If you’re planning a home makeover, then let me tell you that you’re not alone. In fact, home renovations are in great demand in Australia right now.

But before you get too excited removing the walls to give space to that dream kitchen of yours, there is one crucial step – hire a reputable builder!

Getting a home renovation is a huge undertaking, so I want to guide you into the process of choosing the best builder for the job.

I clearly remember when my sister remodelled her Fremantle home. She hurried and neglected to spend the necessary time doing her investigation. Regretfully, her situation did not turn out nicely.

Besides dealing with delays, she has to spend more than the agreed budget. It gave her so much stress.

So, in order for this not to happen to you, I want to share some tips on how to find the perfect renovation builder who is fully committed into helping you achieve your dream home.

1. Research first; but don’t stop there.

A great start would be to do an online search of the builder you plan on hiring.

Here’s how you should do it:

• Turn to Google – type in “home renovation builders Perth”, and once the results come up, create a list. However, do not just list down their names. You need to get to know each one of them to know who stands out.
• Refer to online directories – take advantage of websites like ServiceSeeking and HiPages. They are some of the best places to find professional builders in your area.
• Stalk social media – refer to the Facebook or Instagram pages of the builders to get to know them even more and view some of their recent projects.

Remember, just because they have a well-built website doesn’t mean they are really good at what they do. I have situations before where I hired some landscapers because I was impressed with what’s on their website. Unfortunately, they did not live up to my expectations. So, don’t just rely solely on what you saw online.

2. Ask Around: Nothing Beats a Personal Recommendation

When it comes to hiring people you can trust, word of mouth is still the best route.

Take a walk down your neighbourhood and take notice of those who had done some transformations in their homes. See if you can talk to the homeowners and if they would be happy to recommend their builders.

Check with your family, friends, colleagues, or anyone in your circle who may have had their houses renovated recently.

You can also refer to social network for community groups, such as in Facebook. There may be some groups there that feature local builders in your area.

Visit your local cafe. In my case, I found a reputable tiler through a woman I chatted with at a Leederville café. She overheard me discussing about my plans to give my bathroom a makeover and was so eager to recommend the guy who has tackled her ensuite.

3. Review Those Credentials – Paperwork Counts

Do not be in such a hurry to hire someone. Ensure the person has the right paperwork. Keep in mind that all builders in Western Australia must be insured and properly registered.

Here are some of the things you must check:

• Registration – are they registered with the Building Services Board of WA? To verify, check the website of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
• Insurance – make sure they provide proof of insurance, which is a requirement for projects over $20,000.
• Qualifications – Is the builder qualified in building and construction?

Anyone handy with a hammer can easily claim they are a builder, but that does not mean they are capable to tackle renovation projects.

Dave, a friend of mine, has learned this the hard way. He thought that the neighbour who claims to be “jack of all trades” is well-equipped to carry out a hone extension. But the guy does not even have a license, and the council has to slap Dave with a stop-work order.

4. Request a Portfolio

A picture is absolutely worth a thousand words. Therefore, you should ask for proof of the builder’s past efforts since these will reveal a great deal about their capacity.

Seek for a portfolio. A professional builder should be pleased to display their past work.

Examine their work closely and search for variation. Can they manage several styles and different projects? Make sure they also have samples of work from the past year or two as building trends change quickly.

You should also check for projects comparable to yours. That will help you to find out whether they have knowledge of properties like yours.

But don’t just rely on images! Try to visit some of their completed works if at all possible.

When choosing a builder for my Cottesloe apartment makeover, I did this, and it really changed things. Speaking with homeowners and seeing the work in person gave me confidence for my choice.

5. Get Many Quotations but Don’t Just Go for the Cheapest

It can be expensive to get a home makeover, which is why many homeowners make the common mistake of choosing the lowest bid. But remember that you will get exactly what you are paying for. Don’t be surprised to receive a cheap result for a project that’s very affordable.

Here are some tips:

• Get quotations from at least three builders. That way, you’ll have a broader range for comparison.
• Submit detailed briefs to each builder to get the most accurate quotations.
• Ask them for an itemised breakdown, so you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for.
• If you notice the quote is significantly cheaper, find out the reason why. Some builders tend to cut corners or opt for sub-standard materials.

A previous client of mine had opted to hire someone whose quotation was $20,000 lower than what was being quoted by others. But as it turns out, the builder left out some of the most essential structural works. As a result, he ended up spending more to get it fixed!

6. Make sure you can effectively interact with the builder.

 I could not stress enough how important proper communication is with your builder. Remember, you’ll be working together for weeks and even months! Therefore, choose someone who you knew you can get along with.

When it comes to this, make sure the builder is:

• Responsive at all times and would promptly respond to emails or return your call.
• Listens well, especially if you have any concerns and suggestions.
• Can clearly explain even the most complicated concepts.
• Patient enough to explain everything you need to know and not get irritated with your questions.

Choose someone you are comfortable communicating with. I remember someone who hired a builder simply because he has the cheapest rate but ignored the fact that they struggle to understand each other.

It only led to confusions and conflicts, and worse, the result is not exactly what he wanted.

7. Though timing is crucial, it pays to be realistic.

 Most homeowners are so eager to see the final results. But keep in mind that exceptional work can take time.

When it comes to setting the timeline, here are things to keep in mind:

• Ask for a detailed schedule of the project.
• Give some buffer time since unexpected things can happen, which could delay the project.
• Find out what the builder’s current workload is.
• Think of the weather conditions, especially in Perth, which can be unpredictable and can affect outdoor work.

Be careful with builders who love to make unrealistic promises. Some homeowners would be happy to hear if the builder promises short timeframes.

For instance, they would be promised a two-week renovation for a kitchen.

But this is not possible at all since jobs like this could take up to six weeks! If it’s rushed, you may have to deal with quality issues later on.

8. Gather References

A reputable worker would not mind giving references of past clients who can vouch for them.

So, consider asking references before you close the deal.

• Make sure to ask for at least references from clients they have recently work with.
• If possible, call the references to find out for yourself.
• When talking to past clients, ask questions like budget adherence, timeliness, and how the builder addresses problems. Of course, find out if they are satisfied,
• Remember – a lukewarm reference is a red flag!

I always ask clients to check with previous customers. One client of mine find out through a reference call that the builder they plan to hire is good at solving problems, which is crucial for dealing with unexpected issues.

9. Always Trust your Instincts

As with everything, always listen to your intuitions. Of course, you should not base your decision solely on gut feeling, but you must not ignore it.

• Pay close attention to how the builder behaves during your interactions. Is he respectful?
• Never ignore red flags. Watch out for things like giving vague answers, being pushy, and is not willing to provide some information.
• Do not be impulsive with making a decision. You may have to sleep on it first.
• Gather concrete evidence and weight your gut feelings.

I know some people who just have bad feelings about a builder on the first meeting, even though everything seemed great. They trusted their instincts and it paid off. Remember, getting a renovation is a costly endeavour. So, if you’re doubtful, then better choose someone else.

10. Get Everything in Writing

Finally, you have found the perfect builder. But before you go further, you’ve got to make it official in writing. There should be a contract, which serves as your protection.

A contract should have:

• The work scope describing the specific tasks to be accomplished.
• Cost breakdown covering labour charges, materials, etc.
• Payment schedule indicating when and how payments are to be made.
• Timeline comprising the start date, completion date, and other significant project milestones.
• Change order procedure outlining how modifications to the original design are handled.
• Warranty and guarantee details.
• Dispute resolution procedure.

It’s a good idea to ask a lawyer to walk you through the contract, especially if you’re planning major renovations. Doing so can save you from headaches in the future.

11. Get Ready for the Journey

Remember that hiring a builder is just the first step. It’s still a long way to go.

Here are tips to help you prepare:

• Establish a communication plan. Find out how often should you meet for a discussion and how you can best contact each other.
• Discuss the decision-making process. Who should have the final say? And if there are disagreements, how are you going to address this?
• Expect disruptions. Renovations can mess up your place and can be noisy, too.
• Document the progress and any issues that might arise on a journal.
• Be flexible. Remember, nothing is perfect, so you can’t expect the project to go 100% according to plan.

As I mentioned a while ago, my sister Sarah has to deal with a disastrous renovation. But that really taught her a lesson.

When she decided to give her modern home in City Beach a makeover, she took her time in finding the ideal person to hire. She followed the tips above, which resulted in a smooth process. But the best part? Her home is exactly how she envisioned it to be!

Wrapping It Up

Choosing the correct Perth home remodel builder should be easy. Just follow a few basic steps: conduct your homework, check credentials, analyse past projects, compare detailed quotations, properly communicate, set reasonable deadlines, check references, trust your gut, and get everything in writing.

Also, keep in mind that the most elegant website or the lowest bidder does not necessarily indicate the best option. Spend some time, probe lots of questions, and make sure your choice makes sense to you.

And after you have found the correct builder, enjoy the journey! There will be noise and dust, and there will be some difficulties along the way, but you are building your dream house, so these are all worth it!

So, are you prepared to begin your renovating adventure? Follow these tips to find someone who can help transform your ideas into reality.