If you are ready to build your dream home, you've probably already started thinking about who you will get to build it. But before you sign a contract with the first building company you find on Google, you should know more about what to look for in a custom home builder to give your project the greatest chance of success.
It's important to find someone who understands your vision and what should be included in your building contract. They also need to be experts at ensuring any building work is safe and compliant. Here's everything you need to know about finding a custom home builder that will make the process of building your dream home stress-free.
A custom home builder constructs unique homes that meet their client's specific requirements. They tend to work on only a few projects at once, ensuring that you and your build receive their full attention and resources. This means they can handle any unexpected delays better and are available to answer your questions directly.
On the other hand, project builders offer pre-designed house plans and build in high volumes. You often don't have the opportunity to build strong relationships with project builders as you deal with many people within the organisation during the home-building process, from sales staff to subcontractors.
Custom home builders have exacting standards and always try to surpass their clients' expectations as they have a strong reputation to uphold in their local area. Many rely only on word-of-mouth references from past clients to gain new work. By comparison, project home builders often run large marketing campaigns and draw clients in with simple designs and money-saving offers.
A lot can go wrong when building your dream home, so choosing a builder that matches your communication style and is willing to collaborate and problem-solve with you is vital. Forming a relationship with your builder will help them understand your consultation expectations, your vision and, importantly, the budget you have to work with.
These considerations will affect how smoothly the construction process goes and help you easily work through any problems that may arise.
It goes without saying that you should choose a custom home builder that has a good track record. Ask for recommendations from family and friends, and don't be afraid to reach out to the owners of homes you like in your area to ask who built their homes.
Another great way to research a builder's previous work is to read online reviews and testimonials. This will help you get a sense of their level of professionalism and commitment to customer satisfaction.
In order to meet your brief, it's best to choose a builder that has constructed other custom homes in a similar style to what you're looking for. If you're looking to build something unique, you'll need a builder that offers design flexibility and can customise your home to suit your lifestyle requirements.
Unlike project builders that have display homes for you to view, you'll need to investigate a custom builder's portfolio yourself. View their website to see their previous projects and drive past them, if possible. Have the homes stood the test of time? Do you want similar features or design details? Are they of the same quality that you're looking for in your own home build?
Builders must adhere to certain legal obligations that ensure your home is built safely and meets quality standards. They must be licensed by NSW Fair Trading, provide a warranty on their work and hold the appropriate level of insurance coverage to protect you from financial loss.
Home builders also must provide a written contract outlining the scope of work, payment terms and other details.
You can check a builder or tradesperson licence here.
Custom home builders with expertise in building in their local area will have developed strong relationships with other local businesses, such as suppliers. Having access to high-quality construction materials at lower prices ensures a higher level of craftsmanship, helps you stick to your budget, and will see fewer delays to your home build.
You'll have more of an understanding of construction materials options with a custom home builder. This way, you can choose the materials you want and ensure they are within your budget.
Make Sure the Numbers Add Up
A detailed contract and transparency in pricing are key to a successful custom home build. Your building contract should include things such as:
If you're working with a design company separate from your builder, you might like to consider an architect-administered contract, which protects both the owner and the builder.
Custom home builders aren't just responsible for manual labour, they also manage your home build from the planning stage, throughout the construction process and beyond. Therefore, their project management skills are critical to the success of the project.
Your builder should be able to provide you with a construction timeline that states specific milestones to help them allocate resources and prevent project delays.
A custom home builder's service shouldn't come to an end once your home is handed over to you. Because they want you to be happy with your investment long after construction has finished, most custom home builders offer aftercare services to ensure you are completely happy with your new home.
Look for custom home builders that provide customer care that exceeds industry standards by offering service beyond their home warranty obligations, and you'll have peace of mind knowing you can reach out to them after you've had time to settle in.
When you're looking for a Wollongong custom home builder to create a unique home that suits your lifestyle, you can't look past A Class Building and Construction for their reliability, excellent customer care and high-quality results.
Experienced, passionate and professional, our team have the credentials and expertise to collaborate with you on a home build that you'll be proud to live in for many years to come. Contact us today to experience the A Class difference.
