Why Choose Quality Over Price?
Let’s be honest, no one wants to build a house that’s going to take the rest of their life to pay off. In saying that, we all have specific wants and needs that can increase the cost of any home.
You may find yourself fighting an internal battle to find a happy medium that caters to both your needs and your budget. However, you should never sacrifice quality over the price of your Illawarra home or seek a “simple” quick fix.
It takes a lot of hard work, time and effort to build a quality home, so why would you risk jeopardising the design and integrity of your space just to lower the cost? When you begin building a home, it’s crucial that you undertake the research necessary to find a trustworthy Illawarra home builder.
Should I pay for a quote?
It’s generally a good idea to choose an Illawarra builder who charges for a quote, rather than someone who is willing to give this away for free. Builders who take the time and effort to put together a comprehensive quote will take all aspects of your build into consideration in order to deliver a price that will closely align with the overall cost. In comparison, a free estimate will only give you a very rough, ballpark figure.
Do I need a building contract?
If you’re looking to be smart and save, you must ensure that you’re effectively going through all of the building stages. For instance, if the total cost of your building project is over $5,000, then the builder must create a contract. This applies even if they split the contract into several smaller amounts.
To avoid disputes about cost down the track you should also avoid Prime Cost and Provisional Sum items wherever possible (this includes fixtures, fittings and technical processes such as excavation and soil testing reports). This will help your builder gain a more accurate estimate of the total cost of your project. It’s also worth consulting your Illawarra home builder during the design phase to ensure all your selections are suitable for your budget.
Should my builder have building insurance?
If the total cost of your building project exceeds $20,000, your Illawarra home builder must invest in domestic building insurance and provide you with a copy of the policy and a certificate of insurance which covers your property. This must be purchased and presented to you before you pay a deposit or any other fee.
The main reason it’s so essential to find a trustworthy builder is because building insurance only covers so much. While it protects clients in the event that their builder cannot finish the project due to death, becoming insolvent or, in rare cases, disappearing, claims on the policy may be limited to only 20% of the contract price if the project is not complete. Whereas, in all other cases, your home builder is required to fix or complete works in accordance with the contract. Domestic building insurance also covers costs up to $300,000 to fix structural defects for six years and non-structural defects for two years.
By choosing to build, you’re automatically committing to your project for the long haul. Building is not something that can or should be rushed if you’re wanting a quality home. Sourcing high-quality materials and tradespeople takes time, as does the construction of a quality home.
If you’re in the market for a high-quality Illawarra home builder who has your best interests at heart, get in touch with the friendly team at Smartbuild South Coast today.