Newcastle is a multifaceted and multicultured area and one of the fastest-growing residential and commercial development locations in New South Wales. With real estate in demand and so many people moving from Sydney and interstate to make the Hunter Valley their new home, it’s important to find the right builder for the job. A local builder in Newcastle will know not only the home building trends that will help your new house fit into the Hunter Valley lifestyle, but they’ll also know all the details regarding regulations and building standards. While that’s all well and good, how do you know which builders have the skills, floor plans, house designs and knowledge to meet your needs? Here’s our advice on the best questions to ask when searching for a home builder for your next project.
What to check
Following is a list of what to check before selecting a building company for your Newcastle home:
The Company’s History
The story behind a building company can reveal everything about its values, what it specialises in, and the types of builds it caters to. It will also provide a glimpse into their character, previous experience and connection to the area you’re looking to build in.
Vision Homes are Hunter Valley born and bred and have been building homes in Newcastle since 2008, with projects ranging in location from the Central Coast to the Hunter Valley. Since the beginning, they’ve offered a wide range of home designs to suit Novocastrians, offering services including custom builds and a variety of house designs.
Their Reputation
Every business, from a real estate agent to your local fish and chip shop, will tell you they’ve got the goods, but the real indicator of quality is the reputation a company builds with the community. Locals and previous clients are a great source of information when it comes to how a company treats its customers and conducts its business.
Vision Homes is a local company that cares about the local community because this is our home. As Katie Greenwood says in her five-star review, ‘the benefit of working with a local family business is that when you have these issues, you call and speak to a real person who does actually care, not some head office in Sydney who treat you like a number.’
Our goal is to help our clients throughout their building journey, leaving them with the perfect new home for their lifestyle.
The Company’s Experience of Building Homes in Newcastle Specifically
Where you’re building a home makes all the difference in how you approach a construction project. From understanding the ins and outs of local guidelines and code to having local connections, local builders who know the area they’re building in have a distinct advantage over other companies.
Vision Homes was founded by Newcastle locals, so to our team, this region is our home, too. We’re local builders in the most literal sense, having long-standing relationships with some of the best contractors and suppliers in the area. We understand what it takes to build a durable home in Newcastle and have the home designs to prove it.
Their Success Rate in Building Homes in Newcastle
Though display homes provide an idea of a builder’s style and potential, it also helps to investigate their results in the area you’re looking to build in. A builder with more successful builds in the Newcastle area is more likely to get the result you’re after than one who hasn’t.
Visions Homes has built high-quality homes across the local region in a variety of locations, including Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and Newcastle. We will also take on some projects in Port Stephens and Singleton, depending on the home build.
Their Average Build Time
The average time it takes to build a home will vary depending on the size of the house, the location of the build, the land it’s being built on and the complexity of the floor plan and house design. On average, a single-storey house will take between 4–9 months, while a two-storey house takes between 8–12. Custom homes, split-level homes and knock-down rebuilds all take around 12 months to complete.
Average Cost Per Home in The Area
Asking how much a house is going to cost is a difficult question to answer, as many factors will influence the final price. In Newcastle, the average cost of a house is around $620–$3,900 per square metre, depending on the builder, design, location and materials.
At Vision Homes, we understand the importance of staying within a budget. While it is difficult to provide an exact quote without knowing more details about your build, our experts will strive to find a home design and solutions that will provide long-term value for money. We offer a wide range of upgrades and packages, and the features you choose for your home will play a role in the overall cost of your home.
The Company’s Average Customer Satisfaction Rating
When looking at potential builders, it’s worth looking at what previous customers have had to say about their experience with the company. The best reviews offer not just a star rating but also a summary of what the builder provided and details as to why the customer gave that ranking.
Below is just one of the many reviews Vision Homes has received expressing complete customer satisfaction:
‘Vision homes did a great job with my dream house Their comprehensive approach to construction educated me on the significant factors to consider when building your dream house. I learned a lot from looking different types of floor plans to budgeting my money in terms of raw materials and construction supply.’
What’s in The Warranty Policy?
In New South Wales, the standard Builder’s Warranty covers structural damage for six years for major defects and two years for minor issues. Some inclusions and features will have their own individual warranties, which will be discussed during the building process.
The Company’s Customer Service Policy
Vision Homes endeavours to provide the best customer service from your first communication with our sales team to when you’re handed the keys and ready to move into your dream home. Our goal is to provide the friendly, personalised aspect of a local builder while having the connections and complete service of a larger company. We strive to use our local knowledge to create a home that you’ll love for years to come.
You can trust the team at Vision Homes to build your home.
At Vision Homes, we understand every home is someone’s dream house and treat each building accordingly. As locals of the Newcastle area, we pride ourselves on understanding the area and creating the best home designs for our clients. From sloping blocks to knockdown rebuilds and everything in between, our expert team has a wide range of designs to suit your property.
To discuss bringing your dream home to life, get in touch with Vision Homes today!