Trust is a big part of any building project.
Whether you’re planning a custom home, renovation, extension or concrete swimming pool, you’re trusting a builder with a significant amount of money and something that will affect how you live for years to come.
A polished website and a good sales pitch might get your attention, but they don’t tell you what working with that builder will actually be like.
Before you sign anything, take the time to look beyond the promises and find out who you’re really dealing with.
Check Their Licence Properly
This should be one of your first checks.
In Queensland, you can use the QBCC licence search to confirm whether a builder is appropriately licensed and look at their licence history.
Don’t just take a licence number from the bottom of a website and assume everything is fine. Check that it belongs to the person or company you’re dealing with and covers the type of work you want completed.
A licence alone doesn’t tell you everything about a builder, but if the details don’t line up, that’s a pretty clear reason to stop and ask questions.
Look at Work They Have Actually Completed
Most builders will show their best work online. That’s understandable, but it’s still worth looking a little deeper.
Ask to see examples that are relevant to your project.
If you’re planning a major renovation, a gallery full of new project homes doesn’t necessarily show that the builder understands the challenges of working with an existing structure. The same applies to extensions, custom homes and concrete pools. Each requires different planning, experience and problem-solving.
Look closely at the details, not just the wide-angle photos.
- Do the finishes look clean?
- Do materials meet neatly?
- Does the completed work look considered rather than rushed?
Quality workmanship often shows up in the parts that aren’t designed to grab attention.
Speak to Previous Clients
Reviews are helpful, but a direct conversation with a previous client can tell you much more.
Ask the builder whether they can provide references from people who have completed a similar type of project.
You don’t need to interrogate anyone. A few straightforward questions can give you a good feel for the experience:
- Did the builder communicate clearly?
- Were costs explained properly?
- How were changes or problems handled?
- Did the builder stay involved throughout the project?
- Would you use them again?
Every build can have challenges. What matters is how the builder responds when something doesn’t go exactly to plan.
Find Out Who Will Actually Manage Your Project
The person you meet before signing may not be the person you deal with once construction begins.
Ask who will manage the job, who will be on site and who you’ll contact when you have a question.
At BHB, I’m personally involved throughout our projects. You don’t meet me at the start and then get handed over to someone you’ve never spoken to.
For me, that involvement matters.
I want to know what’s happening on site, make sure the work meets our standards and keep communication open with the owners. When you’re putting your name to the finished result, you need to be involved in how it gets built.
Pay Attention to How They Communicate Before You Sign
You can learn a lot about a builder before construction even starts.
- Do they return calls?
- Do they answer questions properly?
- Do they explain things in plain English, or leave you more confused than when you started?
- Do they listen to what you’re trying to achieve, or simply push you towards whatever is easiest for them to sell?
If communication is already difficult during the quoting stage, it’s unlikely to suddenly improve once the contract is signed and construction is underway.
Good communication doesn’t mean having an instant answer to every question. Sometimes a builder needs to check pricing, speak with a trade or look further into a site issue.
The important thing is that they’re upfront about it and get back to you.
Make Sure the Quote Is Clear
A quote should give you a proper understanding of what you’re paying for.
The cheapest quote isn’t always the best value, particularly if important work, selections or site costs have been left out.
Look at:
- What is included and excluded
- Which items have allowances
- The level of fixtures and finishes being priced
- Site preparation and access costs
- Engineering, approvals and certification
- How changes and variations will be handled
- The proposed payment stages
If something is unclear, ask.
A trustworthy builder shouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable for wanting to understand where your money is going.
We’d rather have the full budget conversation early, even if that means telling someone their original plan isn’t realistic. It’s better to adjust the scope before building starts than pretend the numbers will somehow work themselves out later.
Be Careful With Big Promises
Most people want to hear that their project can be completed quickly, within budget and without any problems.
But building doesn’t always work that neatly.
Weather changes. Materials can be delayed. Renovations can uncover problems behind walls. Site conditions can create additional work. Owners sometimes change their minds.
A good builder should plan carefully and manage those risks, but nobody can honestly promise that every project will run without a single challenge.
Be cautious if a builder agrees with everything, promises an unusually fast timeframe or tells you there’s nothing to worry about before they’ve properly investigated the project.
Sometimes the honest answer isn’t the answer you were hoping for.
That doesn’t make it bad advice.
Don’t Ignore How the Builder Makes You Feel
You don’t have to become best mates with your builder, but you do need to be comfortable working with them.
You should feel able to ask questions, raise concerns and have honest conversations about cost, timing and workmanship.
Trust isn’t built by telling clients everything will be perfect.
It’s built by doing what you said you would do, communicating when something changes and taking responsibility for the finished work.
If you feel pressured to sign, can’t get straight answers or keep being told not to worry about important details, listen to that feeling.
Once construction starts, changing builders is a lot harder than choosing carefully in the first place.
Trust Is Earned Before the First Day on Site
Choosing a builder shouldn’t come down to the lowest number or the best sales presentation.
Check the licence. Look at completed work. Speak with previous clients. Understand the quote and find out who will actually be responsible for your project.
Most importantly, choose someone who’s willing to be upfront with you from the beginning.
At BHB, we don’t promise that building will never present a challenge. We promise to communicate honestly, stay involved and put the same care into your project that we’d expect in our own.
Because when someone trusts us to build their home, renovation, extension or pool, we don’t take that lightly.
Planning a building project and want to know who you’ll actually be working with?
Book a consultation with Brendan and have an upfront conversation before you make your decision.
