10 questions to ask before hiring any home builders in Bundaberg

Building a home for the first time can be incredibly stressful, especially if you don’t know what you’re getting into before you start. Even for homeowners with prior building experience, it’s important to ensure you understand all key aspects of a build before signing any paperwork. Here’s our guide on how to make your home build go smoothly, with 10 questions you should ask before hiring any Bundaberg builders.

 

1. Are you licensed and insured?

It may seem like an obvious question, but unfortunately, it’s one you should ask. All builders in Australia are required by law to hold a current builders license, and there are different classes of license for different types of work. Builders should also have their own insurance to cover any incidents during the building process. It’s a good idea to double check that a builder has all this in order - you can also do your own search to check if a builder is licensed in Queensland here.

 

2. How long have you been building homes in Bundaberg?

While builders who have been working in the industry longer don’t necessarily produce better homes than newer builders, there is something to be said for experience, especially if they’ve been in the region for some time. Bundaberg builders with experience in the area will not only have the construction know how you want, but will also be on top of all the hidden costs associated with building a home in Bundaberg, such as building approvals, site preparation and flood prevention.

3. What are the costs and inclusions?

Knowing how much your home will cost to build is one of the biggest factors in deciding the right builder for you. Most builders will offer a starting price for their pre-designed homes, with customisations and additions being an additional cost. Ask the builder to see some of their plans and base prices, as well as a comprehensive list of inclusions – don’t be caught out thinking you’re getting a complete package when some of your key selections may not included.

4. What customisations do you offer?

Once you have an idea of a builder’s base packages, it’s time to discuss customisation. Even if you’re looking for a home on a budget, there’s sure to be a few aspects of your home you may like to adapt. This could be anything from paint colours and tile choice through to layout changes and redesigns. Ask your builder what level of customisation they offer, and the starting price for any customisations you may be interested in.

5. How long will my home take to build?

While some builders offer a guaranteed time frame from contract to completion, others are can be more flexible or ambiguous in the time it takes them to build a home. There are many factors that come into play when building a home including availability of construction teams and subcontractors, difficulty of the build, and unforeseeable circumstances such a inclement weather. While a builder usually can’t give an exact date the build will be completed, knowing their anticipated time frames, and getting this in writing before signing a contract, is vital if you want to avoid waiting extended periods for your home.

6. How long of a building maintenance period do you offer?

All Bundaberg builders must offer a maintenance period after completion of your home during which they’ll cover any minor non-structural defects to the home after work has been completed. The minimum maintenance period for builders in Queensland is six months, however some builders will offer longer periods, such as our 24 months extended maintenance. Your builder should be able to tell you up front how long their maintenance period lasts, and what defects they include under their cover.

7. How will you keep me up to date on the status of my build?

Like any agreement, communication between a builder and homeowner is paramount to ensuring a smooth home building process. Ask your potential builder how they’ll keep in touch during your build, and how regularly they will update you. A good builder will have protocols in place to update you on the status of the build at least once a fortnight so that you can rest assured that everything is on track and discuss any concerns with your builder without having to chase them down.  

8. What quality control measures do you have in place?

When building a home, you want something that will stand the test of time, so it’s important that your builder has assurances in place to ensure the quality of their work. Everything from staff qualifications and experience through to sourcing reliable subcontractors (e.g. for plumbing and electrical work) are important factors in ensuring quality control of a build. Make sure your builder is confident in the quality of their work, and in their team.

9. Can I visit some of your previous builds in my budget?

While most builders will want to show off their highest end projects, it’s important for you to see what a house might look like within your budget. Plans and photos are one thing, but seeing a home in person is what really proves a builder’s skill. Most builders will have display homes of various design and price for you to view in person, or you may be able to view other homes on the market that the builder has completed. In both instances, make sure you ask what was included in the build and what the final cost was – don’t be distracted by flashy extras that aren’t on your must-have list.

10. Why should I choose you over other Bundaberg builders?

While all builders will claim they’re the best, a truly good builder will be able to tell you why. Is it awards they’ve won? Stellar reviews? Decades in the industry? Above and beyond inclusions? Ask all potential builders why they’re different and why you should go with them. The way they respond and your personal connection with the staff will make all the difference in choosing the right builder for you.

Are you looking to build a home in Bundaberg? Contact us today to discuss your dream home – we’re not afraid to answer all the above questions, and any others you may have.