Have you been getting quotes and narrowing down your options, but are still unsure how to pick the right builder? For the duration of your project, you’ll be trusting your home and renovations to the builder you choose. This is not a light decision and must be thoroughly considered.

How do you know if you’re choosing the right builder? You need to feel confident and secure in your decision when choosing a builder. You want to feel like you’re in safe hands with an experienced professional. But how do you know which builders are professional and what questions can you ask to find out?

Interviewing your builder

A key way to feel confident when meeting with your builder is to have a strategy. This means all the builders you’re meeting with will be held to the same standard and helps ease your mind knowing that you’re not falling for any salesman tricks. A few questions to ask before you sign on the dotted line are:

1.     What work do you specialise in?

A builder that has experience or specialises in the project you’re getting done will take pride in making sure the project is completed to perfection. In contrast, if the proposed builder specialises in decks and pergolas, but you’re looking to remodel your bathroom, you might not be happy with the result.

2.     Who is on your team and who will be doing the work on-site?

Hiring a builder who has an in-house team supporting them is valuable. If your builder only uses subcontractors, it could be a red flag. Subcontractors are not bad, but having a team that always works together is much more reliable.

3.     How many projects do you have running?

Knowing how many projects the builder is currently undertaking tells you how much time they’ll be able to devote to your project. If you need your project completed quickly, you may want to choose a builder who has less projects on the go. Alternatively, if the proposed builder has been in business for 10 years and only has 2 projects, this may also be a red flag.

4.     How will you be communicating with me and how often?

Communication is the cornerstone of every relationship. This isn’t different when it comes to builder-homeowner relationships. If your builder doesn’t have a solid plan and project management system to keep you in the loop, you may feel neglected or like your job is slipping through the cracks.

5.     How do you approach variations, ect?

Do you want the freedom to change, add, or subtract home selections throughout the building process? You don’t want to get stuck with builder induced variations or markups. Whatever the change, you need assurance that your builder’s variation process is painless and documented.

Introduction to managing stormwater

Stormwater is rainwater that hasn’t been absorbed into the ground. This water can be quite destructive as it runs off roofs, gardens, and other surfaces. Stormwater runoff is a system in which this water is managed by drains and pipes to channel the water from your house and street to natural waterways, such as oceans and rivers.

Stormwater is a fact of life for all homeowners. It can be destructive and wasteful if not managed properly. As we approach the wet season in Adelaide, we’d like to share some helpful strategies to manage stormwater efficiently and effectively.

Managing stormwater as a homeowner

The main purpose of managing stormwater is to reduce the amount of destruction the rainwater causes as it flows to the drains. In a well-managed system, the homeowner will use as much of the stormwater as possible and guide excess water into drains. 

Stormwater can also be captured and the water reused. Below are a few ways to efficiently manage stormwater for maximum use on your property.

-       Rainwater collection: this involves collecting water from your roof and storing it in a rainwater tank where it can be used as needed. A good option to consider is to connect your rainwater tank to your washing machine, toilet, and other appliances to reduce water costs and waste.

-       Underground water storage: these storage systems filter water that runs into them and can vary in size. The collected water is mainly used for irrigation above or below the surface.

-       Stormwater detention tanks: these tanks are specifically designed to have split storage inside. One compartment detains the stormwater whilst the other stores rainwater.

-       Infiltration system: these advanced systems are designed to temporarily collect, filter, and store stormwater and gradually release it into the ground. This replenishes the water table at a sustainable and natural rate.

The first step to efficiently managing stormwater is having a specific goal in mind. This can be to simply manage stormwater without damage to your home, collect rainwater for irrigation use, or reduce water costs. Once you have a goal, you can then start taking steps to set up a stormwater management system that benefits you.

Planning a new build, renovation or extension

Stormwater is an important consideration when you are looking to build. Check in with your local builder for advice specific to your area. Council requirements often vary and it is a good idea to have all bases covered to make sure that your property is well equipped to handle the wetter seasons.

When considering a renovation or extension, the existing infrastructure will need to be taken into consideration. Old systems can struggle to cope with additional flow from an extension which significantly increases the amount of stormwater that needs to be managed. If a bathroom or bathroom renovation is involved, the existing waste system will also need to be inspected. Your builder should also be able to advise if any waste/stormwater system upgrades will be required in order to ensure that your home is adherent to the current codes and standards.

Are you worried about staying within your budget for your 2022 home renovation? Do you have an idea you’d like to get started, but are worried about whether you can afford what you want? Getting a draftsperson involved and drawing up designs is the first step… or is it? All too often, a draftsperson will focus on creating a beautiful home with a unique design. While this sounds attractive, these plans often go unused if the budget wasn’t considered.

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of planning your dream home. Renovations and additions that will help improve your quality of life are hard to be patient on. However, if you rush the process and go straight to a draftsperson without consulting a builder, your dreams might come crashing down when you use the plans to get quotes from builders. Here are a few tips that will help you stay within budget:

Find a builder first

Before you meet with a draftsperson, find a trusted builder. An experienced builder has a lot of knowledge of what your project may cost based on past building projects. While you won’t be able to get a quote without the plans drawn, talking to a builder can help you make an informed decision on whether to proceed with drawings or postpone the project until you have a bigger budget.

Understand different professions have different goals

We recommend ensuring that a builder is involved in the process of getting your plans drawn. A draftsperson’s goal is to create unique and stand-out designs which can mean they don’t consider the reality of building their plans. Did you know, around 70% of Architectural home designs never proceed to the construction process. This is because a draftsperson’s job is over after they’ve drawn plans. A draftsperson gets paid whether the construction happens or not. A builder, however, focuses on making your house into a home and seeing what’s on paper come to life. Having a builder involved with the drafting process means they consider the whole job, from start to finish.

Don’t be shy about your budget

If you have a strict budget you want to stick to, make sure you tell your builder. Most people think if they disclose their budget right away, the builder will charge their budget, even if the project is estimated cheaper. If you think your builder would do this, it’s time to find a new builder. You need to be able to trust your builder.

Keeping your budget hidden from your builder can lead to the project staying a dream. In the initial planning stages, your builder can help find ways to keep your plans in reach by suggesting cost-cutting alternatives. If you don’t want to use the alternatives and the project is going over budget, your builder will be able to more help you decide if you should wait on certain parts of your project. If your builder doesn’t know your budget, they won’t know to suggest these options.