FAQs

Questions to Ask Your Builder

George Giannakakis

By George Giannakakis · M.Arch · RLA300580 · HIA Industry Judge

Last reviewed: · How we research

Comparing builders? Our Adelaide home-builder guide covers builder types, quote comparison and the contract clauses to watch out for.

Questions to Ask Your Builder explained in detail

Before signing a building contract, ask: Are you qualified? Can I see examples of your recent work? Who will be my main contact? What's included and excluded in the price? What are the PC and PS allowances? What's the payment schedule? What warranty do you provide? How do you handle variations? What's the estimated timeline? Can I have references from recent clients?

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about questions to ask your builder

Key questions: What's your builder licence number? What's included/excluded? What are the allowances for PC and PS items? Is the quote based on my specific site or a standard allowance? What soil classification have you assumed? What's your margin on variations? What insurances do you hold? What's your current workload and realistic start date?

Authoritative Sources

Verify against the binding rules in your state

BuildPilot is an independent home-build CoPilot - we publish guidance, we don't hold a building licence. Every Australian residential build must comply with the National Construction Code plus state-specific Acts and consumer-protection law. The authorities below are the primary sources of truth for the rules that actually apply to your project.

National

Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)

The primary national set of technical building standards that every Australian build must comply with. Volume 2 covers Class 1 & 10 buildings (most homes).

Standards Australia

Specific material, product and method standards (e.g. AS 3700 masonry, AS 1684 timber framing) referenced by the NCC.

HIA

National peak body for residential builders. Publishes the most widely used home-building contracts and consumer guidance.

Master Builders Australia

National peak body for general builders. Publishes commercial and residential contracts and industry guidance.

Links above open the public website of each authority. BuildPilot is not affiliated with these bodies and does not act on their behalf. Information on this page is general - check the current edition of the NCC and the relevant state Act for binding requirements.

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