Deciding on your new home, and who should build it is a big decision. It requires not just financial investment, but time and careful consideration to make the right choice for your family.
If a building company has caught your eye, we strongly recommend arranging a meeting early on. Avoid starting with a quick email asking for a price. A number alone won’t give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
Why? Because price without context is meaningless.
The real question you should be asking is: what value am I getting?
Value versus Price
If you shortlist builders based purely on price, you could be ruling out the best fit for your budget, priorities, and vision. Focusing on value vs. price is key, but the only way to assess true value is by understanding more. And the best way to do that? Have a conversation.
Even if you don’t choose a particular builder, a meeting is never a waste of time. It can provide:
- Insights into design options you may not have considered
- Clarity around what’s included in the price (specs, materials, services)
- A better understanding of how one builder compares to another
All of this gives you context, allowing you to make a more informed, confident decision.
A meeting also helps you determine if the company is the right fit in terms of communication style, expertise, and understanding of your goals. Are they listening? Do they offer customised solutions that aligns with your needs? Are you really comparing apples with apples?…… Aren’t these questions equally important?
For custom homes, the choices are infinite, so trust and experience matter. You need a builder with the expertise and integrity to confirm if the house you want can be achieved with your budget? And indicate what else needs to be considered?
For plan-based designs, prices may be set, but they can vary depending on upgrades, performance levels, or tweaks to suit your family. That’s why we ask questions first…. to ensure we’re offering solutions that truly reflect your priorities.
Yes, a meeting might take an hour of your time, but that’s a small investment for peace of mind when making one of the biggest decisions of your life.
At Chatterton Homes, we start the process as we mean to continue – with good communication, transparency, and genuine advice. Any reputable builder should do the same.
Happy researching!
