If we could pass on one piece of advice to anyone about to start a custom new home, it'd be this: spend more time choosing your builder than you do choosing your tapware. The decision about who builds your home has a much bigger impact on the next twelve months of your life than almost any product you'll pick out.
The trap most people fall into is the same one. They get three quotes, they pick the cheapest, and they sign. The price-only approach has cost a lot of families a lot of money — and a lot of sleep. A quote that's well below the others usually isn't a bargain. It's a warning.
Here's what we'd encourage you to ask before you sign anything. Who will I deal with day-to-day during the build? You want a real name and a real number, not just the salesperson who chased the quote. Can I see homes you've finished and homes that are in progress? An in-progress site tells you more about how a Geraldton builder works than a finished one ever will. Will I get a schedule, and how often will it be updated? A builder who can't tell you week by week what's happening is one who can't manage your project.
Then ask about the things that go wrong. Because they will. How do you handle defects identified by the client? What's your variation process? Who pays if a sub-contractor causes damage? You want clear, calm answers — not deflection.
Two things you should also pay attention to that aren't questions.
First, how does the builder talk about previous clients? Bitterness is a red flag. Second, watch how organised they are with you. If quotes are late, calls are missed, and emails go unanswered before you've signed, all of that gets worse once the contract is in.
Choosing the right builder isn't about catching anyone out. It's about finding a team you can trust for a long, complicated job. Slow down, ask the awkward questions, and let the answers guide you.
If you'd like to put us through that process, we'd welcome it.
Have a look at inh.com.au/geraldton and start the conversation.
