How To Choose A Good Builder

Whether you are renovating your home, embarking on an extension project or building a brand-new house from scratch, choosing the right builder is the most important choice you will make.

Changing the paint colour or the curtains can be a decision you modify over the years, but the structure, quality and workmanship involved with construction is deeply rooted and almost impossible to reconfigure. Choosing the right builder is the foundation of any project.

Here is a checklist to make sure you get it right:

• Do your research – don’t be fooled by a quick talking salesman or rely on a ‘good feeling’, make sure you check out their online reviews and ask around for other people’s experience with the builder

• Ensure they are a specialist – don’t get an ‘odd-job-guy’ to build a home from scratch. Equally if you have a unique project that involves a specific material such as wood, make sure you use a builder who has experience with that material

• Make sure you can trust them – pick someone who clearly outlines the costs and timeline upfront and details any stipulations for additional works if required. If they are honest about this, then they are likely transparent about other elements as well

• Get three quotes – always price check, but also quality check. Don’t always go for the cheapest, ensure you get best value

• Give exact specifications – when getting quotes outline measurements, materials and other factors that affect costings

• Check the builder is registered by going to the Contractor’s Board website. Here you will be able to see whether they are licenced to and can handle the work

• You can also check whether they are insured by checking if the renovation builder is a member of a locating board. This information will also be on the Contractor’s Board website

‍