Sooo... you've had QDH design an amazing new home for your shiny new Brisbane home-to-be! Congratulations! We've loved working with you! Now it's time to find a builder to turn paper into that new frame around your life.
Throughout the design process we would have encouraged you to start talking to builders that seem to meet your criteria for your project. We have probably also already referred some great builders to you we have worked with in the past. But how do you who is the best Brisbane builder for you? Let's crack on with it then.
1. Find a builder who has completed projects similar to yours, and comes highly recommended.
Builders who have a few of your size project under their belts can often be a good choice because they know the challenges of your type and size of project. They will be able to fore-warn you of potential unexpected 'events' or expenses that can occur during a build of your type, and lead the way confidently during the build.
This is not to say that a hungry, ambitious young builder won't do a great job of your build. In fact, a builder that is keen to expand his portfolio of projects under his belt will often take even MORE care to get things 100% right for you, because great future projects similar to yours are at stake for him. Just make sure to talk to some of the previous clients he has worked with if possible and ask them about their experience with him (or her!). If you can talk to previous clients of his, ask them all about the builder's methods, communication and core principles by which he runs his business.
2. Make sure he is a good communicator, but also really listens to you when you speak.
Communication is the key to most successful and happy relationships. There is nothing worse than a 'know-it-all' builder that tells YOU how it is and doesn't listen to you, cuts you off, or tells YOU how it all is.
When talking to your potential builder, trust the 'vibe' that you get when communicating with him. Does he listen to your ideas? Even if your ideas are impractical? Does he take the time to explain why they are impractical, or does he make you feel silly for asking the question in the first place? If you have problems talking with the builder now, I can guarantee that it will get harder and more stressful throughout the build when tensions will be higher, and your money is at stake.
3. Is the builders quote detailed?
Any builder can come around and tell you it is going to cost you $300k to do your project. But can he show you in the breakdown of works in his quote to see where he is getting this figure from? Another builder might give you a quote for $450k, and you get the shock of your life!!! But this second builder can show you exactly what is costing what and how it all adds up to the $450k. Which one do you go for?
Obviously the cheaper price sounds good, and you may reason - "He must know what he is doing, he said he has been a builder for 25 years." This method of reasoning is going in blind, and should be avoided at all costs! That $300k price could turn into $500k very quickly when the variations and unexpected costs that were unaccounted for in the beginning start coming in.
Our advice: ask that builder to show you the breakdown of costs that enabled him to come up with such a 'great price.' And make sure the builders contract is thorough. A well-written and detailed building contract is a protection for both you and the builder.
Enjoy the process, and trust your gut.
There is no doubt that a good builder is hard to find. But we can point you in the right direction with referrals to some of the best builders in Brisbane. Most of us are pretty good at working out whether we are going to trust someone or not. A good builder will allow you to enjoy the process and will naturally earn your trust quickly throughout the preliminary quoting process. A poor builder with poor communication and a vague quote will not earn your trust so quickly.
So trust your gut, listen to recommendations and genuine client reviews and experiences and don't sign until you trust your builder and have a detailed quote and contract all laid out in front of you.
Make sure you get in touch with QDH for more great advice and work with us to develop your home design with you TODAY!
Sam Davies,
Director
Throughout the design process we would have encouraged you to start talking to builders that seem to meet your criteria for your project. We have probably also already referred some great builders to you we have worked with in the past. But how do you who is the best Brisbane builder for you? Let's crack on with it then.
1. Find a builder who has completed projects similar to yours, and comes highly recommended.
Builders who have a few of your size project under their belts can often be a good choice because they know the challenges of your type and size of project. They will be able to fore-warn you of potential unexpected 'events' or expenses that can occur during a build of your type, and lead the way confidently during the build.
This is not to say that a hungry, ambitious young builder won't do a great job of your build. In fact, a builder that is keen to expand his portfolio of projects under his belt will often take even MORE care to get things 100% right for you, because great future projects similar to yours are at stake for him. Just make sure to talk to some of the previous clients he has worked with if possible and ask them about their experience with him (or her!). If you can talk to previous clients of his, ask them all about the builder's methods, communication and core principles by which he runs his business.
2. Make sure he is a good communicator, but also really listens to you when you speak.
Communication is the key to most successful and happy relationships. There is nothing worse than a 'know-it-all' builder that tells YOU how it is and doesn't listen to you, cuts you off, or tells YOU how it all is.
When talking to your potential builder, trust the 'vibe' that you get when communicating with him. Does he listen to your ideas? Even if your ideas are impractical? Does he take the time to explain why they are impractical, or does he make you feel silly for asking the question in the first place? If you have problems talking with the builder now, I can guarantee that it will get harder and more stressful throughout the build when tensions will be higher, and your money is at stake.
3. Is the builders quote detailed?
Any builder can come around and tell you it is going to cost you $300k to do your project. But can he show you in the breakdown of works in his quote to see where he is getting this figure from? Another builder might give you a quote for $450k, and you get the shock of your life!!! But this second builder can show you exactly what is costing what and how it all adds up to the $450k. Which one do you go for?
Obviously the cheaper price sounds good, and you may reason - "He must know what he is doing, he said he has been a builder for 25 years." This method of reasoning is going in blind, and should be avoided at all costs! That $300k price could turn into $500k very quickly when the variations and unexpected costs that were unaccounted for in the beginning start coming in.
Our advice: ask that builder to show you the breakdown of costs that enabled him to come up with such a 'great price.' And make sure the builders contract is thorough. A well-written and detailed building contract is a protection for both you and the builder.
Enjoy the process, and trust your gut.
There is no doubt that a good builder is hard to find. But we can point you in the right direction with referrals to some of the best builders in Brisbane. Most of us are pretty good at working out whether we are going to trust someone or not. A good builder will allow you to enjoy the process and will naturally earn your trust quickly throughout the preliminary quoting process. A poor builder with poor communication and a vague quote will not earn your trust so quickly.
So trust your gut, listen to recommendations and genuine client reviews and experiences and don't sign until you trust your builder and have a detailed quote and contract all laid out in front of you.
Make sure you get in touch with QDH for more great advice and work with us to develop your home design with you TODAY!
Sam Davies,
Director
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