You’ve heard the warnings: “Don’t build a house – it’s super stressful!” And too often, it is stressful. That’s why online forums are full of complaints like:
- Went way over budget
- Took months longer than promised
- Full of defects they refuse to fix
- Builder doesn’t return calls or emails
- Too stressful — never again!
But it doesn’t need to be stressful. This article reveals our best tips to help you have a stress-free, enjoyable building experience and get the exact home you want.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions: How To Have Fun Designing Your Dream Home
From floorplan to finishes, tiles to taps, and lighting and colour schemes, there’s no getting away from the decisions you’ll have to make when building a new home. But it doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. On the contrary, with the right guidance, it can be a lot of fun.
A good builder won’t overwhelm you with too many decisions at once. They will split decisions into categories and schedule them throughout the build. Then they will provide step-by-step guidance, so you have the information you need to make decisions with clarity and confidence (never pressure or stress).
If you ever feel stressed about a decision, be sure to tell your builder. They may be able to show you previous homes they’ve built so you can see a real-life version of the item in question. Or they can arrange 3D renderings or even a Lifesize Plan so you can visualise every aspect of your design (including how the furniture will fit).
Builder Says No: How To Get The Home You Want, Not The House Your Builder Says You Have To Settle For
Sadly, too many people dream of including special features in their new home including:
- Storage drawers under the stairs for shoes or school memorabilia
- Recessed cabinets outside the bathrooms for cleaning supplies
- Higher ceilings in the living areas for a spacious feel
- Wall-to-wall windows for seamless views
- Sophisticated lighting in the bathroom for a little hotel luxury
… only to be disappointed because their builder says, “Can’t be done.”
However this is YOUR home. And you shouldn’t feel stressed or pressured to compromise.
A good builder will take time to understand the vision you have for your home. They will ask insightful questions to help you clarify and refine your ideas. And they will offer suggestions to help you get the exact outcome YOU want.
Design sessions should be enjoyable because they put your ideas on paper and take you a step closer to bringing your dream home to life.
How To Communicate With Your Builder So You Always Know What’s Happening
Initially, builders are often very responsive, but it’s important that this level of engagement continues even after the contract is signed as the uncertainty of not knowing the status of your home build can be stressful.
It is crucial for builders to maintain regular contact, addressing any of your questions or concerns promptly. This is especially important if the person you initially communicated with—be it a salesperson or a project manager—shifts their focus to other projects.
A good builder balances their skills on the job with effective administration to keep you well-informed throughout the process.
When you choose a small, local builder, you should have direct access to the owner so you can ask questions any time. If they can’t take your call straight away, they should get back to you within 24 hours so you’re never left waiting and wondering.
An organised builder will give you access to their Project Management portal so you can see everything that is happening with your build including orders and deliveries, trade scheduling, and all team communications.
And finally, a good builder will give you frequent updates (including progress photos). And invite you onsite regularly to inspect progress in person. This open, transparent communication keeps you fully informed, so you never stress about what’s happening.
Money, Money, Money: How To Get A Fixed, Fair Price With No Stressful Surprises
There’s nothing worse than budgeting a certain amount for your home, only to be hit with tens of thousands in unexpected cost increases that put you under financial stress.
Sometimes variations are unavoidable (like when you discover hidden rock or asbestos on your site). But extra costs are mostly caused by poor planning (from your builder), or deceptive practices like de-specking your contract and hiding exclusions in the fine print. Too many homeowners are lured in by low prices without realising the ‘allowances’ in their contract are nowhere near enough to cover the true costs of their home.
A good builder will provide you with a fair, fixed price (and stick to it). They will also explain the areas where allowances and variations are out of your control (including site preparation) and take precautions (like a thorough site assessment) to minimise these risks.
A good builder will help you get more house for your money by explaining alternative ways (including different building methods and materials) you can get the outcome you want.
And then will have a network of suppliers who offer preferential pricing, so you get maximum value for your money.
Time Is Money: How To Make Sure Your Home Is Finished On Time
A home that takes longer to build than promised doesn’t just leave the homeowner disappointed. It can cost thousands in extra rent and mortgage repayments, and cause stress as you suffer in limbo waiting for your home to be finished.
A good builder has a proven process to deliver your home on time. They will use a Project Management Program to schedule every step including approvals, orders, deliveries, equipment, trades, and inspections. And they will be directly involved in monitoring each step to ensure your home is always on track to be finished on time.
More Than A Transaction: How To Find A Builder Who Cares About Your Home As If It Was Their Own
A good builder isn’t merely motivated by money. They take pride in their craft:
- The extra care taken to ensure every aspect of your home reflects your personality and enhances your lifestyle.
- The small details (both visible and in the framework) that make your home last longer.
- And the extra care taken to ensure your home is finished flawlessly (with no gaps, no crooked lines, and no uneven surfaces), so it looks better.
They are efficient, but never rushed – taking those extra few minutes on each task to deliver a superior result.
They have time for you too – getting to know you, and sharing conversations so you can all enjoy the process (without stress, awkwardness, or conflict).
And they work as a team – professional yet friendly (and even a little fun).
Everything they do leads to the ultimate goal: Standing with you outside your home and admiring what you have created together. Proud of their work, and confident it will facilitate a lifetime of memories for you and your family.
Free Guide to Help You Have An Enjoyable Building Experience
While it’s true that many homeowners have a stressful time building their home, you don’t have to suffer the same.
The key is to get informed before making a final decision. That’s why I’d like to invite you to download our practical guide to building your custom dream home in Victoria.
