Renovating or building a new home is a stressful but also exciting time. It is going to go more smoothly when you find a great builder Macedon Ranges residents recommend. A lot of people like to head to this area in central Victoria, Australia because it is one of the best places to live in the country. To make the most of those amazing surroundings, you need a builder who can do what you want, stick to your budget, and then also get it done within a fair time frame. Here are some things to think about as you look.
Research your options
Talk to friends and family if you have them in the area, as word of mouth can often be a good way to hear of and competent builders that can be trusted. If you are moving into the area from elsewhere you could walk around local neighbourhoods and take a look at renovations happening and even ask homeowners about who they use. Do not assume that a large company might not take your smaller project, most builders will cover a large range of jobs.
Always double-check credentials
When you have some options on a list you need to make sure all of them have experience, stability, training and the right insurance. You can then cross off anyone who is not licensed, qualified or has enough experience with the kind of project you have. Ask them questions about their background and then spend time investigating their truth. Ask for and talk to references.
Make sure their license is real; you can visit Master Builders Australia or HIA to check credentials. Keep in mind that a license is only good for the state it is issued. A builder needs to have a valid license from Victoria. Are they a member of an industry organisation? This is a good thing because it means they agree to abide by higher codes of service. At the least in terms of insurance a professional builder in Macedon Ranges located should have Public Liability Insurance and in Victoria, Domestic Building Insurance.
Have a tender put together
A tender is something you put together to get a quote that is more accurate and detailed. You can work on this with a designer or architect. It should include details on the work, say whether you are hiring third-party tradespeople or the builder needs to subcontract, the plan of the building, soils tests, engineering documents and such. This means the builder can then better estimate costs for materials, labour, fixtures and more. More experienced builders will be able to give quite an accurate quote with that kind of information.
Get a few quotes to compare
It makes sense to get a few quotes from any builder Macedon Ranges based so that you can compare. But your focus should not be only on getting the cheapest one. You want someone with experience, a good reputation, good references, and so on and then look at what quotes they offer. Look for itemised labour and materials for all stages of the work and ask about things like where the power points are going and where the gas supply is which might not be listed.