ChoosingabuilderinBrisbane:12questionstoaskbeforeyousign
The right builder makes a job; the wrong one ruins a year of your life. The 12 questions every Brisbane homeowner should ask before signing a contract.
Choosing a builder is the single most consequential decision in any home project. Get it right and the next 12 months are exciting. Get it wrong and you'll spend the next two years trying to claw back time, money and trust.
These are the 12 questions we wish every Brisbane homeowner asked before they signed a contract — including with us.
Licensing, insurance and accreditation
- What's your QBCC licence number and class — and can I verify it?
- Do you hold current Home Warranty Insurance for the contract value?
- Are you a member of Master Builders Queensland or HIA, and how long?
The contract itself
- Is this a fixed-price contract or a cost-plus arrangement?
- What's your variations process and pricing — and can I see a sample variation?
- What allowances are in the contract for site costs, selections and PC items?
- What are the liquidated damages if the build runs over?
How the build actually runs
- Who's my point of contact, weekly, for the entire build?
- How often do you do walkthroughs with me on site?
- Which trades on this job have you worked with for more than five years?
References and reality
- Can I walk through a finished home and talk to the owner?
- Can I visit an active site and meet your supervisor?
What the answers tell you
A builder who answers all twelve clearly, in writing, with examples — that's the builder you sign with. A builder who gets vague, defensive or 'we'll work that out later' on any of them — that's the builder you walk away from, no matter how good the quote looks.
“Exceptional customer service. Chris and his team were highly recommended to us and they lived up to every word — nothing was too hard for them.”
— Anthony & Claire, new home build
