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How to Choose a Builder in Western Sydney: 13 Questions to Ask

April 15, 2021 5 min read By 13 Homes Editorial

Choosing the right builder is the biggest decision in your build. Here are the 13 questions every Western Sydney owner should ask before signing.

The 13 questions

  1. What is your NSW builder licence number? Can I verify it on Service NSW?
  2. How long have you been building in Western Sydney?
  3. Can I see your inclusions list in writing?
  4. Can you provide a project-specific HOW insurance certificate?
  5. Can you provide three references from recent local builds?
  6. Can I visit a current job site?
  7. What is your variation administration fee?
  8. Do you have qualified engineers on staff?
  9. What is your typical contract sum vs final delivered cost?
  10. What is your average build timeline vs contract timeline?
  11. What is your defects rate at handover?
  12. What is your 90-day maintenance process?
  13. What happens if there’s a dispute?

What good answers sound like

Specific dollar figures. Named engineers and supervisors. Recent client names provided immediately. Inclusions list emailed within 24 hours. Site visit arranged within a week.

What red flags sound like

“We will work that out later.” “I don’t have references handy.” “Our inclusions are flexible.” “We don’t show our current sites.” Walk away.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Answers

Can I see your inclusions list in writing and visit a recent build site? If a builder cannot show these immediately, walk away.
Yes. Verify on Service NSW. Builder must hold a current full Building Class 1 licence.
Yes. Phone 3 recent clients. Ask: build complete on time, variations cost, communication quality, defects rectification, would they use again.
Home Owners Warranty insurance. Required for NSW residential builds over $20,000. Project-specific certificate must be provided before any deposit is paid.
Increasingly important. Engineering on staff signals investment in quality. For custom builds especially.

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