The single biggest risk on any build is not the design, the weather, or the cost of materials. It is choosing the wrong builder. So I want to share what to look for, and what to walk away from, when you are putting your shortlist together.
The first thing I'd encourage you to look for is structure. A good builder should be able to describe a clear process from first meeting through to handover. They will have a tidy site, a real office, staff who know what stage your job is at, and paperwork that flows. If you cannot tell from the first conversation how this builder runs a project, that is the answer to your question.
The second thing is happy past clients. Any builder who will not pass on the contact details of previous owners (subject to their privacy permissions) should make you pause. Best-practice builders leave a trail of happy clients behind them and are proud to introduce you to them.
The third is track record. A quality builder gets the job done well, doesn't overrun the budget, and brings the project in on time. That doesn't mean nothing goes wrong — every site has surprises. It means problems get handled professionally rather than buried.
The fourth is presence. A builder with no website worth showing, no portfolio, and no membership of a body like the HIA or MBA is asking you to take a lot on trust. An Energy Smart builder you can trust will be visible, qualified, licensed, insured, and happy to show evidence of all four.
A few practical questions worth asking at your first meeting:
How long have you been in business?
Can I see your licence and your insurances?
Where can I see examples of your finished work?
What is your process if I'm not happy with something during the build?
Will I get a detailed inclusions list with the quote?
Watch how the answers are given as much as what is said. Confidence and clarity tell you a lot. Hedging and vagueness tell you more.
If you'd like to put us through that same test, you're welcome to start at inh.com.au/EnergySmart.
