Signing up to build your first home is one of the most exciting and biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make. So, before you lock yourself in, you will want to make sure you’re 100% satisfied and confident with your chosen builder.
We’ve asked our panel of experts for their advice on exactly what questions you should be asking your building sales consultant before signing up.
Here are 5 questions you need to ask them.
What are your building timeframes?
There is no sugar coating it. Building in today’s market with its wide range of covid-induced impacts means longer lead times – be it for administration, materials, or trades.
What was once a 6 to 9-month process to build a single storey home is now take upwards of approximately 18 months, sometimes longer. There are also many other factors that influence this, such as when the titles on your land become available as well as your finance application and approval processes.
Be wary of builders offering guaranteed build times or lead times less than this, as these timeframes are generally standard across the entire industry at the moment.
For renters, the important thing to plan for is whether you may require an extension on your lease or in some cases, breaking your lease.
Is your pricing fixed or provisional?
You will want to make sure that the contract price you sign is a fixed price. This offers security and peace of mind.
Some builders will increase their quote once you’ve paid a deposit, so it’s important to ensure it is fixed upfront.
What are your standard inclusions?
You may be surprised to learn that some builders don’t include some essentials in the cost of your home. Be sure to find out the little things, like hot water units, how many PowerPoints in each room, for example.
This way you won’t incur unexpected finishing costs later down the track.
Can I walk through one of your homes under construction?
See and feel the construction of homes in person. Walking through past and current projects will allow you to see the quality, attention to detail and the care your builder will have with your home.
Browse our range of display homes available for you to walk through.
What kind of warranty and service period do you provide?
It’s wise to confirm the warranty periods offered by your builder. The longer the warranty the more confidence your builder has in its ability to build a home that lasts.
Make sure you find a builder that will stand by you if an issue arises in a years’ time.
We offer a 6-month warranty period and a 25-year structural warranty to provide our clients with complete peace of mind.
Ready to chat to our friendly and helpful team? Be sure to contact us today and we’ll happily talk you through the process to assist in you in achieving your home ownership dreams.
