It’s very important that you always take one step at a time, especially when you are planning to make the biggest investment in your life, i.e. building your dream home. Therefore, you need to be very careful when selecting your builder. This is because the relationship will continue for months or even over a year, depending upon the work.
Your ideal builder like builders in Auckland services should be a very good communicator should be able to understand your ideas and vision and should have a reputation of working brilliantly, even with older clients.
For Building Your Dream Home Use These Five Tips For Hiring Your Builder
- Ask For Recommendations
You have to start your search by asking for recommendations. You can ask your family members, friends or even co-workers as well. You have to jot down the names of the builders with the help of your local association for home builders. After you have the names in your hand, you can then start to check with each of them, to know their business address which is permanent and also the actual location of the business too.
Try to search for the builders who have at least three or more years of experience.
- Do Your Research
Before you plan to hire a builder, make sure that there are no such complaints that have been filed against the builder. You have to investigate the contractor’s current standing with the contractor’s board of your specific state. You also need to check the proof of insurance for general liability and also see that compensation is provided to its workers as well.
You have to make yourself clear that you don’t want to be held responsible for any accidents that may happen during the house construction process.
- Look Out For References
You must delve into the builder’s past works. You can even ask for a portfolio as well. If there’s any need, you can also personally visit the finished homes and inspect for yourself. This will help you know about the builder’s workmanship.
You will have the chance to discuss with the previous clients of the builder. The clients will let you know about the performance and also any other special information that you will naturally not receive anywhere. It will provide you with an insight that is truly invaluable in working ways of the builder. One thing that you should remember here is that you should also allow other clients that are potentially thinking of hiring the same builder, come and visit your place as well.
- Go Through The Tender Process
It’s always recommended that you take quotes from at least more than one builder. Having more options is always a good thing. Be sure to provide the same information to all your builders before you get their quote. This will help you to compare the quoted prices and select the best one out of them.
You need to ask your builders to also submit a breakdown of the total cost so that you can check the cost of the key areas. This will help you to amend the price if needed so that you don’t overshoot your total budget for building the house.
Going for the cheapest price is not suggested at all. You have to create a balance between the price and the overall quality of work. Cheaper price means the builder will cut corners to finish the job quickly. Thus, you should take this decision after much consideration.
- Signing The Contract
You will be able to bind your builder, into your terms and conditions, with the help of a contract. It benefits both the builder and the customer. A contract should include all the things that are expected in this construction process, including the overall construction costs. It will work as proof later on during the procedure.
For example, if your builder asks or claims more money, then you always refer to the contract to clarify things whether it’s extra or not. The same thing can be said for the customer as well, as the customer couldn’t try to sneak in more work within the same contract. If changes are needed then the customer needs to pay more.
