How to Choose the Right Custom Home Builder to Build Your New Home

4 Dec

Building your home is an enormous undertaking, and you need to partner with the right home builder to get the best result. Choose the wrong builder, and you might end up with an unfinished home or one that doesn’t look close to what you had dreamed of. There’s also the possibility of shelling out more money than you should.

So, how do you make sure that you’re hiring the right builder?

Choose a Professional Builder

I know it might be tempting to hire amateur builders because of their cheaper rates, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll deliver high-quality results like professional home builders. When you hire an expert builder, you are paying for their years of experience and the systems and processes they have in place, and they’ve built and perfected over time.

Experienced builders are knowledgeable about local compliance requirements and they’ll ensure that your house is up to standards. They keep up with the latest trends and home designs and they aren’t afraid to advise you if they notice a few flaws in your design.

Interview Your Builder

Spend time interviewing your builder to get to know them. You can ask for their credentials and if they have a current building license. This is the perfect opportunity to learn about the type of building work they specialise in. You can also check how long they have been in their line of work.

Before the interview, create a list of your priority home features, and if possible, show them reference pictures or a house design you like. If you have a specific style in mind, familiarize yourself with the concept so you can tell if the builder is knowledgeable about your desired house design. Ask if they can deliver the quality of work you’re looking for.

This is also a chance for you to ask for their input and suggestions on how they can improve your initial plan. A home design expert can immediately spot flaws in a plan and suggest alternatives. You can also use the interview phase to learn more about the process that a builder has in place.

It will let you assess how professional and organised the builder is. Having a process in place can also help ensure that your luxury home will be completed on schedule and on budget.

Ask For a Sample Contract

A luxury home design expert often has a contract template, and it might be a good idea to ask for a sample.

The contract should include the scope of work or the details of the work your builder will do for you, like obtaining council permits, and furnishings. Although not all contracts are the same, a sample contract will give you an idea of how a builder operates and their level of professionalism.

Ask For References

If you’re seriously considering a builder, ask for references to see what past clients have to say about them.

A former client can tell you about their experience with the custom home builder like if they provide timely updates or if they delivered the results they promised.

You can also ask your target builder for pictures of their previous projects. This is a great way for a builder to showcase the quality of their work.

Conduct a Background Check

Check the credentials, license information, and what associations they’re a member of. You can also find a certified builder who’s also a member of the Association of Professional Builders or the HIA.

Being a member of associations like these are a great indicator that you’re working with a professional and trustworthy builder.

You can also conduct an internet search and look for news or write-ups about a particular builder. For instance, just type “builders in Wollongong” or “builders in the Illawarra” and check the results. You can also do a more specific search by looking up the name of your builder.

Read through customer reviews, look at their website, and also see what previous clients have to say.

Fair Pricing

Ask the custom builder about their pricing and the inclusions.

Be clear if you’re after a fully detailed quotation or just an estimate. A quotation is a fixed figure while an estimate is just a ballpark amount and can change. However, be mindful that supply chain and inflation issues can affect pricing so be clear with your builder on how these factors might affect a quoted price. It’s worth mentioning that cheaper is not always better because a more affordable quote might have an exclusion that causes the price to go down.

Our Final Word

Your home may be the biggest investment you ever make so be sure to hire the right custom home builder to help you. Working with the best home builders in Wollongong or the top luxury custom builders in Illawarra can help you avoid mistakes and ensure that your luxury home renovation project will turn out the way you envisioned it. By following the guidelines above, you can easily find the best luxury home builders to build or renovate your dream home.

Instead of going through all these steps, why not go directly to the best luxury custom house builders in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven region?

CKS Projects are experts in luxury custom-built new homes and renovations. Schedule a meeting today so we can start your dream home.

Building a luxury home can be stressful and we want to help you have a more enjoyable experience. We created a FREE guide you can follow to avoid costly mistakes and ensure your dream home gets built exactly how you want it.

Just click on the link below to download 7 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE DESIGNING YOUR NEW HOME.