Your home should be everything you want it to be. Whether it’s your first home or your fifth, building your dream home is always one of the biggest investments you can make. Therefore, hiring the right home builder is essential to ensure that the process is as stress-free as possible.
When hiring a contractor to build or renovate your dream home, it is important to find the right builder for your needs. You will need to look for someone that is experienced in taking on such a large-scale project and can deliver on time and in accordance with your budget. Before you select your home builder, it is important to weigh up your options and ask vital questions. Take a look at our top tips for hiring a home builder.
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Ask for Recommendations
One of the best ways to start looking for a builder is to ask friends and family for recommendations. A great reference can provide so much insight into which builder has integrity, skills as well as if they can offer you the best service you require. If you are unable to get a direct recommendation from your network, looking up reviews of local builders online can be a good place to start. This will give you an idea of whether a builder is trustworthy and whether or not they do a good job.
Consider Your Options
Once you have some recommendations from your family and friends, or online, make a selection of your top few builders. Then, reach out to them for a quote of their services to allow for better decision making. This will help you to compare their costs, the quality of materials they use, and how quickly they can complete the work and any other advice or recommendations that they are able to provide you with.
Hire Qualified, licensed Builders
One of the most important things when choosing a contractor is finding out if they are a qualified, licensed contractor. Working with licensed contractors can give you a better peace of mind, as you know that your builders have met the requirements by the state to ensure the safety of your homes when it comes to building. Another thing to consider is insurance. Ask any contractor that you are considering hiring what their insurance cover is, as this will cover them in the unlikely event that they have an accident while working on your project, or damage any of your property.
Sign a Contract
Once you have decided on which contractor to go with for your project, it is important to sign a contract with them as this will allow for clearer communication. The contract should include a description of the work that you are looking to have done, as well as a breakdown of the cost. It should also include payment details, cancellation clause, start and completion dates and a note of any changes from the original plan as the work is completed.
Be Cautious About Up-Front Payments
It is normal to have to pay for some of the work upfront, as this will provide the necessary funds for the builders to source for the materials required for your job. A good rule of thumb for upfront payment is usually one-third of the overall cost. Where possible, be cautious about paying the entire job upfront as some domestic building insurance may not cover any expenses if work has been paid for in advance. Make sure that any payment you do make is documented and that you keep a copy of the receipt. Check also for cancellation period notice with your builders, to avoid any penalty fees should you need to terminate the project.
Home design and building is no easy feat. Finch Construction, a home builder based in Adelaide, has a highly skilled and licensed team of builders who is committed to working with you through the building process, bringing your vision to life. Whether you require assistance with designing your new home or require a builder to work on specific requirements for your future home, our team with 40 years’ experience in first-class residential home building can help get you there. Speak to us for an obligation-free quote today.