Unless you consider yourself an expert in renovations and building, you may find it daunting to even consider the array of builders and tradies – let alone choose one to entrust with the job of building your new home!

Following our top tips for choosing a home builder will help you at least part of the way along the journey – informing you so that you’re able to ask the right questions and helping you avoid the potential pitfalls of contractor builder services, such as hiring a dodgy builder or choosing a professional without the right qualifications.Before making the final decision on which house builder you’ll choose:

Decide how much finance you have available for the building project – this applies whether you are building an entire house, renovating a room or adding an extension – and stick to your budgeted amount. You should also allow for 15-20% extra within this amount, to allow for unexpected plan changes or additional time required. As well as a builder, you may need to factor in working with a draftsperson, designer or architect, as detailed plans will be needed by any builder you employ.

A professional house builder should be a registered member of the Building Practitioners’ Board, so this is one of the first things to establish when talking to a potential builder for your project. Their registration may allow work to be carried out on any kind of building project, or the builder may be limited in the type of work he is qualified to do. Call the BPB on 1300 36 03 20 for more information.

More than one quote for any building project is a good idea. In fact, when it comes to contractor builder services it’s essential to make sure you’re getting value for money – and getting a good quality service. If a quote seems overpriced, ask for a breakdown of costs; similarly, if a quote seems too good to be true, ask for a breakdown of costs: are some costs not detailed, are they cutting corners, are they using poor quality materials? Remember, quotes simply provide a guide to help you find a builder who can provide the services you need – they are not a price guarantee or a contractual agreement.

Don’t feel bad asking for references from potential house builders; if they’ve got a good track record, they’ll have plenty of happy customers. Make sure any references are of recent work that is similar in scope to your own project, and be sure to ask if work ethic, project management and workmanship were of an expected standard. It’s also important to get along well with your tradie and be able to communicate well, so take some time to talk and get to know your potential builder.

Read your contract well, before you sign. You’ll need to sign a contract for any work valued at $5,000 or more. The contract should include: Cost of plans (if not supplied by you); Cost of building services and structures; Cost of materials; Cost of products and/or appliances.

Check that your chosen home builder has this before signing a contract, but remember that work of a poor quality or work that is not completed according to your agreement is not covered by this insurance – project completion is the builder’s responsibility. If any problems arise during the building process, address them directly with your builder. There are many quality professional builders offering contractor builder services in Australia. Talk to people you know, follow the guidelines above and check the specific legal requirements for building projects in your state or territory. And finally – happy home building!