While many note that building a home is the most significant financial decision one is likely to make, it is also important to remember that it is an emotional decision.
This means that choosing a home builder that you trust and communicate well with is essential.
Given how many builders there are across Canberra and surrounding areas, this can be overwhelming. To counter this, there are several considerations to take into account to help you narrow down and ultimately choose which builder to go with.
To begin with, think about what type of home you wish to build.
Many home builders specialise in custom homes, while others may be familiar with set designs or focus on renovations.
On the other hand, some builders focus on particular types of homes – such as those on sloping sites or large executive homes, for example.
Another step to take when deciding on a builder is to make sure they have the appropriate licenses and certifications.
One way is to make sure the builder has the appropriate credentials.
In the Australian Capital Territory, all builders must be licenced as per the Construction Occupation (Licencing) Act 2004.
There are five builder licence classes – it should be noted interstate workers may benefit from automatic mutual registration in the ACT.
Access Canberra on the ACT Government’s website has a public register containing all of the licenced builders in the Territory.
Additionally, consumers can all get in touch with Master Builders (MBA) ACT and Housing Industry Association (HIA) ACT for more information.
Another step that can be taken to make sure a home builder is right for you is by viewing their previous work. Most have an online portfolio either on their websites or social media accounts.
Additionally, you can ask the builder directly for references. If a previous home they have worked on is close to your dream, then you may have a good match.
Lastly, upon meeting with the builder, you must evaluate whether or not they can communicate effectively. Building a home can be a stressful experience from design to handover, so it is important to be on the same page with your builder.
If they are a poor communicator, this could negatively impact your experience.
To help make this decision below, we have conceived a list of 25 builders servicing Canberra.
