If you’re considering adding a granny flat (also known as a secondary suite) to your property, hiring the right builder is key. The builder you choose will largely determine how smooth the project goes and the quality of the final product. Here are some important questions you should ask any potential granny flat builder in Newcastle like Granny Flat Solutions before making your hiring decision:
1. Are you licensed and insured?
Make sure any builder you consider hiring is properly licensed, bonded, and insured. Ask to see copies of their licenses and certificates of insurance. This protects you in case there are problems down the road – you want to know they are operating legally.
2. How much experience do you have building granny flats specifically?
Building a granny flat is not the same as building a single-family home. Ask about their specific experience with secondary suites, including how many they have built and over how long. An experienced granny flat builder will be familiar with the specific regulations and considerations for building and zoning secondary dwellings.
3. Can you provide references from recent granny flat projects?
Reputable builders should be happy to provide references from past clients. Follow up with these references to ask questions about their experience, including quality of construction, timeliness, communication, and if there were any surprises or problems. Speaking with former customers will give you good insights into what it would be like working with that builder.
4. Do you handle all of the required permits and approvals?
Navigating the paperwork, permits, and approval requirements for granny flats can be daunting. Many builders have good relationships with local zoning offices and permitting agencies and are experienced dealing with secondary suite requirements. Make sure your builder will handle this paperwork for your specific property and jurisdiction.
5. Will your crew do all the work or do you use subcontractors too?
Ideally the builder will have an experienced crew that they have worked with extensively in the past. However, some may bring in certain subcontractors like electricians as needed. Ask about their specific crew vs subcontractors and how long they have worked together. Longtime crews typically mean better workmanship.
6. Can you provide a detailed written quote and payment schedule?
Reputable granny flat builders should have no issues providing a detailed quote outlining exactly what is included. This, along with a payment schedule tied to completion milestones, helps protect you from unexpected changes down the road. Make sure you understand exactly what is included before signing a contract.
7. Do you have a portfolio of past granny flat projects I can see?
Any good builder should have a portfolio of their past secondary dwelling projects. Being able to see examples of their work in terms of design and finishings can give you a good idea of their style and quality of construction.
8. Who handles communication during the project?
Construction projects involve many decisions and questions on the fly. Make sure your builder has good project management and communication practices. Find out who your main point of contact will be, how they prefer to communicate, and what type of response time you can expect.
9. How long will the project take from start to finish?
Building time frames can vary greatly depending on the size and specifics of your granny flat design. Get an estimate of the construction timeline so you can prepare. Also ask what schedule or overtime charges may apply if the project falls behind due to weather or other delays.
10. Do you offer any guarantees or warranties?
Most builders offer some type of warranty or guarantee on their workmanship. Ask about specifics – ideally guarantees would cover at least a year, if not longer. Extended warranties that cover certain systems or structures for 5-10 years can also give great peace of mind.
Conclsuion
Choosing the right granny flat builder takes research and asking the right questions. Be sure to get multiple quotes, follow up on references, and understand exactly what is included in their contract. Taking the time upfront means you are more likely to have a smooth building process and high quality finished secondary suite.
