Builders are an integral part of any construction project. Your builder’s skills, experience, and expertise level in the industry will determine how well they execute their work and turn your vision into reality. Whether it’s a simple renovation project or a new build, getting a qualified and reliable builder is crucial. You also need to be cautious of any ‘cowboy’ builders as this would in turn cost you a fortune. But what are some of the mistakes you should avoid when hiring a suitable builder for your new build?
Mistakes to avoid when choosing a builder for your new build
Hiring an unqualified builder for your new build is one of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make. You need to be diligent when finding a suitable builder for your project. Most times, you’ll find that incompetent builders tend to offer some of the best deals. Most homeowners make the mistake of choosing a builder simply because their deal is too good instead of being thorough. Some of the common mistakes to avoid include the following:
- Hiring inexperienced builders
- Opting for the builders with the cheapest quote
- Fialure to ask for the builders accreditations and documentation
- Not checking reviews from previous clients
- Failure to have all agreements in writing
- Not asking for a detailed breakdown of the quote
- Paying all the cash upfront
Hiring an inexperienced builder
You need to establish a builder’s experience level before hiring them. Looking at the number of years the builders have been active in the industry will give you an idea of their expertise and skill levels. The more active they’ve been in the industry, the more knowledge they gain.
Opting for the builders with the cheapest quote
Whoever came up with the saying, ‘cheap is expensive,’ wasn’t wrong. This doesn’t imply that hiring an ideal builder should have you breaking the bank either. Getting quotes from several builders is one way to get an accurate estimate that you can use when budgeting and planning for your project.
This way, you can easily choose a builder whose quote is within that range. With the collective estimate, it would be easier for you to spot any cowboy builders that may approach you with below-average quotes.
Failure to ask for the builder’s accreditations
A professional builder should have the necessary documentation like certifications and licenses required to verify their identity and existence.
You should also check if they’re registered with any trade body and whether their membership is active. This will help you establish whether you’re dealing with scammers or trusted builders.
Not checking reviews from previous clients
One way to find out how builders treat their customers is by looking at reviews from their previous clients. Most of them are without bias and they will give an honest review of the builder’s work.
These reviews will help you point out any ‘red flags’ that the builder may have and save you unnecessary trouble.
Failure to have all agreements in writing
The best way to go about any formal agreement is to put it all down on paper. Word of mouth shouldn’t be a reliable way to get into an agreement with anyone. You should be cautious of any builder that suggests a word-of-mouth agreement.
You should also ensure that everything included in the quote is clearly specified in the agreement to avoid any disagreement or surprises while your new build project is underway.
Not asking for a detailed breakdown of the quote
You should be able to clarify with your builder whether the price they give you is an estimate or a quote. An estimate can change at any time since it’s just an approximated value of how much the project might cost whereas a quote is more accurate and can be legally binding if you agree to work with that amount.
The builder should also clearly state all the costs covered in the quote in writing before coming to an agreement. This will help you avoid any unplanned costs.
Paying all the cash upfront
The biggest mistake you can do with a new build is paying all the cash upfront. Most builders ask for a certain percentage for the purchase of materials and whatever else
may be needed for the project. However, it’s very rare to get a professional builder asking for the full payment before commencing the project.
With an idea of some of the mistakes to avoid when selecting a suitable builder for your new build, we can only hope that choosing a reliable builder has been made easier. When the deal is too sweet, think twice! You should always bear in mind that cons have a very lucrative way of enticing their victims.