Finding a Quality Builder: Where to Start
New building construction works are always exciting prospects, however with them comes a level of anxiousness and uncertainty around choosing the right builder.
Can you trust them to be reliable?
Will the quality of the finished result will be up to your standards?
Is the quotation provided really suitable for your project?
If you’ve found yourself asking these questions, we've put together your guide to finding a quality builder.
We'll walk you through:
Where to find a builder
What to look for in a builder
How to make your final selection
It’s time to confirm your selection process with confidence that you’ve made the right decision.
Where to Find a Builder:
The first step is identifying viable building companies to complete your project.
Some of the best ways to find potential builders are:
1. Direct Referral:
Ask friends, family, neighbours and other people you’ve known who have built recently who can pass on their own experiences & recommendations.
Hearing their reviews first hand will give you the peace of mind as you explore the company further.
2. Community Pages:
Most suburbs have local Facebook Groups or Community Pages sharing a range of reviews and recommendations.
Use these to reach out and ask for suggestions!
3. Social Media:
Almost every company now has a presence on social media.
These provide great portfolios of previous projects, as well as behind the scenes insight into the company and the team you will be working with.
Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn are all great platforms to start your searching.
4. Google Search:
Find a local builder by searching on Google.
Company websites are the perfect place to understand more about the builder, their services, and any previous projects.
Overall:
Make sure to look through the builders’ websites and previous projects and ask for referrals from people they’ve previously built for and how they found that experience.
What to look for in a builder:
You’ve found multiple builders, but how do you know that they’re reliable and right for your job?
1. Good Communication:
With the many moving parts involved in any project, strong communication is essential.
From the get-go, your builder should:
Engage in open discussions regarding the proposed plans
Be receptive to your ideas and opinions
Show transparency and offer cost saving options
2. Transparency:
Projects of this nature require high levels of trust between yourself and your builder.
This transparency should begin with the quotation.
These are some of the key features to look out for, which you will find in all Willoworks quotations:
Complete breakdown detailing the scope of work and project costs
Clear listings of inclusion and exclusions
Direct, honest responses to enquiries
Ballpark costing prior to full quotation to ensure expectations are realistic before significant time is spent on a detailed quotation
3. Project Delivery:
Reliable builders deliver high quality projects completed on schedule time and time again.
Look through the builder’s previously completed works and take note of any previous client testimonials for signs of promising project delivery.
When you are close to selecting your builder, ask to contact some references of previous builds so you can get an overview of how their experience was with that builder.
4. Attention to Detail:
Building construction projects involve many variables requiring a high level of precision. This means that the small elements matter.
A reliable builder will start by ensuring that all details are included on plans drafted by the architect.
Questions from your builder are a good sign that this attention to detail will be prioritised throughout the project.
How to Make Your Final Selection
You’ve now narrowed your choices down to a few options. So how do you make your final decision?
View previous works on their website and ensure they are of good quality.
Look for client testimonials and Google reviews.
Reach out to the builder for a discussion and quotation for your project.
Review the quotation in detail and make note of inclusions and exclusions.
Evaluate the price, your experience so far, and your general feelings towards the builder.
Quotes that are broken down into their scope of works will always provide you with the most clarity and peace of mind around where your money is going, plus what is and isn’t included.
Speak to previous clients and discuss how their experiences were.
Make your selection and get started on your project!
At Willoworks, our value-driven processes and extensive experience provide our clients with seamless building experiences every time.
If you are ready to start your project in partnership with a reliable builder who places communication at the forefront, we would love to help!
Get in touch with us today to find out more!