How to choose the right builder for your project

The investment you make building a property is often the very biggest you'll make in your life, so you owe it to your bank balance (and your blood pressure!) to do your due diligence before you choose the person for your job.

These are our 7 essential tips to ensure your choice is a wise one...

1. Look for references

This is fairly common sense but not to be underestimated- check what previous customers are saying! That's much easier with online reviews etc but even canvas your friends and see if anyone has had experience using them before.

Previous conduct and quality of work is the best guarantee you can get for how you can expect your project to turn out.

Architects that have worked with them before and tradesmen on-site at current jobs can also help you gauge their efficiency and reliability.

2. Check their experience

This isn't a footlong at Subway; if your builder is new on the job, there are serious implications for the timescale and cost of your project. Experience gained in the trenches trumps Theory every day of the week. There will not be too many bumps in the road an experience builder hasn't dealt with before, and the speed and cost at which your project is built will reap the rewards.

3. Look at their previous projects

A decent portfolio of previous projects- especially the type of project you are undertaking- is a huge indicator of their relevant experience and skills. 'The proof is in the pudding'.

Check their website or ask them for examples if they don't have an online presence (though in this day and age, that too would be a bit of a red flag!).

4. Check their insurance and warranties

In Australia, a reputable professional will have a broad base of construction knowledge, be able to produce estimates, read plans and help obtain any necessary permits. They also need to know and adhere to state regulations and have a license to work in that state.

Check your builder is covered and the level of the coverage for peace of mind before and during the build.

Ask if they have a structural warranty for their work, and again, check what it entails. This will protect you in the construction and against incomplete or defective work. A worst-case scenario, but one you want properly shielded from!

5. Ask for a detailed quote

If your builder can't give you a solid, detailed quote, then again that's a red flag to look out for. It not only prepares you to budget (or even compare against their competitors) but it will be a good indicator right off the bat of the attention to detail you can expect them to bring to your job.

Put in a detailed document of what exactly you need to clear any ambiguity and to allow them to make the most accurate costing they can for you. It will also allow you to make the fairest and easiest like-for-like price comparisons.

6. Assess their lines of communication

Good communication from the offset can help you feel confident that you will be kept properly in the loop as the project progresses. Of course, they may be busy at times, and you don't expect them to be at your beck and call. However, you can usually tell within the first few contacts what kind of customer experience you can expect.

7. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

Find out as much as you can before you commit yourself. About their experience, their previous projects, their processes. There are no stupid questions when you are making an investment of this size, and a good builder knows this and should have no problems answering your questions and (where necessary) allaying any fears.

However, you don't just want one that tells you everything you need to hear to secure your business. You want their experience, honesty and integrity to shine through. The final reassurance that the choice you are making is the correct one.

Choosing the correct builder for your project can seem like a daunting prospect but it is arguably THE crucial factor in the success of your project. We hope these tips have made that choice a little easier for you!