You want to build a new home, but where do you start?
Even as you take your first step into a display village, you’re already faced with so many options and it’s easy to be swept up in the excitement of your dream home becoming reality.
However, before you start picking colour schemes, your very first step should be finding the best builder for the job.
Here are our eight questions to ask when visiting a display village:
- Is the builder local?
At Hamlan, we believe our knowledge of local lifestyles and landscapes is important when designing a home. We have long-standing relationships with local contractors and local suppliers. We’re also actively involved in our local community and support local groups including G21, Northern Futures and Geelong Mums.
- How long has the builder been operating?
Knowing your builder has a long history and excellent reputation should seal the deal. Hamlan was established after the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires – and is now Geelong’s biggest locally owned and operated builder.
- What is the building process?
Gain an understanding of the building process and the timeframes between paying the deposit to moving in to your new home. Communication is important when building your dream home. At Hamlan, the people who do the work for you are the people who will communicate with you. Our new home consultant, style consultant and site manager will walk you through each step and provide you with regular communication along the way.
- What changes can be made to floorplans?
Some builders don’t allow for any changes to their standard floorplans. Our Aspect range comes with multiple options that are pre-designed giving our clients the chance to tailor the floorplans to suit their individual lifestyle. We also offer clients the opportunity to work with our design team to fully customise their home.
- What is included as standard?
What is on display may not be what the builder offers as standard. Ask what fittings and finishes, for example paint, laminate and carpet, comes standard with the home, and understand how this compares to the other builders’ inclusions.
- What is the quality of the products used and how much maintenance will be required?
You want your home to stand the test of time, so having quality products and materials that don’t require a lot of ongoing maintenance in your home is crucial. At Hamlan we’re proud of our reputation for quality finishes using superior materials. We were also the first builder in Geelong to offer the Tesla Powerwall 2 with backup as part of our standard inclusions.
- What does the price include?
Budget is important – you need to know what is included in the price as well as what other fees or extra costs may pop up down the track.
- Is there a colour selection appointment and where does this take place?
You want to make the right decisions when personalising your home. Hamlan’s style consultants guide you through the selection of internal and external finishes. This takes place at the head office in Geelong over a three-hour session.
Remember, the decisions you make when building your dream home may affect your day-to-day life for years to come, so enter the process well informed.
When you build with Hamlan, you can feel confident that our expert team will guide you through a smooth building process. The result will be a beautiful home where you and your family can share many happy milestones.
For more information call 1300 426 526.
