Five things to consider!
1. Work with a verified builder
Ensure they’re registered and licensed (check and monitor ABNs and licences). For further verification, you may opt to visit your state or territory’s builder’s registry online. Here you can see if builders you’re vetting have ever been involved in a building dispute or had any compliance issues or insurance claims made against them. For further peace of mind, you can also check their insurance history which will provide more information on how many jobs the company has completed since 2010.
2. Request a meeting
After you’ve received a few quotes from builders, meet them. Treat these meetings like you would an interview:
· Was the builder flexible on the initial meeting time? Did they keep the appointment or keep pushing it back?
· Did they show up on time?
· Were they polite and attentive?
· Did they ask too many questions or too few?
3. Find the right sized builder for your project.
A small-sized builder is a one-man-band. This is a builder who likely works out of the back of his ute. He looks after his paperwork and deals directly with you to organise the build. More often than not, this type of builder will be working on one project at a time. He usually works on the tools, might have an apprentice and completes his office work in the evenings. While the small-sized builder may provide a lower initial quote, they do tend to be more reactive than proactive. This method of work means there’s more risk of things going wrong and the price changing during the works.
A medium-sized builder is quite often a partnership or maybe two builders who have joined forces. This type of builder will usually take on up to three projects at one time. They’ll have their own trades register and more resources for quoting. Medium and large-sized builders are often more thorough with their quotation, ask more of the right questions and can give you back a well-written and specific quotation. They’ll list the items included in the quote, and if there are any items in the specifications and documents that are missing or inconclusive, they will generally write them out. One of them, or both, will work on the tools and they will likely have a couple of apprentices and subcontract out most work. They will typically also have structured systems in place.
A large-sized builder will be a proprietary limited company with many office staff. Often they also have a team of carpenters, labourers and apprentices. Depending on size, they will usually run 10 to 12 projects at any one time. They should have sophisticated systems in place, ranging from accounting and project management software to client management systems. A sales representative will likely be the one to turn up at your house to give an accurate and specific quote. The turnaround time on this should also be much quicker since a larger company has more resources.
4. Prepare for the initial meeting with your builder
Having your specifications and plans laid out. Without plans and specifications, a builder will only be able to provide an estimate as to whether your project will be compliant or fit for your purpose. Ask the builder upfront if the job appeals to them. If they’re interested in taking on the job, ask when you can expect to receive a quote.
5. Ask and research
Before making your final decision, find out how many jobs the builder takes on at a time how many employees they have, whether they use subcontractors and if so, do they have a regular group of subcontractors that they call on. These are all essential things to know because when you’re engaging a builder, what you’re really buying into is their employees and their subcontractors.