Five tips for choosing the best builder

Home buyers, investors and renovators – it’s not always easy to find the right expert for any property project. When it comes to selecting a builder, you really need to be able to trust them.

Allworth Homes’ managing director Stephen Thompson said that as a builder spends several months working on your home, you need to have confidence in them.

“One thing is for sure, the building process starts long before any concrete is poured.  That’s why it’s important to do your homework. These same rules apply when shopping around for your renovation contractors,” said Thompson.

Here are five quick tips that can help guide you through the selection of builder:

1. Thoroughly look at the building and construction quality. 
   
   You don’t just want your house built, you want it well built. Look for quality finishes, specification and attention to detail when you visit the display homes. Look at the reputation of the builder’s suppliers - are they brands with well-earned reputations for quality? Also ask for customer testimonials and references.
   
   
2. Price is a factor but not because it’s the lowest or highest.
   
   Look for a detailed explanation of price and inclusions in the cost when comparing builders.
   
   
3. Consider the resale of your home.
   
   Will the design earn you money when you decide to sell it in the future? Carefully consider your completed costs. On the resale market, similar plans fetch similar prices, no matter how much you’ve spent compared to another. So think about this carefully.
   
   
4. Don’t be fooled by the over the top extravagant display homes.
   
   Lots of display homes are dressed and designed with all the style trimmings in mind. Look beyond that and analyse what’s practical for your budget. Consider the floor plan and flow of the house to see if it’s the right fit for you and your family. If you are looking around display homes, then here's a guide to keeping your head above water.
   
   
5. Check which areas the builder will build.
   
   This is the question you should ask first. There would be nothing worse than falling in love with that perfect design, only to find out that the builder won’t build in your area.

Source: Allworth Homes