Find The Right Home or Extension Builder

Finding the right builder is essential to the success of your project.

Interview several builders from recommended sources. Ask an architect for recommendations. Ask an Estate Agent. Request several recommendations. Also consult friends and neighbours. 

Review your completed plans with each builder, or ask the builders about designing plans for you as part of a Design and Build project.

Make sure that all the builders see the building site and are quoting to build the house on that site, including excavation and any other site-specific costs.

Get price quotes from the builders and compare them, making sure that they each bid on the same items.

Ask for references particularly previous customers from each party. Check the references. Be sure to speak with them when the builder is not present. Look at some of the houses the builder has constructed.

Retain a Solicitor with experience in construction cases to draft or review the contract. Be sure that the payment schedule for the builder is clear and understandable. Purchase a standard Building Contract if you are engaging a Contract Administrator.

Make sure that the contract specifies the start and completion dates. Insist on some type of late fee or liquidated damages if the completion is delayed past a certain grace period (notwithstanding circumstances beyond the builder's control, such as inclement weather). 

Execute the approved contract.

Make any required deposit payment, and be sure to write your cheques as per the schedule (not earlier and not later).