What exactly are you quoting for?
Ask the builder to state whether the proposal is for a shell, a finished home, delivery or a complete installed project. Request an itemized specification and a list of exclusions. If an illustration shows a deck, furniture or landscaping, ask whether those elements are included. Save the answer with the quote instead of relying on an informal conversation.
Which parts of the project are my responsibility?
Ask who handles the site assessment, surveys, design changes, engineering, applications, utility arrangements and inspections. Identify the actual professional or authority involved in each step. Where responsibilities overlap, request a clear sequence so one piece of work does not proceed on an unconfirmed assumption.
Can I review the documents before committing?
Ask to see the agreement, specification, payment milestones, change process and warranty terms. Find out which drawings and records you receive, at what stage and in what format. Take questions you cannot confidently assess to an appropriately qualified local professional before signing.
How are changes and delays handled?
Ask how you will approve substitutions or changes in writing and how their price and timing will be documented. Identify the points when your decisions are needed. Discuss how delays are communicated and what the contract says about them. Comparing this process can be as revealing as comparing the initial quoted price.
What can I inspect and verify?
Ask about opportunities to review work in progress, completed projects and references from customers who have agreed to be contacted. Clarify what independent inspections are possible and how they fit into the schedule. Treat pictures and testimonials as starting points for questions rather than a substitute for reviewing the actual project and agreement.
What happens after delivery?
Request the handover documents, operating information, maintenance instructions and support process. Clarify who addresses installation issues and how a warranty claim is made. Keep records of agreed actions during handover. Before a deposit, you should understand both what you are purchasing and the process for resolving a problem.
Record the evidence behind each answer
| Question | Useful written evidence | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| What is included? | Itemized specification and exclusions | Clarify illustrations and optional extras |
| Who handles the site? | Named responsibilities and sequence | Request site-specific quotes |
| How is quality checked? | Inspection access and applicable records | Agree corrections before concealment |
| How do changes work? | Written price/time approval process | Clarify substitutions and decision dates |
| What follows delivery? | Handover file and warranty process | Confirm travel, labor and installation scope |
Ask every shortlisted builder the same questions using the same brief. Retain their responses with the quote date. Our regional directory links directly to company sources and identifies product categories; inclusion is a research starting point, not an independent inspection or recommendation. Check registration, references and the actual contract before choosing.
Ask for a worked handover and a realistic problem response
Ask the builder to show what another completed handover file looks like, with any personal information removed. Look for the drawing register, equipment details, operating instructions, test records, inspection evidence where applicable, maintenance schedule and warranty contacts. Establish which documents you receive before payment, during the work and after installation.
| Scenario to discuss | A useful documented answer |
|---|---|
| A specified appliance is unavailable | Substitution approval, changed price, dimensions and timing |
| The site is not ready on delivery day | Storage, rescheduling, responsibility and charges |
| An independent inspection finds an issue | Access, hold point, correction and review process |
| A fault appears after placement | Contact, response process and allocation of site versus home work |
| You request an added feature | Written design change and its complete effects |
Request references you can contact with the owner’s permission, ideally for a comparable project and service area. Ask about completion, communication, unresolved issues and support. Treat references as part of a wider assessment: the relevant contract, current company identity and the exact specification still need review. A polished tour should not substitute for those records.
Keep a comparison sheet with one row per question and one column per builder. Record a clear answer, the supporting document and anything that remains unknown. Avoid awarding points for confident language. Shortlist on whether the proposal fits the actual home and site, and whether you understand the commitment. Take unresolved contract or technical questions to the appropriate local professional.