There’s hundreds of builders operating throughout Sydney – so how do you make the right choice for your home?

Although it’s time-consuming, investing time to research your local builders will prove beneficial. We’ve put together a list of factors to help guide you through this process:

1. Reputation

You want to know how well regarded a builder is – whether they’re easy to work with, and if previous projects were completed to a high standard.

We first recommend seeking advice from friends or colleagues regarding who they used for their new home or renovation, as you can better trust that they’re providing an honest opinion. If you’re currently in communication with an architect or builder designer, see if they’re also able to recommend some builders they’ve previously enjoyed working with.

Another way is to seek out reviews for the particular builder you’re wanting to build with. Google reviews are a good starting point but you can also ask the builder if they can provide a list of recent clients that you can chat with directly. Chatting with previous clients will allow you to ask specific questions regarding the builder’s communication and professionalism.

2. Past work and Experience

Most builders specialise in certain build styles. For instance, a builder could be more comfortable and experienced building project homes rather than working with top-end custom designs.

This is why it’s important to choose a builder who has completed similar projects to the style of home you’re dreaming of.

You can discover potential builders who fit your style by searching on social media (try using #sydneybuilder, #randwickbuilder .etc) or reviewing the gallery pages on a builder’s website.
If you do come across any particular projects that you love, we recommend saving these photos to show in your initial meeting as this can help the builder get a good idea for what style you’re looking for.

3. Location

We recommend choosing a builder who is well-represented in your local area, as these builders will be able to offer more competitive pricing.

For instance, if a builder primarily works within the Eastern suburbs, they’ll be more willing to take on your build if you’re located in Bondi rather than Penrith. This is not only because their travel time may be longer, but they may have fewer supplier connections in the western suburbs.

Location may also impact your building quote, as the company may add on some additional costings as a contingency.

Information about a builder’s service area can typically be found on their website or by reviewing the locations of their previous jobs.

4. Communication

During a building project, open communication between a builder and yourself is essential. Being able to trust and easily communicate with your builder can help reduce misunderstandings and delays through the process.

First impressions are really important, so pay attention to a company’s interactions straight from your first enquiry – Did they respond promptly? Did they show interest in getting to know and understand you and your plans?

When a meeting has been arranged we recommend treating it like a job interview, where you’re the one doing the hiring – You’re looking for a builder who is open to your needs and wants while being proactive in offering solutions and ideas.

Another tip is to ask who your contact for the project will be. If this contact isn’t in your initial meeting you should ask to have a chat with this person directly to get a feel for their communication style also.

5. Some final tips:

Always get multiple quotes from local builders

You should always contact and meet with at least 3 local builders to get a quote. This way you can get a feel for the current market and compare the costings.

To make these comparisons as accurate as possible, create a specific brief of what you’re looking for and provide this to each builder so that they’ll all be quoting on the same specifications.

Ensure the builder is licenced

This is typically not an issue, but if you’ve received a quote from a builder and their licence number isn’t referenced anywhere, you can check a builder’s contractor licence by simply searching their business name in the NSW Public Register.

Under no circumstances should you hire an unlicensed builder.

Are you looking for a quality builder for your renovation, extension or new home build?

If you’re interested in getting a quote from one of Sydney’s high-end builders, get in touch with Apex Bespoke Building today. We’re based in the Eastern suburbs and specialise in boutique home builds, residential extensions and full house renovations. Get in touch with Matt today!