Comments0 by in Building a New Home
June 13, 2014
How to Pick the Right Home Builder

If you are considering building a new home, having a home extension added or completing a renovation; it is just as important to take care in choosing the right home builder as it is choosing a plan for your new home. The following tips can help you to make sure you choose the right home builder:

#1. Make a list

Begin by making a list of possible home builders. You may find it helpful to contact friends, family, and co-workers and ask about home builders they may have worked with in the past. Attending home shows can also be a great way to meet potential home builders. As you go through the process of searching for a builder, collect as much information as possible regarding warranty information and builder packages. Taking notes now will aide you in remembering the various details regarding a builder’s offerings later on.

#2. Visit Model Homes

After you have collected some information about various home builders, it is a good idea to visit model homes. Make it a point to carefully look at each home that you visit. In viewing model homes, it should be kept in mind that the builder who constructed the home built it specifically to serve as a model. As such, what you see will represent the absolute highest quality that you can anticipate from that builder. Do not be shy when checking out these model homes. Take advantage of the opportunity to open cabinet doors, pull out drawers, and see how windows and doors operate. This is your chance to investigate the solidity of the home’s construction. You should also consider layout and design. Does the home appear to make the most efficient use of space? Would this home suit your lifestyle? Can you actually see yourself living in this home? In addition, make a note of the features that are extras and upgrades so that you will have an idea of the basic model.

Now, not all builders will have the luxury of being able to have a fully built out model home. While we, at Eastcoast Builders in Penrith, are not able to show you through a model home just yet, we are able to show you plenty of testimonials and before and after pictures of homes that you have constructed over many years in the building industry – more in point #5. As we have outlined above, we still encourage and think that it is a good idea to have a look through other builders model homes, even if it is for no other reason than getting some ideas and inspiration for how you would like your new home to look.

#3. Meet with the Builder

It is important that you meet with the builder to gauge their knowledge and experience but also to see if you are able to connect with them. This might sound a little funny but if and when you do hire a builder to complete your home, you are going to be working closely with them over a period of months not weeks. Many builders are happy to sit down with you and help you understand and achieve building that new dream home. If during this step, you feel that this home builder is able to deliver on their promises, you will be able to rest a little easier if you do eventually hire them.

A successful building experience is dependent upon a good working relationship, mutual trust, and open communication with your home builder.

#4. Ask lots of questions

Asking questions is one of the most important steps you can take in selecting the right home builder. As touched on above in point 3, this is your opportunity to ask a builder all of those questions that you are unsure about, interested in or need to know. By asking questions you can then get a feel not only for their knowledge and experience but their integrity as well.

New home

(Would you believe this is a knock down rebuild)

#5. Ask for References

Do not hesitate to ask home builders to provide you with a list of references as well as addresses of their most recently constructed properties. Take advantage of the opportunity to speak to owners to find out how they feel about the quality of their home after they have had a chance to live in it for a while. Most people will not hesitate to tell you if they are pleased with the quality of their homes. If they are not pleased, they will probably let you know why, as well.

All the best!

Hopefully these couple of points have helped give you some pointers on how you could pick the right home builder. It is definitely something that you need to consider carefully as you are entrusting them with one of, if not the biggest investment you will ever make.

If you are currently looking for a home builder in the Western Sydney, Hawkesbury or Blue Mountains areas, we would be more than happy to meet with you for a free home building consultation. That way we can help answer all of the questions that you will have, part advice where needed and offer you a quote as to how much your new home could potentially cost you. Contact Shane Caldwell by dialling (02) 4732 6300 or using the Contact Builders Form within the website.

Thanks for reading,
Shane Caldwell
Eastcoast Building Services

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