You and your builder will have a working relationship for the entire time it takes to build your home. Since you’ll be coordinating with them for such a long period, finding one who won’t make your building project a super costly and frustrating process is important.
Here are some ideas to help you avoid that.
Finding the right builder means doing some research first. Check with friends to see if they can recommend anyone, and don’t forget social media as a source either. You can also look through a local directory listing builders in your area. This will help you create a shortlist to work from. There are also crucial aspects to check, such as whether the builder has the required licence, offers references and other deciding factors.
A building designer or architect is likely to have contractors they trust and may be able to recommend one or more. If not, they could explain what is involved in a building quote and other costs.
It is essential to get quotes from a minimum of three building contractors so you can compare what they are offering and decide whether they understand what you have planned. You need to provide the builder with specific information before they can tender a quote: this is known as a tender package.
A tender package contains sketches, documents, plans or other things that you can use to brief the builder. It helps them get a clear idea of what you want so they can produce a realistic quote. It should include the house plans, scope of works and a building schedule. Your architect or building designer usually prepares these. The builder can use these to organize the subcontractors they’ll need to complete the project on schedule.
The relationship you have with your builder goes two ways: there are expectations for both the builder and yourself to ensure a successful working relationship. You should understand your rights and obligations in the building project and have taken the right steps to ensure the builder is licensed, insured and has the expertise needed for the job.
Choosing the perfect builder requires a little bit of time and patience at first, but if you get the best one, you’ll end up saving time and money in the end. Get quotes from professional builders right here now so you can compare the pros and cons of each one.