Finding a Builder Checklist

Added: (Wed Feb 11 2009)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Finding the right builder can not only save you money, but possibly get you a better design and an estimate of cost for free.

Finding the right builder can not only save you money, but possibly get you a better design and an estimate of cost for free. A builder-designer should be able to give you an estimate of costs for your building or renovations simply by looking at what you have in mind. This will ensure that you remain on schedule with your budget before you start building.

Of course, there are other things to check out as well. Your builder needs to be registered with the Building Control Commission to provide a Home Owners Warranty. They need to have the correct insurances such as public liability and insurance for contract works in place. They should be master builders and their Housing Association Membership needs to be current.

Driving past their other building sites will tell you whether they make sure of safety for their employees and that the sites are EPA compliant. If they can show you examples of their work, then it's a good idea to take the time to inspect other homes they've built - and if possible, talk to the owners to find out whether there were any delays or other problems. You also need to have from them a detailed list of costs and exclusions. While some builders may seem to offer a cheaper deal than others, you need to be sure that they don't recoup their money by using inferior products in the building.

Building in Victoria? Look online for a wealth of resources on local new home builders, including builder Albury.