Here’s how to ensure your builder is the right one for you.
So you’ve decided to build your dream home… Now what? What’s the next step?
First thing’s first, you’re going to need to find a builder who is fit for making your dream a reality. The hardest part of this search is selecting somewhere to start. Fortunately for you, the team at Ramsay Builders is here to provide some guidance. We’ve compiled a few key ideas to consider when selecting for the perfect candidate for the job.
Can you build to suit my block?
The answer to this question matters significantly to the onset of your build. The block you choose to purchase for your build can affect many attributes of your design. You need to consider the following before getting underway:
- Does your block have a slope and does your Builder specialise in this area?
- Does it offer sufficient space for building your new home?
- Will the shape of your block impact your design?
- Where will you position rooms and windows in order to maximise energy efficiency, natural light and privacy?
As long as your preferences comply with Council Regulations and ResCode, your luxury home builder should willingly prioritise these things when taking on the job. Research into your site is highly recommended to ensure you’re handing helpful instructions over. Does it have an easement? Are there any overlays or specific covenants? It is best to make note of all these things before you design a home that won’t work on the block you’ve invested in.
Can they offer what you need?
Can your architectural home builder realistically achieve the build, and equally importantly, can they do so in your desired time-frame? Ask the following questions of your builder:
- How big or small will their team be?
- Are they managing other jobs during this period?
- What time of year will they begin and what kind of weather will this entail?
Don’t stop there. Ensure they understand your brief and the things YOU want from your new home. Are they on the same page as you or are they struggling to see your vision? How did they personally present themselves? It’s not always relevant to their work, but it pays to consider personality traits that could act to hinder the ease of your relationship and/or the job.
Can I make changes to the design?
If you’re not a visual person, it can be hard to imagine what things will look like from technical drawings. If this is you, it wouldn’t go amiss to ask your builder about the plausibility of making changes during construction. Should you decide you want to move a wall or change a window part way through, you’ll want to know as early as possible whether it’s even an option to do so. Such changes can prove problematic during construction, so you want to be aware of your scope for change before you begin. Is your builder open to making changes once things begin, and would this add any further cost to your original quote? Find out these answers as soon as possible.
What’s included in my build package?
This is very important to take into account before your build commences. People can often find themselves disappointed with the finished product, expecting so much more than what isto be included in the specifications and plans. These details are very important to clear up with your builder. Even if you think it’s a stupid question, just ASK (especially if this is your first build).
- Is your budget realistic for what you are trying to achieve?
- What counts as an additional or included cost?
- Do they have everything they require from you to begin the design and build?
- Can you supply your own purchased items and who could install them?
- What’s not included in your builder’s packages?
What role do I play in the build?
Knowing how involved you should be in your build is an important part of the relationship you’re about to invest in. If you’re a hands-on person who will want to visit your site regularly, you should make that very clear from the start. Constantly visiting and asking questions about the build could disrupt the team and slow the process down. It may also be restricted due to OH&S requirements on site.
Clarity on how your builder likes to operate and what they expect of you is a great thing to touch on in order to ensure things run smoothly. Once the contract has been signed, it’s a good idea to have one point of contact. Be sure to check who this will be, so you know prior to things getting underway.
Being ready to build your dream home is well and good, but even more important is having a clear vision of what it’s actually going to look like. It would be ideal to have a solid concept and understanding of what you want included in your space, even before you approach a builder. Are you a family that requires space to grow or are you an empty nester looking at downsizing? It’s important to consider your type of lifestyle – do you entertain a lot, require a larger garage for your weekend motor bike or need a room for your hobbies?
Creating things like Pinterest boards or scrapbooking is a fantastic way to get the design process going. It also offers direction to your builder, who will love to receive any sort of visual insight you can offer them!
We hope this post has given you an idea on where and how to get your dream home underway. Here at Ramsay Builders, our new home builders are happy to help with any other questions, information or recommendations you need to help get started. Why not make today the day?
