What Are the Key Qualities of a Custom Home Builder?
When you do a Google search of ‘custom home builders Melbourne’, you’re bound to find more builders than you can poke a stick at. And while it’s great to have the freedom to choose from so many, it can be like buying a mixed bag of lollies - you’re going to strike gold or end up with something you wished you hadn’t bought.
While there are many home builders to choose from, some specific traits to look out for will help you select the right custom home builder. These traits come first and foremost, and if you can find a home builder that meets these criteria, then chances are you’re going to back a winner.
In this article, we’ve prepared a list of the key qualities to look out for when looking for a custom builder so that you can make the right decision. After all, building a house is a big decision. It’s expensive, takes time and can be stressful, so ensure you’re doing things right before you start.
Relationships
Before we go any further, this is the most important quality to look out for in a home builder. A home builder who can cultivate an open and transparent relationship with their client is where everything else stems from and ultimately delights the customer.
If a home builder has a solid grasp on building and maintaining a relationship with their clients, they will most likely display strong character traits in all aspects of the home-building process.
A home builder should have a good relationship with clients, but this same courtesy should also extend to their relationship with vendors and suppliers. A strong relationship with the people who help builders do what they do means they can do this with fewer hiccups and delays.
Transparency And Accountability
Building a home, especially a custom home, can be daunting. So you want to know your builder will be open, honest and upfront if something isn’t going to plan that might impact the build timing or costs.
Ultimately your home builder should be transparent upfront about costs and respect the budget so there are no surprises along the way. So make sure you find a builder who takes pride in being honest. If you smell even a hint of someone not being upfront, then it’s time to find another builder.
Additionally, if something goes wrong - like a delay or an unforeseen circumstance, then make sure they tell you when it happens, not days or weeks later. If a builder owns the mistake or delay, the client is more likely to understand, and the client/builder relationship can stay on track.
It should always be the responsibility of the home builder to advise their clients of any impacts to a home build rather than for clients to spend their precious time trying to get the builder on the phone to discuss things.
Communication
If a builder can’t communicate, then move on. Simple. Communication fits the previous character traits perfectly and is important in any industry. Custom home building is no different.
A good home builder will call you when needed, but a great home builder will be there when you need them to be. They should walk side by side with their clients on a home build - it is a partnership, not a cash-for-service business.
For some, building a custom home is one of the biggest decisions in life they will take. It can come with risk, pressure and quite a hefty price tag, so you must do your research on your home builder and see what people are saying concerning how they communicate.
If you work with a good communicator, you are more likely to be in safe hands. On the other hand, if you smell a sales pitch or feel like they promise the world or increase the price at every opportunity, give them a wide berth.
Service
A custom home builder is working to deliver your dream home, so with that there needs to come a level of service. Service can come in different ways, ranging from how well the builder interacts with clients, the level of respect they have for the budget you are working within, and what people say about them in the public realm. If you can find a builder who prides themselves on delivering a great customer experience, you will likely have found the right builder.
To ensure you’ve found a builder who appreciates and respects customers' needs, go online and check the builders' reviews, send an enquiry email, or perhaps even get on the phone with the builder and see how they interact with you at the first port of call. If they engage with you well from the get-go, it could be the start of a beautiful working relationship.
Expertise And Craftsmanship
It goes without saying, but this trait ties everything together. You will want to work with someone who can deliver on what is promised, but by this point, if all the other traits in the home builder stack up, then you should be onto a winner.
When looking for the right home builder to take care of your home, look for a custom home builder who understands the nuances of what you want and can back it up with expertise.
You can go to a larger home-building company, but more generic and cookie-cutter house options come with that option. The extremely tight deadlines and pressures of working for a larger building company may compromise your dream home. A custom home builder is working on your specific home design without the pressure to cut corners or save time that can come with larger builders.
Custom home builders understand craftsmanship. That’s why they do what they do. They like working outside conventions to create bold and interesting homes for their customers, so when looking for one, look for a reputable and experienced builder and look at their portfolio for reference.
Ready To Custom Build Your Dream Home?
The traits that make up a great custom home builder don’t need to be overcomplicated. They just need to be good at what they do, accountable, friendly and transparent with their clients. Before you sign on the dotted line, do some research, or contact the builder directly. When you feel the builder can meet these criteria, it’s time to move forward with your custom home build.
When you’re ready to start the conversation, at Jem Homes, we’re experts at custom home building in Melbourne. Ask us how we can help you build the home of your dreams!