When it comes to hiring a builder to complete work on your home, it can be hard to know what to look for.
Each builder often has a particular area of expertise, a different way of doing things, and a different way of charging for it. Sometimes it can feel like comparing apples to turnips!
Here are a few key factors to help you find the best builder for your project:
A QBCC license is paramount
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission is Queensland’s building industry regulator. The QBCC is in charge of licensing contractors, mediating disputes and the resulting resolutions, and providing insurance to protect homeowners.
Every professional builder will have a QBCC license number. Most will have it displayed somewhere on their website or marketing materials, but if not be sure to ask them for it.
As part of the building process, your licensed builder will pay a premium to the QBCC to insure project. This insurance is important for you as well as your builder. The insurance that the QBCC provides will cover you in the following circumstances:
- a licensed builder does not complete the contracted residential construction work and you have terminated the contract
- the contractor fails to rectify defective work
- the building suffers from subsidence or settlement.
Some contractors, such as handymen, are not required to have a QBCC license number, provided that the work they do is under $3,300. These projects are not covered by the QBCC and as such any faults you have will need to be rectified via alternate legal means.
Referrals and recommendations
Referrals and recommendations are an excellent way to assess the overall capability of a builder. Builders cannot control a recommendation, and as such, a glowing referral is one of the purest ways to assess whether a previous client is truly happy.
Don’t be afraid to ask around, you’ll notice when the same name keeps appearing.
Look at how they conduct their business
The initial contact and quoting process is a great way to gauge the service that a builder will provide after the project commences.
Is the builder prompt and courteous? Does your builder really listen to your ideas and find a way to incorporate things that are important to you? Are you comfortable with the service and do you feel informed?
The service you receive during the quoting process should definitely be part of your decision making process.
How do I get a quote from ACM?
ACM Constructions are available to quote on projects through Brisbane. Our team specialise in high-end and luxury renovation. You can see some of our teams quality work in our project gallery. Contact our friendly team today for a no-obligation conversation or quote.
