Choosing the right builder for you.
Whether you are going to be renovating an existing home or building a new one, it is important to choose a builder who has the expertise necessary to build a high standard home, that suits your lifestyle and budget.
A large volume builder, or project builder can offer affordable options for people looking for a cheap house that can be built relatively quickly. The downside of choosing a project builder is they tend to only specialise in building their own home designs and they usually dissuade clients from making changes by charging high variation fees in an effort to streamline building productivity and minimise their overheads.
For people who are looking to renovate or build a custom home, a smaller boutique home builder, can be a wiser choice. Boutique or custom home builders provide a more personalised service to their clients. Custom builders are more experienced in building one-off designed homes and offer more flexibility to clients looking for a home tailored to their lifestyle.
Is your builder legit?
Whether you are building a new home or renovating it is important to choose a builder that is a registered builder and is fully insured.
In Western Australia it is illegal to carry out building works over the value of $20k without being a registered builder. You should be very cautious of any builder that is not clear and up front about whether or not they are a registered builder, or if they are reluctant to provide insurance details.
Know what is included in the price.
Too often when people choose a builder, they make their decision based on a budget price or quote that does not reflect the full cost to build or renovate a home. Some builders will entice people to sign up by giving them a quote, which excludes important costs or contains provisional allowances that do not accurately cover the unique needs of the project. Some common items to check have been priced accurately are earthworks, electrical and plumbing service run-in, energy ratings, bush fire attack levels (BAL), driveway allowances, etc.
When supplying your own architectural plans for pricing, be aware that the builder will not be able to give you an accurate quote, unless you also supply a comprehensive scope of works as well as an accurate material schedule. The availability of structural engineering plans can also effect the final price.
Understanding the jargon.
Two terms that you must understand when comparing builders quotes are ‘Prime Cost’ items and ‘Provisional Sums’. Be aware that these terms are allowances only and whilst builders have a responsibility to include realistic figures in their quotes, there is also a huge range in the cost of many items that could be considered realistic.
Provisional Sums can sometimes make quotes look competitive, when in reality it may actually be very misleading. Be sure to check that the Prime Cost items and Provisional Sums accurately reflect the level of specification you desire in your new home, or you may be exposing yourself to a higher risk of additional costs and your budget blowing out during construction.
Know who you are building with.
Most high volume, project builders will have a team of people working on your build from start to finish. The person who prepares and presents the quote may not be your main point of contact throughout the building process, and with some building companies you may not be able to contacting the building supervisor at all.
With a smaller custom home builder, it is more likely that you will have direct contact with the same people from the beginning of the project, right through to the end. In most cases you will find that the owner of company knows as much about your project as anyone else in the company.
You’re going to be dealing with your builder for many months and it is essential that you develop a close working relationship to ensure a successful outcome. So make sure you understand who it is that you will be building your new home with.
Equilibrium Homes specialise in individually designed single and double storey homes as well as custom renovations. We provide all our clients with a personalised building experience that is stress-free and enjoyable. We make your dreams a reality.
As Perth’s leading custom home builder we strive to achieve the highest standard in every home we build. It is our attention to detail, as well as a high level of communication with our clients throughout every project that makes Equilibrium Homes your first choice.
Call us today on 0402 222 152 and we can begin to make your dreams a reality.