Advice for Customers

Buying a house is the biggest purchase you'll ever make. Here's what builders have to say about the overall process of having a new home built:

• Do your homework when you're looking for a builder. Ask questions, write down what you hear, and ideally talk to more than one builder before making your decision.
• Remember that homes are built by people, not machines. Expect some glitches or small mistakes along the way - and expect them to be addressed promptly by your builder.
• When you're considering upgrades, think about which features are easy to change down the road, e.g. cupboard handles or ceiling light fixtures, versus things that take more comprehensive renovation, such as flooring, and make your upgrade choices accordingly.
• Know your budget, decide on the specific features that you want in your new home, and communicate them clearly to your builder.
• Identify a contact person for your builder, e.g. you or your spouse. Problems can arise when partners are both giving the builder information, and don't necessarily agree with each other!
• Be organized and ready to meet the deadlines that the builder asks for, e.g. choosing finishes. There are many steps in building, each involving a series of activities. If one step is missed it causes an unfortunate domino effect that can de-rail deadlines.
• Arrange financing in advance so you are prepared to take full ownership of the house at the scheduled time.
• Read your Agreement of Purchase and Sale so you fully understand the contractual arrangement you've entered into.
• After your home is built and prior to moving in, you'll be required to participate in a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI). To learn more about PDIs, please click here.