With such an array to choose from, it’s understandably difficult choosing the right builder to spearhead your construction project. Fortunately, there are several filters you can apply to your search to narrow down your options.
Together with our National Head of Construction Kieran Moore, we’ve put together the top five attributes to look for in a builder to ensure a five-star final product.
Verify their credentials
It might seem obvious, but making sure your chosen builder has the right credentials is absolutely essential.
Any builder or tradesperson in Australia needs to be licensed or registered, depending on the state or territory they operate in. There are different bodies in each state and territory that regulate licensing and registration. You can often search their databases to verify that a builder is listed and whether they’ve had any suspensions or similar. You can also conduct a check on the ASIC website to find out comparable information.
Another crucial piece of documentation to ask about is Home Warranty Insurance (HOWI). In most cases, HOWI is mandatory for residential building projects above a particular value. It’s taken out by the builder and covers you in case the work isn’t finished or the builder can’t fix any faults for whatever reason.
You also want to make sure your chosen builder hasn’t been flagged on any building networks, like Master Builders and HIA.
Check out their reputation
For service-based businesses, reputation is everything – especially now that that reputation can be aired online. Google is the most abundant platform for reviews, but you can also check out Word of Mouth and Product Review. Extensive bad feedback – particularly if the same issues come up time and time again – is a clear red flag.
You can also go one step further and see if you can talk to real people who’ve used a builder’s services. Ask the builder for past and current clients’ details and chat with them to understand how the build went or is going. Find out if they had any issues and what the builder did to resolve them, the builder’s communication style and how easy they were to work with.
Assess their past and future work
On that note, you also want to assess the quality of their workmanship on past projects. Sure, they might be able to provide photos of their portfolio, but seeing something in the flesh is a far different experience.
Ask your builder if you can tour a current open project or a completed one, and really look closely at their work. The hallmarks of a quality tradesperson include an excellent paint job; neatly installed tiling, floorboards and cabinetry; and level frames and trims.
You also want to find out their future pipeline – in other words, what kinds of projects they’re working on and the volume of work. Even though it may seem advantageous if a builder is able to start a project straight away, it often means they don’t have any work – which can be another red flag.
Looking for an expert construction team to manage your renovation or build? We can save you the hassle of trawling through builders for hours and hours (and hours). Milk Chocolate Projects handles everything from cosmetic renovations to new builds, and we work with a network of trusted, reputable trades nationwide. Get in touch today.
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