You may have heard horror stories about builder and owner squabbles due to half-finished work or budget spiralling over.
Choosing a dodgy builder can result in many funny scenarios you don't want to deal with. Delays, low quality of work, disagreements and cost blowouts are some of the issues that bug most property buyers.
Don't get lured in by cheap quotes or rush into a contract with the first builder you talk to. It's essential to take the time to find someone with whom you're confident.
Remember - a cheap initial quote won't matter if the project takes months longer than it was meant to. In the property development world, time is money.
Choosing The Right Builder For Your Property Development
Choosing a builder is like starting a new relationship - you need to be transparent about your needs with one another from the beginning for your relationship to work.
We understand that building your new home is a big deal- so you need a builder you can trust. When you choose a builder, always look out for an experienced, professional and well organised one so that you can feel confident about them.
The Essentials
1. Keep everything on track
Most property developers will agree that the right builder is worth every dime. You can keep everything on track and costs are minimal without compromising quality. Working with a good construction company makes projects simple and exciting.
It may seem logical if you're thinking of having construction work done to start by approaching a builder, but don't be too hasty.
I advise contacting your builder once you have a set of drawings and a list of what is included (and what is not included). Otherwise, you can base your project on numbers far from the final cost.
2. Be clear with your goals.
Before you start looking for a builder, ensure you have a clear idea of your goals for the project.
It is easy to get overwhelmed when planning to build your first property, but take your time to comprehensively analyse your site's data and property insights and make informed decisions about what's realistic for the build. Knowing all the details, including your material specifications, will make it easier for builders to discuss your project with you and give accurate quotes.
Once you decide on the scope of your project, you can then zero in on the type of builder you want the project to be dealt with.
Pro tip: be realistic in your expectations. Suppose you're looking for the most appropriate balance of low price, high-quality work and premium builders. In that case, this may not be possible, so decide wisely what is the right fit for you.
3. Find the right person to do the job.
“A good builder can convert an attic or build a basement.”
Finding the right property builder is like finding a needle in a haystack. Find a builder who understands what you need and is enthusiastic about helping you meet your timeframes and goals.
You can, of course, go to a basement company, and they, too, know how to do a great job. However, the most important thing is to find someone who will do good work for the right price.
The combination of a clear concept and the best builders reflects on your project's outcome.
4. Learn to manage multiple contractors.
It may seem wise to engage multiple tradespeople, such as carpenters, plasterers, and electricians, instead of allocating your project to one contractor. Managing multiple contractors takes mettle and experience but is eventually cost-effective.
5. Clear communication can go a long way.
I've mentioned it already, but I would like to emphasise again that it is vital to be specific about your project from the beginning. A set of drawings is a good start, but other factors need your attention.
It would help if you clarified precisely what the builder is being asked to include in the price. If the work involves fitting a bathroom, for example, who's supplying the hardware, taps and tiles? If the builder is to supply them?
If you want to supply the tiles yourself, who's supplying the adhesive and grout? Unless all such things are clear, there's potential for misunderstandings and arguments over money once the work has started.
Communicate clearly on expected timetables, then give the builder the time to do what's required.
Make Your Project a Win-Win
When you choose a builder for property development, keep in mind that you are ideally looking towards a long-term relationship. If you find someone you trust, communicate with well, and enjoy working with, they'll be able to help you with many more development projects in the future.
A critical step some home buyers miss is checking licences and past testimonials, which is crucial to understand their personality and work value.
Again, my advice is to be really organised. And if you found this post helpful, like it, bookmark it and share your thoughts below. Explore SB2 Build's insightful blogs.