At NHBB we know that building a new house is a massive undertaking and there are so many different things to consider! From the design, to the location, to the budget and of course choosing the right builder...there's just so much you need to know before starting this process. This will help avoid some issues that can arise when building your new home! There are many possible scenarios where problems can occur.
There can be more issues experienced if you have limited knowledge of the process and procedures during the building of your new home. Below are just three of the common issues we hear about from people that are building a home, and some tips on how to avoid them.

1. Choosing a builder based on the cheapest price.

This can be an issue when you choose the cheapest builder without looking into what you're getting for that price. You want to make sure you're comparing apples to apples when it comes to this! Some builders will offer a lower upfront cost, but then charge more for changes and extras as the project goes on. You might feel like you're getting a good deal on something, but then end up paying a lot more in the long run.

Though it can be hard to look past price when planning to build your home, you must zoom out and look at the bigger picture - this is so important for you to get the new home you want for the best price! If you hire someone who's not experienced with your type of build or does not have your best interests at heart... things can add up and become a massive cost over run.

Make sure you choose a builder who has the knowledge and experience to make your dream become a reality!  A building broker can be your best weapon against hiring a potentially disastrous builder.

2. Not reviewing your building contract documents properly and knowing what is included

This happens if you either don't read the contract properly or don't realise what's in it or do not understand what some things actually mean. This is something you'll want to do before signing on the dotted line! One of the most important things about a contract is that it protects both builder and client. It will set out what they can and can't do during the process, and what responsibility each party has. If you sign a contract and find out there's something missing...it could cost you a lot more to have it changed!

Building Contract Agreements include project details, schedule details and cost projections, cost of variations, maybe even COVID clauses, and they should clarify who is responsible for any delays or unexpected expenses that occur during the project.   This may be the first building contract you have ever seen, so how do you know if you should sign it or not? How do you know what is missing or hasn't been included on purpose?  A building broker has this knowledge. We can help you look through the building contract and make sure everything is as it should be.

3. Not planning for contingencies

You’ll need to know who will be responsible for any unexpected expenses in your homebuilding project, and whether your builder has accounted for all of them.

Sometimes things go wrong. You might find that the builder didn't include something that  maybe they should have which can cause an unexpected expense. In this case, you want to make sure you and your builder have some kind of protection- whether it’s a percentage of contract price or a fixed dollar amount set aside for such contingencies.

If you think your builder has not accounted for all contingencies, you want to push back and have them include these. If you  go ahead without having some kind of plan set in place, then there may not be any money left if the situation arrises.

These situations can come up during a build process and it is not until problems happen that you can find out your builder was not fully prepared for them. This can be caused by issues like bad weather slowing down construction or materials that don’t show up on-site.

In all situations, it is best to have a concrete plan in place so you don’t find yourself left short when the time comes.

Building a new home is always a huge undertaking with so many different things to consider. With the home building process, there are always going to be unexpected things that happen which can cause you stress. However, it is important to know exactly what will happen if something goes wrong or you encounter a problem with your project.

Many people underestimate what is involved with building a home and don’t realize how much work it takes. By seeking independent expert advice at the beginning of your home-building journey you can avoid stress later on.

YOU don't need to be stressed - we are here to help make this smooth and rewarding experience.
Contact us for a free discovery meeting today!

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