Building your custom dream home is a stressful and expensive endeavour, and you need to find the perfect Gold Coast home builder for the job. But how do you go about searching for the right builder? We’ve compiled a list of 20 questions and the importance each one has on your potential project.
The Essential 20 Questions
We’ve thrown together some of the top questions asked by potential clients to Gold Coast home builders so you know what you should be looking for. These essential questions should narrow down the competition and help you make an informed decision on who will be building your custom dream home.
How much experience do you have? Is your experience relevant to my project?
Experience matters. But, experience in projects similar to the one you are building matters even more. You’ll want a builder whose expertise is relevant to your project. You’ll want a Gold Coast home builder who is skilled at building the style of home you are looking for.
How many years have you been building in the area?
You’ll want someone who has been building on the Gold Coast for at least 5-10 years. They should be familiar with constructing homes in the area and be able to navigate all the necessary building codes, inspections, and permits required along the Gold Cost.
Do you work with a reliable crew? Are they trustworthy and dependable?
The crew is the backbone of the project, so you want to make sure the builder you choose to work with has a track record of instituting a work routine and getting the job done on time. You should work with a builder who has established relationships with the tradesmen or subcontractors used for the job.
Do you have a portfolio of your past work?
If the builder you are working with is established in the area, then they should have an ample portfolio of past projects ready for you to view. Their portfolio will visualize their building style and will let you know if they can build your dream home or not.
Do you have at least 3 local clients as references?
Getting the names and numbers of a few local references is always a good idea. If you really want to work with a specific Gold Coast builder, talking to happy customers is a great way to feel at ease about the project. After all, you are investing a lot in your dream home, so you want to make sure you are aware of the builder’s qualifications and work demeanour.
Who will be managing your project?
It is important to establish this from the beginning because some companies head the project themselves and others may outsource to a project manager. You should be able to contact the person heading your project with any questions or concerns along the way.
Are you licensed and insured?
It’s amazing the number of builders that avoid this question, and that should be a major red flag. Your builder should carry all the licenses and insurance needed to cover both the project and the workers on the site. This protects both parties from any loss occurring during the building process.
Can you provide detailed specifications and a written quote?
Before any of the work begins and before you sign a contract, make sure the builder gives you a written estimate which outlines exactly what you are paying for and how much it will cost. This allows you to ask clarification questions if something is unclear. Sometimes, this means the proposal is rewritten a few times, but you do not want to begin the project until all the details are accounted for and in place.
What is the timeframe to build my custom home and what is done to ensure that it is met?
Make sure the timeline that you have been quoted is realistic and honest prior to signing anything. Keeping the project on track is one of the best ways to control costs. Ask your builder how they keep the build on schedule and what they do to keep things moving along. A great builder is typically a great scheduler!
How do you communication throughout the process?
Lack of communication can be one of the most common criticisms thrown at a builder. Make sure to talk with the references about communication. Was it good? Were there problems? You need to be certain your builder is responsive and timely on all requests. Finally, get their preferred method of communication so that it’ll be even easier to get in touch.
Additional Questions
Our top ten questions should easily narrow down your options for a luxury home builder. However, if you want to dig deeper into your top two builders, we have a more extensive list of questions you can use to understand the ins and outs of the builders in question.
- Can my lawyer review your construction contract before I sign it?
- What are the terms and conditions of your warranty and how are issues that arise handled?
- Do you help with design decisions like selecting finishes throughout the home?
- Do you guarantee the quality of your materials and construction?
- What do you do to ensure the project does not go over budget?
- What is and is not included in my building process?
- Can you ensure that my home will be energy efficient?
- What makes you stand out from other custom home builders on the Gold Coast?
- Is building custom homes your only profession?
- Why should I trust you to get the job done?
CMR Constructions are custom home builders that answer every question on here, but can your potential builders? If you are ready to work with a company backed by decades of experience, give us a call! We would love to explain how we meet and exceed client expectations repeatedly.
