How to find a good builder

Looking for the right builder comes down to what type of construction you plan to undertake. A simple and small-scale painting and paving job may not require fully established firms, but if you are embarking on a major building and construction job, you will need to follow the right steps.

Construction industry regulations

The construction industry is well regulated in this country and homebuilders are evaluated before they are deemed capable and competent enough to operate. Industry experts say the best way to find a competent builder is by contacting the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC). This organisation was established to protect homebuilders and to set and maintain construction quality standards in the building industry. It is an independent, non-profit, non-government organisation, established to assist homebuilders when a registered contractor defaults on his contract or fails to rectify certain faults. Builders and remodelling contractors registered with the NHBRC will guarantee that they will carry out the following in terms of the standard homebuilder’s warranty:

• Make good any defects related to plans, specifications workmanship and materials occurring within 90 days of occupation.
• Repair any roof leaks occurring within 12 months of occupation.
• Provide a five-year warranty on the structural integrity of the new house.

As a condition of registration with the NHBRC, the builder must issue a standard home builder’s warranty (SHBW) on the new home. This defect warranty forces the contractor to give the customer a five-year guarantee that any structural defects will be rectified by the contractor, for the contractor’s own account. The party which signs the contract, whether it builds the dwelling or not, is the party responsible for supplying the SHBW and should by implication be registered with the NHBRC. A unit enrolment certificate will be issued by the NHBRC after the SHBW has been registered.

It is important for owners to understand that photocopies of the warranty or enrolment certificates will be accepted as the original documents are a prerequisite for registration. No party may waive the SHBW.

The NHBRC’s Home Building Manual

Using building contractors registered with the NHBRC, who have agreed to abide by all the rules and regulations laid out by the body, offers homeowners peace of mind. This is due to registered homebuilders agreeing to build the house to a minimum quality standard that has been set out in the NHBRC’s Home Building Manual.

Complaints

If something goes wrong during the building process and the builder refuses or is unable to assist, a valid complaint may be raised and the NHBRC will investigate. It’s worth remembering that a valid complaint is one that relates to defects caused or likely to cause major structural damage.

Source: Private Property