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Choosing a Builder

In any building or renovating project, the builder is one of the most, if not the most, important elements.  Therefore it is vital to take the time to choose the right builder for you.  We’ve put together a guide to ensure that your builder is successful for you.

What to Look for in a Builder

There are several things that you should look out for when choosing a builder for your home improvement project.  These include:

• Quality – you want the work to be carried out to the highest standard.
  
• Efficiency – your builder should be able to complete the work within the agreed time frame.
  
• Reliability – you should feel confident that the builder will show up on time every day. 
  
• Character – because the builder will be spending so much time with you during the project, you want a builder that you will get on with and that you like.
  
• Licensing – it is vital that your builder is correctly licensed according to your state’s guidelines and the type of work that is being carried out. 
  
• Insurances – your builder should have the correct insurances such as home warranty insurance to protect you in case anything goes wrong during the building process.
  
• Reputation – ask your family and friends what they have heard about your builder and the work that he undertakes.
  
• References – ask the builder for references and take the time to view them for yourself.  Also speak to the people that have used him in the past to find out if they were happy with the work undertaken.
  
• Specialty – many builders specialise in different types of renovation or building projects so it is important to find one that suits the type of project you will be doing.

Questions to Ask Your Builder

Once you have found a builder that you like the look of, there are some questions that you need to ask to ensure that they are the right person for the job.  These questions are:

1. Will you be supervising the project?
   
2. What other projects are you currently working on?
   
3. What happens if there are problems with the work?
   
4. When do you expect progress payments?
   
5. Will you be cleaning the site when the work is completed?
   
6. Do you have the correct licensing and insurance?
   
7. What deposit do you require?
   
8. How long will the project take?
   
9. When will the project begin and end? (ask for dates)
   
10. Will there be a contract and what sort of contract will it be?
    
11. How much is the total project?
    

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