Finding the right builder for your construction project can be a challenge. Many builders out there might not meet your expectations, using low-quality materials or failing to follow professional standards. At PropertyWiki, we help you avoid these pitfalls by only recommending the best. In fact, only 30% of builders pass our rigorous checks.
Build With Confidence
Many builders have a compliance history that includes minor infractions or lapses, which can sometimes be overlooked in less rigorous vetting processes. These infractions might range from small administrative oversights to more significant breaches of building codes or regulations. While some issues might seem minor, they can be indicative of larger systemic problems within a company, such as poor management practices or a lack of attention to detail.
In the construction industry, even small lapses can lead to bigger issues down the road, such as structural failures, safety hazards, or legal liabilities. These problems not only affect the immediate quality and safety of the construction project but can also have long-term financial and reputational consequences for property owners.
At PropertyWiki, our vetting process takes into account the entire compliance history of builders. We meticulously scrutinize their records to identify any past infractions, assessing the severity and frequency of these issues. This helps us understand the builder’s commitment to adhering to industry standards and regulations. By doing so, we aim to ensure that our clients are paired with builders who not only meet but exceed the basic requirements for compliance, demonstrating a consistent track record of reliability and professionalism.
Our strict criteria mean that many builders do not make it through our selection process. We believe that this rigour is necessary to provide our clients with the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are working with the best in the business, who are not only compliant but are also leaders in their field in terms of quality and safety. This rigorous selection process is a cornerstone of our commitment to upholding the highest standards in the construction industry.
The Checks
1. Long-Term License History Check
In our first step, we examine each builder’s licensing record. It’s crucial that builders have a current, valid license, and we check that they’ve held it continuously for many years without any suspensions or issues. This continuous licensure shows that a builder is reliable and committed to following industry regulations over the long term. By ensuring this, we help protect you from engaging with builders who may have a history of non-compliance or legal issues.
2. Legal Compliance Check
Our legal compliance check ensures that builders adhere strictly to the laws and regulations governing construction. We specifically look for any disciplinary actions under important laws like the Home Building Act 1989 and the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020. We also check for any past issues with state tribunals and building authorities. This thorough legal scrutiny helps confirm that the builders operate their businesses according to the highest standards, offering you peace of mind about their legal and professional integrity.
3. Professional Conduct Check
This check focuses on how builders conduct their business day-to-day. We look for any reports of unprofessional behaviour, such as failing to follow dispute resolution orders or receiving penalties for misconduct. By ensuring that builders maintain high standards of professionalism, we help ensure that they are not just skilled at building but are also capable of managing relations and disputes in a professional manner. This is key to a smooth and stress-free construction process.
4. Defects Check
We thoroughly review the history of builders’ completed projects to ensure they are free of major defects. This involves checking against claims filed through the Home Building Compensation Fund. Builders whose work consistently passes this scrutiny have a proven track record of delivering high-quality constructions that are built to last. This step is essential to ensure the structural integrity and safety of your project.
5. Public Warning Check
In this step, we verify that no public warnings have been issued against the builders. This includes checks for safety violations, breaches of legal compliance, or failures in consumer protection. A clean record in this area indicates a builder’s ongoing commitment to upholding safety and legal standards, which is critical in protecting the interests of their clients.
6. Criminal Prosecution Check
We ensure that our builders have never been criminally prosecuted in relation to their business practices. This check is vital as it helps confirm that the builders operate their businesses within the law, maintaining ethical practices throughout their operations. Builders who pass this check are verified as not only skilled but also law-abiding professionals.
7. Customer Experience
Customer feedback is a crucial component of our assessment process. We require builders to have at least a 90% positive rating from customer interviews, alongside positive online ratings and testimonials. This high standard for customer satisfaction ensures that the builders are not only good at their craft but also excel in customer service, consistently meeting or even exceeding client expectations.
Finding an Approved Builder
You can find approved builders by consulting our best-of lists:
