Hiring a builder is a lot like buying a car; you likely wouldn’t just drive one off the lot without knowing as much as you can about it first.
A high-quality builder for your home renovation is essential because renovations are complex. Many homeowners consider them less complex than new builds, and while that is true in some senses, there are many intricacies to getting an extensive renovation on an existing property correct. To nail it, you want the right builder by your side.
But with so many to choose from, how are you supposed to know if you’re hiring a builder who will buckle up and get the job done, or if you’re hiring a builder that looks great… but breaks down under pressure or can’t get started in the morning?
We’re here to help you avoid the lemons and cowboys so that you can find your one perfect match ahead of your home renovation. Let’s get started.
Here’s the thing: big companies are excellent, but they can often operate like broadly-managed franchises instead of a tight-knit team of renovators. If you’re taking on a residential renovation, you want a company with extensive experience in that exact style of project.
Case in point: a specifically commercial new-build team won’t have the same ability to solve problems, navigate paperwork, or anticipate tripping points in a residential renovation. But a team that spends its days giving homes new life will know these vital pieces of knowledge like the backs of its hands.
Some companies have sub-specialities, such as heritage renovation work, which are extra useful if you’re tackling a heritage property in New Zealand.
Hiring a builder with a strong portfolio of properties that look like your ideal final result? That’s a great way to make sure your home renovation turns out perfectly. As they say, “the proof is in the pudding”, and in this case, that pudding lies in a gallery or portfolio of past work from your prospective builders.
But that’s not the only place to look. The final results matter a lot, but the journey to reach them matters too. Look for social proof when hiring a builder for your renovation. Seek recommendations from your friends and family, and look into reputable networks like Archipro, which vet Master Builders and provide detailed reviews of their work. Pay attention to industry awards.
Social reviews in particular are very helpful because they allow you to get a sense of what a particular team is like to work with, not just what kind of results they can produce. Communication, expertise, speed, and tactical advice all emerge from things like testimonials, reviews, and word-of-mouth recommendations.
When in doubt, speak to other industry professionals you might be working with. Local architects or interior designers that you’re bringing on board for your project will have some industry connections or recommendations based on past contractors they’ve worked with. For high-end home renovations in particular, this is a very useful go-to tactic.
This might be an odd tactic, but it’s one that will net you the most trustworthy team when hiring a builder for your residential renovation in Auckland. If you’re at the stage of your project where you’re seeking quotes, reach out to your primary candidate and go through their quotation process. This alone can tell you a lot about how that team operates and what you can expect from them.
As you go, make notes and ask questions. Not just about what they recommend to you, but also about:
Taking the time to understand your potential candidates in this way will help you hire a builder you can trust to get the job done every time.
The last (and most important) tip we can offer when hiring a builder is simple: find a team that really wants the job. Any builder that wants to do the work you have lined up will do everything they can to make sure it gets done on time, on budget, and on spec. If someone really enjoys the work they’re doing, they’re 100% more likely to show up and kill it.
But how can you know if this is the case? Be open in your communication and chat with your renovators to gauge their enthusiasm for the work and your specific ideas. Sometimes, this is what makes the ultimate difference.
So, look for specific expertise, seek out past successes, use the quotation process, and find someone who will really love the work! Once you’ve done that, you’re almost guaranteed to be hiring a builder worth your time and money.
With 75+ years of collective experience and over 300 completed projects, we’re proud to be the right builder for your Auckland renovation.
Get a team that goes above and beyond the bare minimum. Talk to QBS Construction today.
