There are many Auckland builders – how do you find the right one? Part 2

After you have decided what kind of house you want to build, you need to find the right builder. If your house is going to be in the Auckland region, it really is a good idea to use one of the Auckland builders. Saves a lot of traveling time (and cost) and it is easier to get a local builder back on site if need be.

Tips on choosing the right one of the many Auckland builders: 

There are 565 results when you search for Auckland builders in the Yellow Pages at the time of writing. It’s not easy to find the right one. But even if it takes a lot of time to find the most suitable one, it is time well spent. After all, building your house is a huge investment and you want to get it right. 

There are some review sites for builders in Auckland on the internet, but you have to take the reviews with a pinch of salt. They are only personal opinions. But it’s a start. 

It helps when building companies have a good website, where you can check what they do and have done. 

Ask around. Your architect candefinitely suggest Auckland builders he has worked well with before. 

Talk to at least five Auckland builders and ask them questions like:

• What have they built so far? Can you view the house? Have they got photos?
    
• Have they got testimonials from previous clients? 
• What is the level of their expertise? Older builders have more experience.   
• Do they have trade qualifications?   
• Do the services they offer match your criteria?   
• Are they licensed builders or certified with the Cbanz or Master Builders?   
• Do you feel that they take pride in the quality of their workmanship?   
• Is their approach professional?   
• Do they listen to you? Communication is one of the most important and most neglected aspects of home building. The builders have to understand what you want to achieve. If they don’t hear you while trying to get your job, it is not likely that they will listen to you later once they have got it.  
• Trust is all good and fine, but when in doubt memories are short. So the sensible approach is to put important issues in writing. Can the builders show you how they kept their clients up to date on previous projects? Will you have regular site meetings with written minutes?   
• How do they deal with defects?    
• What guaranties do they supply?  
• Do they have current site safe cards? And will they have a Health & Safety Plan? You don’t want to have an accident on your site.   
• Will they give you a programme?   
• Do they have an Environmental or at least a Waste Management Plan?

Ask the three builders you liked best to give you a quote. Be fair about it and tell them that they have competition and only ask the ones you would give the contract to if the price is right. Pricing a project involves a lot of time and effort on the builder’s site and he should have a fair chance of getting the job. 

If you have employed an architect he can look after choosing the Auckland builders, preparing the tender documents and advice on risks. 

However you are the client and you will sign the contract. It’s your money and your house. So you should be confident that you are signing the contract with the right one of the many Auckland builders.