Wednesday, September 2, 2009

What To Look For in a New Home Builder

Most people don't build new homes often, so you really need the final product - your home - to be what you want it to be. Architects and interior designers agree that if you want to be happy with your new home you need to take time in the early stages of the building process.

Builders play a big part in those 'early stages' - they are the one's who are going to make what is down on paper a reality. They are the one's who provide the shell for everyone else to provide their services; without a builder you wouldn't need the electricians, plumbers and painters, nor would you have a home to live in!

When looking for a new home builder you will want someone who guarantees their work. In New Zealand you should check that the builder you employ is a Registered Master Builder. Only Registered Master Builder's can offer you the "Master Build New Homes or Alterations & Additions Guarantee", which covers a percentage of such things as loss of deposit or non completion (should this occur), as well as materials cover and a limited structural cover for up to 7 years. Having a guarantee in place will give you peace of mind.

A good home builder will also have quality check processes in place, where an assigned person carries out checks at several critical stages of the building process, to ensure that any issues which arise during this time are dealt with effectively and cost efficiently, after all you want the service you are paying for to be a quality one!

Look for a new home builder that has a good reputation, I hear you asking "How will I know this?", first of all you should ask to see their work, it's most likely that they will be in the process of building a house when you ask, so arrange a time to see how good their work is or alternatively ask if there are any showhomes which they have built, available to view. Secondly, you could ask around friends and family to see if they can recommend anyone to you. Thirdly, if they have one, check out their website for things like client testimonials and information about the company itself.

If you have employed the services of a design & build type company they will most likely have a builder or building company which they use. This saves you time having to find one for yourself and also keeps everything simple for you, by providing you with all the services in one package.

When you are searching for a new home builder it's important to keep in mind that they will be building your home, the place where you go to relax and be secure. Look for a quality builder and you will get exactly that!



Article Provided By:

Paul Clarke is Managing Director of Landmark Homes, a multi award-winning residential home building company in New Zealand. Paul and his wife first started Landmark Homes in Tauranga 32 years ago and have built a reputation on honesty and quality in everything they do.