Archive for House building company

How to Choose a Building Contractor

How to Choose a Building Contractor

Your home is probably the largest financial outlay you will make during your life. If you are thinking of a home building or renovation project make sure you hire builders who you can trust and you know to be reliable. There are many building firms out there competing for your business, many of which claim they are the best to do your job and that you can rely on them. Alas, not all building contractors can be relied upon so picking a poor builder might cost you too much money, wasted time plus heaps of distress. The information below can help you find a good house builder.

New house in Auckland

New house in Auckland – image Bill Longshaw

Ask for references. Any reputable general contractor will be able to provide you with some references of other happy clients. Call these references to get the inside scoop on the general contractor in question. In addition to finding out how well the job was completed, you should also make an effort to learn as much as you can about the contractor’s timeliness (was the project completed as scheduled?), reliability (did the contractor and construction team show up to work as planned?), resourcefulness (were a variety of building materials and price point options provided?), and communication (was the contractor easy to talk to and open to suggestions?).

Online research. You can find a lot of very valuable information about most general contractors with just a simple online search. Sites like Yelp and Google Places allow customers to post their reviews of businesses, and there is perhaps no better indicator of a builder’s quality than word of mouth.

Licensing and insurance. Any contractor you choose to do business with should be licensed to work in your area, and insured for at least the amount of the value of your project. Don’t be afraid to ask the general contractor directly for proof of both. In some cases, this may be your only protection in the case that the worst does happen and you must seek compensation for shoddy or unfinished work.

  1. It is important that you interview a number of general contractors before settling on the one for the job. Prepare a list of questions to ask and then sit face to face with each contractor to discuss your project and your questions. Following a consultation, a building contractor should be able to provide you with a job estimate. You can compare estimates, as well as the information you get during interviews, to choose the right general contractor for your project.

Most people who want house renovations or a builder to construct a brand new home rely upon what the builder says about themselves. This is risky for any homeowner so to reduce those risks and increase your chances of a happy house renovation project or building a new home, contact a builder who has very public references and testimonials.

Auckland builder for House Renovations

Key Points to Consider During House Renovation

 

House renovation projects can be quite challenging especially if you want to do it all yourself. However, home improvement entails a number of projects which should be done professionally if the desired results are to be achieved. These projects may range from the flooring, fixtures in the kitchen or bathroom, lighting and roofing among others and it is paramount to ensure that quality is enhanced in all stages of the renovation. The basic steps below will go a long way in making your project a success and pocket friendly experience.

 

Create some room:

It is always advisable to begin your house renovation projects by removing unnecessary items or old stuff that may be lingering around. By doing this, you will be able to have an enhanced vision of what exactly needs to be restored and where as well. Either way, you still will have to create room before the inception of the project, so why not start immediately? There are numerous ways of achieving this such as garage sales for instance which will also come in handy financially speaking.

 

Create a budget and task list:

One of the best ways of creating a budget and comprehensive plan is through making a list of what will need to be renovated in your home. The list should also include the most basic of items both interior and exterior so as to determine the returns your investment (ROI) will yield over a while. ROI is always of paramount importance especially to the home owners planning to sell in the near future.

 

Too often people undertake major renovations with a view to on-selling when the project is completed but do not do the maths to see if they will be able to recover their costs. In fact, people frequently over-capitalise their property. In their min a new kitchen and the extra bedroom will make the home much more desirable and go all out to make the house extension as good as possible only to discover that the extra rooms do not match the market price in their area. Not all suburbs are priced for four bedroom houses.

Consider the pain points:

Every home owner’s desire is to create a stress free environment which is conducive for every member of the family. This can be achieved by identifying the pain points around your home and working on them immediately. Pain points are to bluntly put, those areas or aspects in your home that you just can’t stand. The pain points may range from the colour of paint in your kid’s bedroom or the lack of enough space in your bathroom or kitchen. Regardless of the ROI, doing this will significantly enhance the comfort of each member of your family besides reducing stress around the home which is paramount.

 

Consider the time and tasks:

It is always essential to consider the amount of time and effort each project will take. This will help you determine which projects you can DIY and those that will require professional aid. Considering the amount of time each project will consume will also help you plan ahead especially if you will need to relocate your family for a while for those major home renovation projects.

 

All that being said, home renovation need not be a daunting and expensive affair. By following the above steps, you are guaranteed to get the most out of your projects as well as creating a conducive environment which is delightful for every family member.

 

The above are relatively easy renovation projects that most DIY handy-men can do for themselves. However, for those who have major home renovation projects, it would be advisable to get professional help.

 

House renovation builder

House renovation builder – image marin

Replacing a few cupboards is one thing. Knocking down and building walls, especially load-bearing and external walls, is a completely different kettle of fish. This is even more of an issue if you are currently living n the house. The disruption can take weeks and often extend into months if it is done part-time. Then you have to consider plumbing and electrical wiring. These days, insurance companies can be very difficult if new wiring does not have professional sign-off.

 

A final thought is the quality of the finish of the various jobs. A professional house renovations company will have experts with years of experience in electrical work, plumbing, building, kitchen installation, and decorating. If you are thinking of doing the job yourself, you are effectively trying to be all of these experts with very little experience. To be fair to yourself, your family and to make your house easier to sell, hire a house renovations company.

 

If you are in Auckland, these guys www.repairandrestore.co.nz/ are some of the best renovations specialists.