You're about to hand over a very large amount of money. Yet I'm constantly surprised by how few questions clients ask the people they're about to hand it to. So here's the short list I'd ask before signing anything — and the kind of answers you should expect.
How long have you been in business, and can I see your licence and insurance certificates? Both should be current, in writing, and offered without hesitation. If anyone fudges this, walk away.
Where can I see examples of your work — including older homes, not just last month's? A good builder leaves behind a trail of finished homes you can drive past and clients you can phone. Recency matters, but so does longevity. A pretty house at twelve months is one thing; a pretty house at six years is another.
Who is my day-to-day point of contact? You want a name. Whether it's the project supervisor, the owner or a client manager, it should be one person you can ring with a question and get a sensible answer.
What happens if I'm unhappy with something during the build? The answer you're looking for is a process, not a promise. Anyone can say "we'll fix it." A good builder can describe how disputes are documented, escalated and resolved — and give you an example from a real job.
What approvals will be required, and who is responsible for getting them? You shouldn't be the one running between council, certifiers and engineers. That's the builder's job.
Do you use a standard HIA or MBA contract, and can I see a draft now? Bespoke contracts written by the builder tend to be weighted in the builder's favour. Standard industry contracts are clearer and fairer.
Ask these and you've already filtered out most of the cowboys.
If you want a builder who's happy to sit and answer every single one over a cuppa, you can find us at inh.com.au/Melbournewesternregion. As a Melbournewesternregion builder, I build family homes and custom new home projects across western Melbourne — questions encouraged.
