Do you need more storage space in your house? Do you have a relative or a new baby who’s living with you soon? These are just some of the reasons why you need to add an extension to your home.
But aside from your needs, there are other benefits of having home extensions. They can add value to your property, let you have upgrades, and maximise your outdoor space. It seems easy to decide, but you should be prepared before you get started.
Importance of hiring home extension builders:
There are many essential factors when having home extensions, and one of them is hiring the best builders near you. Experienced builders can help transform a simple home into a great one. However, it might take some time before you find a team you can trust.
So before you hire home extension builders, you must do your research, ask for recommendations from people you know, and conduct a thorough interview. When conducting the interview there are some basic yet important questions you should ask to find out if they fit the job.
If you want to know these helpful questions, don’t forget to check the list below!
1. Have you done similar home extension projects?
Generally, builders know how to build houses. However, not all builders know how to create home extensions. It depends on the project, but some existing homes can be harder to extend compared to building a house from scratch.
So while conducting your research, take some time identifying the specialisation of the builders you’re planning to hire. Meanwhile, if they didn’t indicate any on their website, try asking them during the interview. Aside from that, make sure they’ve done the kind of home extension similar to what you want.
Furthermore, you may request pictures of their past clients that have the same case as yours. And once you confirm they can do it, you can proceed with further questions.
2. Are you certified, and do you have insurance?
Asking the builders if they’re certified and insured is a great way to know if they’re legit. However, you can also double-cheque it just in case you’re having doubts about their answer.
Hiring certified builders give homeowners peace of mind. In addition, it’s easier to trust them if they have certification or any proof that they’re professionals. Checking if the builders are certified informs you that they know the regulations of home building and home extensions.
On the other hand, don’t forget to find out if they’re also insured. Sure, it’s nice that they’re registered builders, but having insurance is another necessary.
3. How do you update your clients?
Do they have a way to stay in touch? Do you need to go to their office often just to check some updates?
Nowadays, being able to communicate remotely is a must. Moreover, you probably have other things to do like work or errands so it’ll be impossible to visit the site most of the time even if you’re not planning to move. If the builders don’t have an email address, phone number, and other contact details, it must be a scam.
Besides, what if there’s an emergency at the site? How are they going to tell you what’s happening if there don’t have a phone?
4. Do you use high-quality materials?
One of the things that can make you say yes to the builders is when they use high-quality and durable materials. It doesn’t always mean that durable materials are expensive. Besides, if you use cheap and weak materials, there’s a possibility of spending more because you might need to replace them soon.
On the other hand, if the builders use high-quality materials, it may take years before some parts of the house start to deteriorate.
So before you consider hiring builders, ask for the list of their brand partners. That way, you can check the quality of their materials.
5. How long will it take to finish the project?
Are you looking forward to having a finished home extension before the summer ends? Although it depends on the size of the project, the productivity of the builders also depends on it. However, don’t be fooled by builders who don’t give a realistic timeline. Either they’re just trying to get hired, or the quality of their work is unreliable.
Well-experienced builders can give you a feasible timeline. Aside from that, they also know if your requests are possible or not. Even if you’re not an expert, they can give you explanations you can understand just so you can meet halfway.
6. How much will it cost?
One of the most important factors in having home extensions is the cost or budget. Of course, if money is not the problem, then good for you. However, whether you have a tight budget or not, it’s best to keep track of the expenses.
Meanwhile, if you prepared a budget, you must be aware of the cost even if it’s just an estimate. Usually, asking for a quotation is free so you can compare different pricing of the builders.
Conducting interviews for your prospective builders is not easy. However, once you find them, it can be a smooth transaction as possible. Let us know your thought about these questions by leaving a comment below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Aliana Baraquio currently writes for Cubbit’s Granny Flats Australia, a family-owned-and-operated business that delivers Granny Flats and Home Extensions for customers for over 25 years across NSW and ACT. She also loves interior designing and home makeovers.
