Our top 3 tips to help you select the right builder

There is no denying that looking at building a new home is an incredibly exciting time! With so many builders, homes, floor plans, offers, promotions, pricing structures and inclusions available, we’ve come up with a few tips and tricks to help you when researching builders from the get-go. 

1. Become familiar with base prices and standard inclusions

When you’re looking to buy a new home, one of the first things you’ll see on a builder’s website is their base prices. So, what exactly is a base price? A base price is a flat rate price that includes a list of standard home features (often referred to as standard inclusions) the builder provides.

A home’s base price is simply its starting price, and there can be site-specific requirements needed to construct your home, which may need to be budgeted for. When speaking with New Home Consultants, a great question to ask is, “Are there any provisional sums, surcharges or varying base prices to build on my land?” With some builders, a monthly surcharge is payable if you are waiting for your land to be titled, so if your settlement isn’t scheduled for another year, you will need to factor in this cost.

Base prices and standard inclusions vary from builder to builder. You may discover that some builders offer temptingly-low base prices, which seem appealing; however, minimum inclusions may be provided, with lots of additional items needed to make your house a home. Some builders don’t even include flooring!

Display homes often showcase an array of optional upgrades, so we always recommend asking New Home Consultants about the ‘standard’ and ‘as displayed’ specifications and pricing. Take time to do your research, as you must be 100% clear on what’s included in your build and what isn’t, as this will assist you in making informed decisions about your build.

• Hot tip #1: If the list of standard inclusions or display upgrading pricing is vague or difficult to access, that could be a sign that the builder isn’t for you and a red flag. 

When comparing homes from different building companies, creating a ‘wishlist’ of non-negotiable items that must be included in your new home can be helpful. This list will help you compare costs accurately as you can establish the items covered by the standard inclusions and additional upgrades needing to be quoted. Arden offer an inclusions checklist which makes this easy for you.

When it comes to comparing building costs, make sure you review itemised quotes showing a breakdown of all the items covered. Quotes will reflect construction costs, inclusions, exclusions, upgrades selected and any potential variables, giving you a good representation of the total build price rather than a ‘guesstimate’. Once you receive an official quote from a builder, you can assess what you are getting for your money, making it easier to compare ‘apples with apples.’

• Hot tip #2: Remember, when comparing quotes, it’s all about reviewing the total value of the build, not a low base price.

2. Promotions and Special Offers

Don’t get too excited about big promotions and ‘price drops’. These are often tools designed to create buyer urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out) so you sign on that dotted line sooner rather than later.  

Many people don’t realise that promotions and offers might not save them money. It’s all about ‘smoke and mirrors’ for special offers to appeal to customers as the best value. We recommend comparing home base prices and inclusions, as offers aren’t always as they seem. 

Here are a few key things to look out for:

• Inflated base prices to accommodate a ‘big price drop’ promotion.
• ‘Bonus’ items worth thousands of dollars, which are actually included in other builders’ standard inclusions.
• Limited time deals with a very tight deadline.

3. It’s all about trust

It’s so important to choose a builder you can trust, after all, you form a partnership and work together throughout all stages of your build journey and even after your move-in date.

Engaging a builder who aligns with your values will help ensure a positive experience, so look into things like their sustainability policy, the suppliers they use and their reputation. When you find a builder that just ‘feels right’, you will know you are onto a good thing. 

Here at Arden, all of our homes include up-front and transparent pricing. We feel strongly about this as we value our relationship with our clients and understand the importance of establishing a trusting relationship upfront. 

Our  Standard Inclusions  detail all of our key inclusions so you can accurately compare the value of our base price against our competitors. This guide clearly and simply describes all-electric appliances, sinks, tapware, fixtures, finishes, flooring, electrical, ceilings, paint, doors, handles, staircases, energy, heating, cooling, vanities, basins, showers, baths, windows, cladding, façades, roofing, garages, connections and more.  

And if you’d like to chat about inclusions, base prices or comparisons of our Aspire and Lumina ranges, feel free to reach out – we are always happy to help. We are here to make your home-build journey easier!  

*Information is correct at time of publication.