How to choose a Professional Builder on the Gold Coast?
Building your own home is a massive investment in time, energy and money so you want to make sure you pick the right builder for your job.
Here are a few tips to help you pick the right one.
- Select a builder who belongs to a professional association like the Master Builders Association. This ensures your builder is kept up to date with legislation and compliance issues and has met a high standard of competency within the industry.
- Check with the BSA - ie, the Building Services Authority (www.bsa.qld.gov.au) and do an online license check. What you are really looking for is an indication of the Builders disciplinary record – a good builder will answer NO to all the following questions.
DISCIPLINARY RECORD
Has the Licensee had any of the following:
BSA Directions to Rectify Defective Work NO
Tribunal Disciplinary Orders NO
Tribunal Direction Orders NO
BSA Initiated Convictions NO
Infringement Notices Issued NO
Demerit Points NO
Exclusions, Disqualifications or Ban NO
Other infomation is also provided on the builder eg, work history but be aware that not all jobs may be recorded with the BSA as some builders work interstate especially if they are based on the Gold Coast. - Ask for references - a good builder will be happy to supply the name and number of his happy clients. Give them a call and ask them about their building experience.
- Make sure your Builder is properly insured and licensed - feel free to ask to see their Public Liability Insurance and Licensing documentation.
- Once all the legal stuff is cross checked take the time to talk to your prospective builder. You want to pick a builder that you like and can communicate with because for the length of the build you will be spending a lot of time together. These are the people who take the ideas out of your heads and off the plan and create your dream.
So if you don’t like them from the start or feel that you can't talk with them or you are not being heard then do not employ them as you will most likely hate them by the end of the project and this will add huge amounts of stress to the building process.
What do you get when you pick the right builder for your job?
Picking the right builder will give you peace of mind, quality of work and stress free building or as close to it as you can get.
You have someone on your side that when a problem arises should be able to find and provide the best solution to meet your needs. You are getting their experience and expertise so your build will happen as cost effectively, smoothly and efficiently as possible. They handle the headaches which makes your life much less stressful.