Choosing the right builder and home package

It’s more likely that the builder will have designed homes they can build efficiently and affordably, passing those construction savings on to you.

But there are still things you need to be aware of when it comes to choosing which builder to go with. When you’re comparing home packages and think you’ve found your dream home, we recommend asking these key five questions…

Will I get along with the builder?

Having a good relationship with your builder is imperative to what should be an enjoyable process. You’ll be communicating and working with them over a long period to create the home you’ve imagined, so it’s important that you get along with them.

You need to feel comfortable telling your builder what you want, and equally, what you don’t want. Creating a home, even one that is part of a mostly pre-determined package, is a collaboration between you and your builder. If you’re afraid to talk to them, or they aren’t responsive to your requests, you may not end up with your new home exactly as you’d like it. Make sure your builder or their representatives are friendly, approachable people.

Is the home worth the price?

With so many individual parts it can be difficult to determine whether the package price of a complete home is good value. It’s a good idea to do your best to add up the rough cost of all of the inclusions to make sure the package price is accurate.

Also, make sure everything in the photographs is included in the price advertised. Look for asterisks (*) and disclaimers on any brochures and websites to make sure what you see is what you get. Most leading builders have no reason to be anything other than transparent about their home packages, but it pays to check.

Is the display home an accurate representation?

If you’re thinking of checking out a builder’s homes in an existing display village, it goes without saying a builder will always make sure their display home is impeccable. But what about when you pay them to build the exact same home for you on your lot or as part of a house and land package?

Make sure you ask if the home they’ll build for you is exactly the same as the display home. That means the display home features no hidden extras, no upgrades, and no changes of finishes to the ones included in the home package.

Is the builder transparent about the contract?

Once you sign on the dotted line, you are committed to the home you have chosen. You need to feel confident and comfortable that the contract includes everything you’ve discussed, and that there is nothing within it that doesn’t align with your plans or might lead to disappointment.

Again, Australia’s renowned and well-known builders will be more than happy to take you through their contracts and answer any questions you might have. So, if any builder you talk to seems a little shady regarding the contract, be cautious. If you really have fallen in love with one of their home designs, make sure you get a legal professional to read the contract for you before you sign.

Can you talk to the trades?

As well as the expected bricklayers, carpenters, and plumbers, building a home requires a long list of specialised tradespeople such as cabinet makers, tilers, and so on. Each of them has a small but important part to play in how your home will look once completed.

It can make a real difference if your builder makes it a part of their construction process for you to talk directly with the specialist trades at the appropriate time. This could be when selecting particular finishes, customising storage spaces, discussing tiling patterns and styles, and so on. It’s particularly important if you have agreed to make specific changes or inclusions to the home design. Remember, effectively, all of these tradespeople are working for you, so make sure your builder is helpful with this communication.