I’ve worked in the building industry for over twenty years. In that time, my observations of how homeowners and builders approach either a new home build, or a reno, can sometimes be worlds apart. Experience has taught me to make certain that my understanding, and my clients’ understanding, are always on the same page. Please don’t dismiss what I just said as stating the obvious, because in my experience, your dream of what you want, and how you visualise it, won’t ultimately meet your expectations, unless you ask yourself these four questions before you choose your builder.

1. Have I prioritised what I want from the extension or renovation?

Make a complete list of all your extension/renovation needs and wants. Don’t hold back, talk to you partner and kids, list everything, no matter how crazy some items might seem. The important thing is not to miss anything, because it might be harder and more expensive to add requirements after the build is in progress, instead of knowing about them at the start.

Now take your list and review it with your partner. This may take some time, so don’t be surprised if your review takes a few hours or days instead of minutes. Question everything during the review process. Are our extension or reno requirements realistic? What really matters to us? For example: Do we really need both new outdoor and indoor entertaining areas when we prefer to cook and entertain outside when friends and family visit? Maybe we just need to focus on an outdoor entertaining extension instead of both?

We have 3 teenage kids, and one is in 10th grade now. She wants to go to university and needs quite space for home study. Have we considered a study room location in the extension? Can it be located away from any noisy areas like kitchen and living room? Revisit the priorities after your review and don’t be surprised if your priorities have changed due to more thought and more time for consideration. Now, finalise your list before considering the next question.

2. Do my vision and budget align with each other?

The real answer to this question is determined by two major considerations. Firstly, know how much you are prepared to spend before you ask for quotes. It’s important to be honest and frank with yourselves. You don’t want to exceed your budget, but is your budget realistic?

Secondly, how important to you is quality work? Can you realistically achieve quality you desire with the budget you have? Don’t be afraid to reduce your scope so that it matches your budget. Yes, you might not achieve everything you wanted, but you will be ensuring you have allowed sufficient spending to achieve the quality and service you expect from your chosen builder.

3. Will the builder allow me to contact his/her references based on owner testimonials?

Anyone who either owns their home or is paying a mortgage, is proud of their investment. Homes are not cheap, and when we are proud of our home, it goes without saying that we expect anyone who does maintenance, repairs, extensions, or renovation work, to respect our home and investment. Make a list of prospective builders. Now this is much easier said than done. Advertising is just that, its advertising and nothing speaks the truth more than referrals and first-hand inspection.

If a friend or family member recommends a builder, or if you are impressed by a builder’s website or social networking, before you ask for a quote, ask to contact two or three of the builder’s client references. Any builder who is fair-dinkum and proud of their work won’t have a problem with this. What better way to know if the builder is as good as they say they are, than to ask a past client after the work is done and the dust has settled?

4. May I visit (even a drive-by will tell you a lot) a current project in progress?

The Building Industry has standards, regulations, and practices, that all certified builders and their contractors must abide by. However, that doesn’t mean we all abide by them unfortunately. Before you ask for quotes, ask the builder if you can visit a current project. The builder may even give you a guided tour and introduce you to their client.

However, even a drive-by can be very telling indeed. Does the worksite look safe? Does the team of tradies look organised? Is the builder’s brand signage prominent? Are safety signs and practices evident? Is the site tidy? Are areas that should be fenced off, actually fenced off? Are skip bins safely located? You won’t need to be a builder to know what does and does not look right.

If these four questions have made you think, then regardless of who you choose for your next home build, extension or reno, I will be happy, because you will be better positioned to make the right decision.

Regards,
Matthew King