Home Builders

Whether you’re undergoing home renovations or building from scratch, hiring the right home builder is essential. Your choice will determine the quality of craftsmanship, as well as how high your stress levels rise! A home design or building project is a huge and multifaceted undertaking, so it’s important to find a local builder you can trust to bring your vision to life and keep the process under control. The Houzz professional directory of home builders is a great starting point to choose the right builder for your needs.

What exactly do home builders do?

Before any nails are hammered down, construction companies perform market research to determine whether the prospective site for a new home makes sense. They also survey the land to make sure it is suitable for construction, and obtain any necessary permits.

Home builders are like captains of a ship – aside from construction, they must supervise contractors; keep tabs on local council regulations, building codes and neighbourhood concerns; inspect work for problems along the way; and perform dozens of other roles that are essential in building a quality home. Some related professionals and vendors to complement the work of building project managers are Architects, Interior Designers & Decorators, Landscape Architects & Designers, Kitchen & Bathroom Designers and Specialty Contractors.

Home builders are responsible for ensuring that the home building project sticks as closely as possible to the specified timetable, which can very easily be jeopardised by the likes of bad weather and late deliveries. When construction timetables do change – and this can be often! – the home builder must adjust everyone’s schedule accordingly. As the home construction is underway, they also must ensure contractors adhere to all relevant building codes. Custom and luxury home builders also need interpersonal skills to deal with clients of all types, soothe frazzled nerves, negotiate conflicts and resolve problems.

Questions to ask a prospective home builder

Previous Work

Ask about how many projects like yours the builder has completed. To make sure you’re on the same page, you can put together some kitchen and bathroom design ideas that align with your vision and share your ideas with your prospective builder. Also don’t forget to look at their reviews for previous work on Houzz.

Pricing

Make sure you understand your quote. Ask what’s included in your scope and what’s not, and be crystal clear on what you’re paying for. Discuss how they charge, and get estimates in writing - don’t hesitate to get a couple of those to help in your decision. Also get clear on how you will be charged for parts and materials as well as labour pricing, and what happens when the cost exceeds the budget.

Flexibility & Timing

Ask for the timeline on your job. When can your job get done, and what happens when there are delays? Also keep in mind that you may change your mind on things, so ask about their policy for change orders, too.

Ensuring your project will go smoothly

Know who will be working on your project, and check that employees are licensed and insured. You should know what you need to provide to the builder so they can do their job, and they should let you know upfront if they foresee any issues with your project.

Find a Home Builder on Houzz

Scroll through this page to find contractors. Then, click on a professional to browse photos of their latest projects and see how their work compares to the scope of your project. Read reviews to see how other homeowners rate their work, and message the home builder or construction company directly to ask any specific questions.

Once you found your builder, take a look at other professionals you may need. No matter where you are, you can be sure to find the right expert to help. Whether you need a Landscape Architect in Melbourne or a Kitchen Designer in Sydney, look no further than the Houzz directory!