Checklist for a Quality Builder

The Basics

A few easy initial checks you can do any time you consider a builder are:

• Check they are a licensed builder and have an ABN (Australian Business Number) — verify.licence.nsw.gov.au
• Check they have an active up-to-date website and potentially an updated and professional social media profile.
• Check for legitimate contact information like an email and phone number. Having more than one way to contact the business, and a way that is direct rather than just a request submission form, shows that the business wants you to contact them. Bonus points for actual names and faces that don’t look like AI/stock photo and information on where they operate (which is ideally local to you).
• Check their reputation and experience. A scan of their website, social media account, Google (or other search engine) should provide an idea of building projects they have done and feedback on these builds. Word of mouth is a powerful tool so consider asking the community on things they did or didn’t do well.
• Check for memberships. Affiliation with other builders or building communities shows they are committed to their work and hold a high standard for the way they run. Examples might include the MBA (Master Builders Association) who focus on education and training or the APB (Association of Professional Builders) who provide industry updates and standards to protect builders and clients alike.

Each of these checks ensures your builder belongs to a reputable business which is the first step in ensuring a quality building result.

Initial Contact

Even in the initial stages of choosing a builder, there are indications that quality is essential to them.

• Check for timeliness: replies within the day or week depending on your format of enquiry e.g. a phone call will often receive a faster reply than an email.
• Check for interest:
  • Asks questions about your building project (things like where you are building, what the project is, your budget, timeframe etc…)
  • Listens to what you want and is willing to work with you for your result — prioritising suitability of their advice over speed of the result.
  • Provides advice on aspects of the build and on matching the build to your budget.
  • Provides explanations on certain decisions and requirements.
• Check for professionalism: this includes politeness and things like a business voicemail, email signature, and detailed well-presented documents.

Timeliness, interest and professionalism are evidence that the building company values your time and your building project.

Before Signing

Before signing a contract, there should be signs of a professional, quality builder. Building professionally is more than just the work on-site, it is visible in the business structure and work processes.

• Check for a welcome email/pack/process — this might be available on website, sent via email or spoken through via the phone. It should include information on the business and the next steps in the building process.
• Check for talk of or the occurrence of preliminary works e.g. insurances, council permits/approvals, plans, soil testing. There is lots of initial work before a new home or renovation begins with associated costs and wait times. This should be acknowledged early in the process.
• Check for a detailed written contract — a proper building contract should be: easy to read and understand, contain multiple pages, have inclusions (or exclusions) for each stage of project, priced in stages if appropriate, show realistic allowances and, potentially offer a fixed price.
• Check for the ability to discuss anything and anytime. This might be either via phone or in person and is important at any stage of the process but especially before signing.
• Check for clarity on the next step of the process: what happens after you sign? Is payment required? What happens before works begin?
• Check for a timeline or schedule of works including an estimated completion date.

The Actual Construction

Once work begins on your new home or renovation, the quality of the work being done should be visible. Here are some ways to confirm things are being completed to standard (from outside the worksite):

• Check for safety measures: perimeter fence and business/safety signs.
• Check for organisation: easy access into the worksite, materials organised, skip bin for waste, materials for the next stage of the build available.
• Check for regular communication: you might feel the need to ensure there is someone working on your building project regularly which is important, but what is also important is regular honest communication and updates for why this might not be happening.
• Check for attention to detail: your builder should be confirming what might be considered smaller choices with you. They also might provide a checklist or progress images for different stages of the build so you can feel comfortable that things are on track and being done correctly.
• Things your builder should be checking: use of professional trades, qualified carpenters and supervised apprentices, the ongoing workmanship of those tradies, and the quality and accuracy of materials.

Even though it is not possible for you to be there for each stage of your build, your builder will be confirming that everything during the construction of your home is being done correctly and to quality standard.

Follow Up Care

Here is when you can confirm the quality of the workmanship that has completed your job.

• Check for a final inspection: when you are able to access your completed home and confirm that things have been finished correctly and have been done well.
• Check for resolutions: if something is not as expected, you should have the opportunity to discuss your concerns and be provided with options for correcting it or alternative suggestions.
• Check for warranties — this is as simple as the recognition of standard warranties like the structural defect warranty. It should also extend to product warranties which might involve the names of the products and their guides or manuals, or the availability to contact the builder or product provider at a later date regarding any issues.
• Check for the availability to contact or discuss any concerns even after the completion and handover of your home.

Once your home has been completed, it should be a matter of enjoying your new space but if there are any questions about the quality of the work, it is reassuring to know you can discuss it with your builder.