Choosing your builder
Site visits, quoting, comparing, and the fit beyond competence.
- Builder fit — chemistry as well as competenceA renovation lasts months. Beyond competence, choose a builder you can talk to and trust to be in your home day after day.
- Comparing builder quotesThe lowest quote isn't always the cheapest project. Look at scope, provisional sums, programme, and the builder's communication. The majority of customers don't choose the lowest.
- How a quote review worksOnce your builder quotes are in, your planner or build advisor will offer to walk you through them. We call this a quote review. It exists because the quotes you get back will look different in places, and the differences usually matter more than the headline numbers.
- How quotes change after design is lockedIf you received a quote from your builder before the design was finalised, the builder may need to update it as the design firms up. Clarifications and changes during the design phase affect what they're pricing — so the quote you signed onto at selection isn't necessarily the quote you'll take into the Home Improvement Contract. The article describes why and how.
- How to get builder quotesYou'll receive up to three quotes from vetted builders, side by side, in your dashboard. Here's how the flow works.
- How to prepare for your builder site visitsEach builder visits your home, takes measurements, and asks you about the project. A bit of preparation makes the visits more useful for everyone.
- Negotiating with the builderA professional exercise in value engineering — adjusting design, scope, and materials so the work fits your budget. Most builders are open to it. Here's how to do it well.