Choosing A Builder On A Limited Budget
Choosing a builder on a limited budget can be a daunting task, especially if you’re unaware of what things you should be looking out for. Many people are distracted by extravagant display homes and don’t investigate factors such as builder experience, reputation and the existence of hidden costs in their contract. Use our simple checklist below when choosing a builder to ensure you end up with a quality built house to call home for years to come.
Interview the Builder
Many people make the mistake of just meeting their builder, but it’s far better to treat the meeting like a job interview. Ask the builder detailed questions about how they can meet your budget and timeline expectations. After all, you’re going to be dealing with your builder for many months and a close working relationship will be critical to ensure a successful outcome. Make sure you understand who it is that you will be dealing with from day to day, as some builders will prepare the quote and be the primary builder on site, while other building companies may have a team of people and you may never see the person who prepares and presents the quote.
Reputation
Not talking to current or past clients can be a crucial mistake. Asking builders for references results in them providing only the details of those people who will say the right thing. Instead, ask the builder for the contact details of some current clients who can provide you with more useful feedback, as they are still immersed in the process.
Hidden Costs
Contract documents for building your home may look scary, but it’s so important that you take the time to thoroughly read and understand them. Your contract is the key to learning exactly what you’re paying for. Far too many people choose a builder based on quotes that have a lot of important items missing and that are not transparent. Beware of contracts with a long list of ‘estimates’ and ‘TBA’s’ and to avoid a blow-out in costs, ask for a fixed price.
Understand What’s Included
Leave no stone unturned and ensure you have information about every cost. Keep an eye out for clauses such as ‘pending soil test’. Regardless of how detailed and exhaustive the drawings may appear there will generally many things missing that the builder needs to prepare a comprehensive quote. Some builders won’t even construct many of the impressive features they have on show within their displays, so it pays to ask if they will build the home ‘as displayed’ and to provide you with a fully itemised cost.
PJ Burns Builder is an award winning residential and commercial builder. Our team can offer you a direct, personalised service to provide you with a home to suit any block on any budget. Browse through our extensive range of designs or contact us today!
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