How To Choose the Right Builder

by Briar Topp | Mar 11, 2024 | Silverstream News

Image of two builders working on the roof truss of a home under construction in Silverstream subdivision.

Ready to embark on the exciting journey of building your dream home? With so many great house and land packages and lots of building companies to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. You may be wondering, “How do I pick the right builder?” We’re here to help, with four tips on what to look for when choosing the right company to turn your dream home into a reality.

Experience

When you’re researching different building companies, start by checking out examples of their previous builds. Their website will normally have visual examples of the homes they’ve built in the past, and you may find more examples on their social media pages. However, it’s important to remember that just because a company has been around for a while, doesn’t automatically mean they’re the best choice. Keep reading to find out other important things to look out for when choosing the right builder for you.

Reputation

Reputation is a very important thing to look at when choosing your building company. They may have a lot of experience, but a bad reputation so make sure to do your due diligence when researching. Here are some things you can do to find out the reputation of a building company:

• Social Media

Explore their social media pages to see what they’re doing and what people are saying about them in the comments. You can also look up the company name on Facebook and in local community groups to see if there are any posts about the company from others who have worked with them in the past.

• News Articles

Check out any news articles on them by Googling the company name and clicking on the ‘news’ tab. This will allow you to see any recent news articles on the company, and get a sense of their public image.

• Word of Mouth

Ask for recommendations from family, friends and coworkers who’ve been through the building process. If someone you know has had a good experience with a building company, they may be a good option to consider when researching.

• Online Reviews

Look up the business on Google and read the reviews. If they have a Facebook page, explore reviews there too. This real feedback can give you real life insight into their past performance.

Budget

Navigating your budget is another important step in finding the right company to build your dream home. While choosing the cheapest option may be tempting, it’s important to find a balance between affordability and quality. Consider the packages a company offers – do they align with your budget while ensuring a high-quality home? Taking the time to assess your budget will help you make smart decisions and get your dream home without sacrificing quality.

Communication

Good communication is key when choosing a company to build your dream home. But how can you tell if a building company communicates well? Pay attention to how quickly and effectively they respond when you first inquire about packages. If their communication is lacking at the start, it’s likely to continue during your build, making the journey more stressful than it needs to be.

Exploring a building company’s showhome and connecting with the people who may be part of your building journey in person is a great way to establish a good rapport, which will ultimately create a smoother building experience.

Now that you’ve read our four helpful tips, you’re ready to start exploring the many great building companies out there. It might seem overwhelming at first but remember, experience, reputation, budget, and communication are the key to finding the right builder to craft your dream home.

Not sure where to start? We have established relationships with a range of experienced building companies, who are great options to consider when researching builders.

Discover our preferred builders

Best Hedging Options

Griselinia varieties especially Griselinia Canterbury (extremely hardy, fast-growing, perfect for shelter)
Pittosporum varieties especially Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ (attractive, dark green foliage and a reliable hedge option)
Teucrium fruiticans – Silver Germander (excellent for low hedging, providing silvery foliage all year round with pale blue bee-attracting flowers)
Lonicera nitida – Box Honeysuckle (rapid growth rate, makes excellent hedging)
Corokia Geenty’s Green (yellow flowers in Spring followed by red berries in Autumn)

Native Options

Coprosma (many varieties, attracts native birds)
Carex (numerous varieties for all conditions from dry to wetland—excellent for mass planting, bulletproof)
Marble Leaf (good for underplanting)
Poa cita/Silver Tussock (ideal for revegetation)
Manuka (attracts bees)
Kanuka (hardy native option)

Reliable Colour Shrubs

Nandina/Heavenly Bamboo varieties (attractive year-round foliage):
- Gulf Stream
- Lemon Lime
- Firepower
Lavender (attracts bees, thrives in dry conditions)
Camellia (good winter/early spring flowering)
Escallonia (can be grown as either shrub or hedge)
Hebe Wiri Mist (popular, reliable, and low maintenance)
Hebe Red Edge (a robust plant with lilac-coloured flowers which gradually fade to white)

Trees That Work

Paper Bark Maple (hardy variety)
Norway Maple (reliable performer)
Prunus /Flowering Cherries (beautiful seasonal display)
Malus/Ornamental Apple (excellent for gardens)
Weeping Pear (sturdy branches handle local conditions)
Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ (smaller variety, good for gardens)

“Just like when an architect considers which way a property faces when designing a house, Canterbury gardeners need to take the same approach.”

Plan Smart, Plant Smarter

Careful planning is the key, says Paul Saunders, Nursery Manager at Sublime.

“Soil preparation is a foundation that’s particularly important in new developments where topsoil may have been scraped away during construction, leaving less-than-ideal growing conditions behind,” he says.

“Then, rather than rushing to fill every corner with plants, I suggest taking an observational approach.”

There’s often the temptation to rush in and quickly plant everything straight away, says Paul, but the key is to take your time.

“Start with your hedging and shelter first,” he says. “This foundational step will create beneficial microclimates throughout your garden and an initial shelter belt that not only protects against Canterbury’s winds but also helps manage frost patterns across your section”.

Indeed, careful attention to sun exposure and positioning should help you decide which plants should go where.

“Just like when an architect considers which way a property faces when designing a house, Canterbury gardeners need to take the same approach,” says Jo.

“Plants on your north face need to be the ones that don’t mind full-on sun, which can be quite harsh, especially along with those easterly winds. Good fencing can help in that respect.”

“Think of your garden as a blank canvas—just with some unique factors you have to take into account to get the best result.”

Simply put, success comes from working with the unique Canterbury environment rather than against it. By choosing locally adapted plants and taking the time to understand your property’s specific conditions, you can create a garden that not only survives but thrives through our region’s dramatic seasonal changes.