
5: Type of Builder
The type of builder you choose is also important. Some builders, especially those who specialise in project or pre-designed homes, will have difficulty working outside their box. Choose a builder who has a varied portfolio or examples of houses like what you want to build.
Ask your builder if they custom build or if they only do project/pre-designed homes, and if they specialise in a specific type of home and/or price range. Many builders specialize in project homes designed for the mass market, with little ability to be flexible when it comes to changing layouts or working with your land. It can be hard to add your own personal touch to those types of homes. A quality home builder will be flexible when it comes to layouts, material choices and finishes. Many will even have their own in-house draftsmen and architects who can help create your perfect layout.
If you would like to know more about Virgon’s building and architectural services, please visit our architectural services page, or contact us today on (03) 9819 9109