How to choose custom home builders
Thanks to the coronavirus and record-low interest rates, property values in much of Australia are on the rise. This means, if you’re in the market for building your ideal custom home, there’s no better time than now.
Finding custom home builders in Ipswich, doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right team of builders, you can marry quality with cost-efficiency.
We’ve put together a list of 7 important questions to ask your custom home builders so you get the most bang for your buck.
1. Why Should I Hire You?
Every custom home builder should have some unique “philosophy,” or vision statement about why they do what they do. When you’re paying to build something as personal as a custom home, you need to hire builders whose “vision” fits your own.
Ask different custom home builders in Ipswich what their building philosophy is. Your ideal builders should provide your ideal levels of:
- Quality
- Value
- Communication
- Style
and more. Don’t be afraid to be straight with them and ask simply, “Why should I hire you over someone else?” Knowing what makes your builders unique will give you confidence that they will create your perfect home.
2. How Will Construction Be Managed?
Who exactly will be doing the work once the project is set in motion? As a home owner, you need to ask how your project will be managed once construction starts.
Ask your custom home builder how often they are personally onsite. Who is in charge when they are not present? How many subcontractors are used and how reputable are they?
There are many moving parts in custom home building, so find out just how many people will be involved in your project. You should also know at what steps each player will be involved in your build.
3. What’s The Timeline On A Project Like Mine?
If you’re not careful to choose the best custom home builders, you may find that your project is dragging out longer than expected. Save yourself months of headache and undue costs by getting a firm answer about how long your project will take.
Make sure to ask this important question before you sign any contracts.
Of course, change orders, backorders, even weather, can all affect the timeline. While it’s important to be reasonable and expect the unexpected, you should still start with a timeline and agree upon it with your builders.
4. How Often Can I Expect Communication From You?
Will you get weekly updates? Bi-monthly? Only when there’s a major change needed?
You need to know what the status of your build is as you go. Better to ask how often you can expect communication at the start. This way, you’re not sitting around twiddling your thumbs, waiting for an update.
If you can agree with your custom home builder on a regular schedule for communication, your project will go more smoothly.
You also should be courteous and aware of how often your builder may need to hear from you. Especially in the case of changes you may be requesting. Make sure to let your builder know of any desired changes early enough for them to make adjustments.
When it comes to communication, more is generally better.
5. Where Can I View Your Portfolio?
Does your custom home builder have an updated portfolio you can browse? This is one of the best ways to ensure you’re hiring a custom home builder that suits your tastes.
If your builder also has recent projects you can visit in person, even better.
Take a tour, check out the details, see things in person. The more you know about your builders and their experience level, the more likely you are to be satisfied with the end result.
You should also ask if your builder has any recent customer reviews you can read. Always see what past clients are saying about their experience with your builder.
If possible, seek out past clients to get a candid response. It’s wise to get at least 3 or more honest responses from past clients so you have a general idea of what to expect.
6. Do You Offer a Warranty?
One of the most important questions to ask a custom home builder in Ipswich is whether they offer warranties on their projects.
In Ipswich, there should be a specific organization where your home’s warranty should be registered. Do some research and find out what kind of warranty your builder also offers.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when commissioning a custom home to be built is to forget to research the warranties offered. Make sure you’re comfortable with the level of coverage your builder offers.
7. How Do Change Orders Get Processed?
No matter who your custom home builders are, there should always be a written form for change orders. This protects both you and your builder from undocumented changes or budget adjustments from happening.
Those written forms should include how much the needed change will affect your end cost. They should also include how much time the desired change will take.
Often, change orders will delay a project (though not always). It’s important to know what the right process is for requesting a change. You should be sure your builder intends to submit the right forms to you before they make any adjustments to your project, budget, or timeline.
Find Custom Home Builders in Ipswich Today
If you’re ready to find great custom home builders in Ipswich, we’re here to help. Our team of experienced professionals takes pride in creating the perfect home for every family we work with.
View our gallery of past projects and see what possibilities await you. Also, feel free to reach out to us any time with further questions about your next custom home build.
