Visions of soaring vaulted ceilings, an LED-lit infinity pool and enormous patio deck in your favourite reimagined hardwood may be only within your reach if you quit the real estate classifieds in search of the perfect address and put your faith in designing your very own custom prestige property.
If you’ve been dreaming of owning your ideal dwelling by building your dream custom home from the plans up, this is not the time to be blinded by emotions.
There are plenty of dodgy operators in the building industry, which means you need to be well-prepared in order to the right local builder who shares your vision and who can create the best outcome for your family and lifestyle.
Not all Gold Coast custom homebuilders offer the same service and prices vary, but one thing often rings true, you will get what you pay for. This is why when undertaking the project of building your bespoke home it’s not the time to economise on quality.
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To simplify the process, the team at Bounds Constructions has compiled a list of questions we emphasise should be your benchmark before signing any contracts.
Here are our top 10 tips for choosing a trusted, established Gold Coast custom homebuilder.
Hiring an unlicensed builder to construct your new home is asking for trouble. However, you’d be surprised how many builders offer services without them being recognised by the governing bodies, such as the Master Builders Queensland or the HIA (Housing Industry Association). Make sure your builder is compliant and provides insurance cover for both the onsite project and workers by asking for a copy of the insurance to confirm it is current. Check current Building Licenses on the QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission) website, which is also a great way to flag any past issues or conditions placed on the licence.
Avoid anyone who talks the talk yet can’t back it up with proof. An established builder with more years under their toolbelts provides peace of mind for clients looking for experience and comprehensive knowledge of the building industry, especially if you’re looking at quality bespoke homes. Also discuss the builder’s financial stability to ensure they don’t run out of funds and leave your project unfinished.
Everyone wants to love the home they’re in, so one of the best ways to determine whether or not your builder can deliver is talking to clients who’ve experienced the service. Your builder should be willing to provide a few previous client numbers to call to ask how the build went, whether the builder was easy to communicate with and if there were there any issues along the way.
This is an important yet often overlooked enquiry because it gives you a good indication of how stretched your builder might be when it comes to delivery dates and timelines. You need to confirm your home receives the right amount of supervision and attention to detail you have been promised. The team at Bounds Constructions won’t commit to more than we can manage, so we set achievable deadlines and client expectations by only taking on a certain number of clients per year.
Employing qualified tradespeople and sub-contractors is paramount to maintaining deadlines and quality control on all jobs. It takes time and effort to source good people, who will work to the highest expectations of a premium quality builder. A good bespoke builder relies on the same trusted team because they have proven their capabilities. Owner-operator Jim Bounds of Bounds Constructions says once he found his team of workers there was a strong incentive to hold onto them for every job, knowing what to expect, while fostering their skills to help them grow with the brand.
Ideally you want the builder himself to manage your project as there are many factors influencing a luxury custom home building that need daily attention. As your home is unique, your builder will require a trusted supervisor who shares the same vision to ensure your bespoke home is realised exactly as you imagined.
The more detailed the specifications, the more you will understand what will be included as to what you are getting and what won’t be included in the build, which results in less stress and a smoother process with no surprises along the way. Steer clear of any contractor not offering a ‘fixed price’ contact because this could blow out the timeline and budget. In most cases, the only increase to the contract is if you decide on extras or variations from the original plans.
The size, detail and location of the build will determine the build time required. Your builder should be willing to explain the timeframe of your project, so you understand the process, and keeps you up-to-date with information along the way.
This is rarely done due to the safety obligations, scheduling, and warranty issues that may arise. A quality bespoke homebuilder will provide warranties for products and materials used that will not be less than 12 months and in some cases be lifetime or longer than a decade. Therefore, if a client supplies labour or materials, these are not covered under the builder’s warranty and insurance. To ensure you choose the interiors and finishes you desire, a quality bespoke builder will take you through the selection process, offering their expert guidance when you meet with the interior designer, cabinet maker, and other sub-contractors.
A good site manager will always compensate your needs to visit the build site because this helps reassure you that the project is on track and so you can discuss any issues should they arise. A quality builder will schedule a site meeting to ensure the site is safe for you to access.
Remember, the best builders will be the ones who communicates openly with you and keep you abreast of all the developments throughout the building process, even going so far as to give you their direct mobile number.
If you’re looking for a quality bespoke builder who’s more than happy to help you realise your dreams of a beautiful custom home on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane, contact the team at Bounds Constructions today on 0402 633 406.
