How To Find a Professional Builder

When looking for a custom home builder, it is very important to research thoroughly before making your final decision. It is best to select a builder who is ‘professional’, but what does this term really mean?

The market is flooded with custom home builders, all you have to do is a quick internet search and you will find more builders available than what you will know what to do with.

When you are renovating and extending your home and investing so much financially and emotionally, you most definitely require a specialist who is used to the interface with an existing structure, not just someone that is a jack of all trades who might not be up to delivering what you are wishing for.

So, what does the term ‘Professional Builder’ REALLY mean, and aren’t all builders supposed to be professionals? “Professional builders” do not operate like other builders. They specialize specifically in what they do which is why you must do more than search for just any builder. Being professional is all about acting ethically and in the client’s best interests. Sadly, not all builders will do this. When engaging with a professional builder, their obligation to you starts from the very first initial contact, not once you sign a building contract, but from the very first meeting. They have a moral obligation not to let you make the wrong decisions, therefore they will do everything they can to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision, even if that ultimately means choosing another building company.

When deciding on a builder, you should, for your renovation or extension, ask to meet the registered builder or owner of the company.

Take a moment to think about it. If you are dealing with a salesperson, they will be all over you pre-contract and telling you what you want to hear, but once the contract is signed, they are nowhere to be seen – their job is done!

Only the owners of the business will be with you from the very first meeting through to the completion stage of your home and beyond.

A professional builder will have specific systems in place to ensure tasks are completed as scheduled. Jobs should be run systematically, and should have a detailed schedule specifying when certain trades are to be on the job site, what tasks are to be completed and when and how long a job will take. Clients should have access to their own schedule and should be kept well informed right through the building process. Nothing should be hidden from the client and everything should be transparent from the start of the job to the handover of keys.

In our opinion, a relationship of trust must be developed between the builder and the client. To us, that means communicating transparently, looking out for our clients’ best interests, and being there to support them long after the job is finished.

If you’re looking for a builder, please contact us. We’d love to help you gather information and show you how we can take you from plan to perfect.