Written by
Nov 12, 2024 7:00:00 AM
You’ve chosen your community, you’ve picked your homesite, now it’s time to select a builder to bring your dream home to life.
Your vision for your new home lies with your chosen builder, so it’s essential to make the right decision that suits your budget, customisation needs, timeframes and expectations. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when searching for your perfect match.
Apples with apples
You want to make sure you’re comparing like for like. Builders will sit somewhere on a scale from budget to boutique,
What’s important, is that you know why things cost less with one builder than they do with another – are they using more affordable materials? Are there less inclusions?
The best way forward is to gather similar quotes from a few different builders and ask if there are any deals or offers available to you. Make sure you include the administrative elements such as project management fees when comparing quotes.
It’s also good to ask the question ’what is different between the builder quotes?’ It might be that one quote makes a conservative assumption regarding soil classification and slab design, while another takes a more liberal approach (which can increase your construction cost should the soil classification come back as reactive).
If you are purchasing a House and Land package it is also important to understand what is included when it comes to items like site costs, driveways, fencing, flooring or other items that may make your final build cost ‘turnkey’.
Reputation counts
Do some digging on the builders you have shortlisted and find out the experience of other customers.
Google Reviews can be helpful, but you’re also entitled to ask the builder if they can provide a couple of references. Be sure to ask about timelines, delays, variations and communication as these can be a ‘make or break’ for your build experience.
Worthy workmanship
Check out the builder’s handywork for yourself. A display village is an easy way to do this, or perhaps one of your new neighbours has used the same builder?
If you have a 'tradie’ friend, take them along too – they might be able to spot things you don’t know to look for.
Can I customise?
Is the option to customise your home important to you? Builders will have different levels of customisation available – some may allow you to choose from a range of pre-designed façade and home layout options, while others may allow you to change as much as you like to add your own personal flair.
If you have specific design preferences in mind, check the builder offers flexibility in their plans and inclusion options to accommodate your needs.
Timing is everything
Discuss the timeline for the completion of your home and make sure it aligns with your schedule.
Understanding how long your build will take, including the administration before and after construction, will allow you to plan for your own commitments, whether that is selling another home, ending a lease or other life milestones.
Knowledge is power, so the more you understand about the timeframes around your home-build, the better prepared you’ll be.
Go for green
If sustainability is important to you, ask about the builder’s approach to green building practices.
Look for builders who incorporate energy-efficient features such as solar options, EV chargers and rainwater tanks. Some will also use sustainable materials and eco-friendly construction techniques to minimise environmental impacts and reduce the long-term running costs of your home.
Trust your instincts
Building a home is a collaborative effort so it’s essential to feel comfortable working with the builder and confident in their ability to bring your vision to life.
Open communication and transparency create trust. Choose a builder who is transparent and keeps you informed every step of the way. If they aren’t responsive to your questions and concerns in the early stages, it may be hard to get information and updates from them during construction.
It’s important to work with a team you feel comfortable with, so trust your instinct during your initial meetings to ensure that you have confidence the team you’re bring on your homebuying journey with you.
Where to start
The Sage Sales Centre is the best place to start. You can talk to the team about our preferred builders who understand the community and its guidelines to ensure your home design will be easily approved. The team can also take you through all the house and land packages on offer, which may already have a builder included.
You can also find our house and land packages on the website where you can explore some pre-packaged options.
