Choosing A Builder Is Not Just As Simple As Opting For The Lowest Bid

When you are looking to hire a builder whether for a large project like a new house build or for something like a new garage, extension, renovation or re-modelling work you need to choose someone based on more than just them having the lowest bid. You might get cheap work but you certainly do not get the best builder this way with the kind of experience and skill you should focus on. There are several Gisborne builders you might choose from and get a few bids but then there is more to choosing who you want for your home improvement work if you want to avoid someone who takes your money and leaves, does shoddy work, is unprofessional, goes over budget and a number of other problems that occur with ‘cowboy’ builders.

What to look for

Here is a look at some of the questions you should ask and the things you should check into to better ensure you are basing your choice on more than just a low initial quote. These are things to ask their references or former clients. If someone has recommended a builder to you these are also questions to ask them. Before you have a visit or ask for a quote, write them down so you won’t forget anything and you record their answers and better compare them. You can then find the better builders Gisborne has to offer.

1. Why did you choose that builder over other options?
2. How would you rate the overall experience?
3. Did they communicate well and answer emails, phone calls and such?
4. Were there faults you discovered when they were done and did they come back and take care of them without charge or issue?
5. Was the project finished on time and on budget? If not, were the reasons things that were out of the builder’s control or was it their fault?
6. Did they properly supervise on-site work?
7. Did the bill at the end of the job match the quote they gave at the start?
8. Was the site kept tidy and the area kept clean?
9. Would you use this builder again for your next project?

If you find that one builder seems to have timing issues but had the lowest cost, one was unprofessional on site, and another did good work and gave a detailed invoice and came in on budget then you would choose the latter.

Other considerations

Looking at the references of Gisborne builders is important and is the best way to learn about the builders and how they operate. Yet so many people either do not ask for references or ask but then do not contact them. If more people did check, builders might be a lot better at things like being tidy, professional on time and so on, because they know that their next client is going to talk to their last client!

Summary

Choose builders Gisborne with experience, a good reputation and good proven skills, not just because they are cheap.