How Do I... Manage My Relationship With My Builder?

Building a great home takes determination, creativity and a great partnership with your builder, says this expert

Georgia MaddenDecember 5, 2018

In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and garden questions. Here, Stephen Thompson, managing director at Allworth Homes, reveals how to keep your relationship with your builder intact during the often-fraught process of constructing a home.

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When it comes to constructing your dream home, the quality of your relationship with your builder really matters. Not only is this relationship a long one – as long as one to two years if you date it back to the approvals stage – but a positive partnership can also result in lower costs, less stress and a better result. Here’s how to achieve this trifecta.

Allworth Homes

Start by finding the right builder
The first step is to research as many different builders as possible before making your final decision. Here’s how:

View their websites and portfolios to see their work and get a feel for their reputation.
Meet them face-to-face to see how well you connect.
Outline clearly what you want.
Ensure your builder is reputable and that you trust them.
Read reviews from builders’ previous clients.

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Ask the right questions
These include:

Can you achieve what I want?
Do you have the relevant experience?
What are your credentials, licences and insurance details?
Who will be running this job upon commencement, and will they regularly provide me with updated information?
Who is a reliable contact?
What is the timeline for completion?
Can we lock in start dates?
What are the costs involved?

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Be aware of the most common pressure points

Misaligned expectations: Not being on the same page as your builder from the outset can lead to disaster. Make it clear exactly what you expect from your builder by having a defined plan and ensuring that you share the same vision.

Write everything down and schedule regular meetings to check that you are still on the same page and that the project is on track.

Pointing the finger: Rushing to blame your builder without knowing all the facts will quickly sour your relationship. For your contractor to do a good job, it’s important that you trust them. Remember – they are the professional, not you.

If something does go wrong, rather than being accusatory, discuss your concerns in a calm and mature manner in order to keep communication open.

Charm Homes

Delays: Building a home can be a long process and you will find that many things don’t go to plan, including the construction timeframe. The weather is one of the most common delays during a build. It’s unsafe to work in rain or extreme wind, so be aware that building work cannot proceed in these conditions.

Your builder should give you regular updates of how the project is coming along and if anything is running behind schedule. Be patient and know that good building takes time.

Matt Gibson Architecture + Design

Steps to establish a great working relationship

Communicate: Be honest and respectful when speaking with your builder – as they should be with you. If you’re unhappy about something, communicate it in a healthy way.
Don’t assume anything: Make your expectations of your builder clear form the outset and, where possible, have all communications in writing.

rosstang architects

Avoid showing up on-site unplanned: Work health safety rules mean you can’t randomly show up on the job site and make inspections, so stick to supervised, scheduled site visits.

Saunders Building Company Pty Ltd

Have a clear vision: If you constantly change your mind about fixtures or layouts, you’ll frustrate your builder and can cause delays and mistakes. This can slow down construction time and put a strain on your relationship with your builder.

Changes will affect the final price of the job too, which can result in further conflict.

Allworth Homes

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Can you add any dos or don’ts to this advice? Tell us in the Comments below, share this story with those you’ll be renovating with, and join the conversation.

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