So, you’ve made the decision build your perfect home. Before taking the plunge, it’s important to be equipped with some basic information to ensure your project runs smoothly. We have come up with 5 tips that will help make the whole process a stress free and enjoyable experience.
Choose Your Builder Wisely
We’ve all heard of dodgy builders that don’t do the right thing and make a downright mess of your promising building project. As a result, choosing the right builder for your new build is up there as your number one priority. If you do enough research and practice due diligence prior to signing on that dotted line, you will save lots of time, money and heartache in the long run.
Some of the things to look out for…
- Ensure the builder is fully licenced, insured & a member of either Master Builders or the Housing Industry Association? (MBA - HIA).
- If they haven’t come to you as a referral, request to view any past work & get a hold of some professional references to look at.
- Make a phone call to the Department of Fair Trading and find out if there are any serious complaints that have been lodged against them by dissatisfied customers in the past. If so, count your lucky stars & move on to the next one.
- Does the builder have a certain building style or design credentials you’re looking for? If you desire something more bespoke & high end, you may need to consider a builder who has proven expertise in this area.
- Are you comfortable with the builder? Do your personality’s mesh? Given that you’re going to spend months working together, ensuring you like & respect the builder is crucial to a successful building project.
Increase Your Budget Expectations
With material costs on the rise, building a home may not be as affordable as it used to be compared to 5-10 years ago. If you have budgeted for a certain amount, you may need to factor in an additional 15-30% on top of that – to cover further unexpected costs such as installing additional fixtures and fittings, electrical and plumbing works, changes to architectural plans; as well as construction related fees such as council applications, permits and site testing services.
Plan Well
Do you know exactly what you want in your home? Butler’s pantry? Powder room? Double garage? Swimming pool? What about the layout? Do you prefer a bigger home and a smaller outdoor area or vice versa? These are things you need to know ahead of time. Whether you’re liaising directly with an architect, draftsman or using an innovative online design tool, you want to make sure you get the floorplan right from the outset. If you change your mind during the construction process, have a chat to your builder and see if they can tweak minor changes to suit your requirements.
Reduce Costs Where You Can
Shop around and try to find the best deal where you can. With a plethora of online retailers available, you can source a range of affordable options to help keeps costs down and save you thousands of dollars in the long run. From fixtures and fittings, bathroom tiles, carpeting, bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinetry, you can source a variety of quotes from local suppliers to ensure you get the best deal.
Read Through The Contract
You don’t want to be caught unaware with surprise construction costs. For extra peace of mind, read through the contract with your builder and discuss any concerns you might have from the very start. What is the timeline for completion? Are there additional construction costs you weren’t aware of? What is insured and what isn’t? Is there a builder’s warranty included? These are all very important things to know and understand before going ahead with the build. If you’re still not sure, engage a legal professional to look over it for you.
Specialising in both residential and commercial construction, Sienna Built is a team of committed professionals that will stop at nothing to deliver a high quality & professional service to our valued clients.
For more information on our building solutions, please call 0402 318 295 to discuss your requirements.