4 ways to engage a Builder for first time home buyers
Engaging a builder to build your first home is a bit more of an art than a science - but there is definitely a few tricks that can land you a great builder, that aligns with your budget, program and quality expectations.
The four most common ways to engage a builder to build your new home, are:
Developer/ Volume builder for off-the-plan construction (lowest cost, (usually) lowest quality, least involvement)
Custom builder for construction of your design (middle cost, high quality, middle involvement)
Architectural builder for construction of your design (highest cost, highest quality, most involvement)
Each of these options come with deferring outcomes, costs, risks and complexities.
Building a new home off the plan
Building off the plan usually means working with a developer or volume builder to build your home - this is the most common way to build a house in Australia. This type of build arrangement is great if your looking for a low effort, turn key solution for your home. Developer packages usually come with a fixed prices for the house and the land, with this comes less opportunity for customising the design or controlling quality of work.
This model can be the most cost effective way to build a home, but there is less flexibility for clients to input into design and quality of work.
Building a new home with a custom builder
Partnering with a custom builder for design and construction of your home is a very common arrangement in Australia (and my personal favorite!). Usually you’ve already purchased the land and are now engaging a builder to construct on that land.
In most instances, the builder will have a set range of home designs for the client to choose from, or they may be able to create a design based on the client's brief. The contract between the client and builder for this model will usually contain the building design, construction price and program and warranties to meet the intention of the design.
This model can have the most flexibility around design and quality of work, costs are mid range compared to other types of builders.
Hiring an architectural builder to build / renovate your new home
This type of build is where you engage an Architect/Draftsperson to prepare designs for your home and engage a high end builder to construct the home. After design is complete, the design lead usually will help you the client seek tenders from different builders, and will be the contractors main point of contact for the project.
This model can have the best quality of work and design flexibility, costs are high to other types of builders.
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