We're often the third or fourth builder a client speaks to. Here are the questions that consistently flush out who's going to look after you and who won't.
1. Are you a registered builder, and what's your DBU number?
VBA registration is non-negotiable for any job over $10,000. Ask for the number on the spot and check it on the VBA website before signing anything.
2. Do you carry domestic building insurance?
Required for jobs over $16,000. A builder who hesitates here is a hard pass.
3. Who's actually running my job day-to-day?
On a renovation, the site supervisor is more important than the company name on the truck. Ask to meet them before you sign.
4. Can I see a job in progress, not just the finished photos?
How a site is run mid-build tells you more than any glossy portfolio. A clean, organised site is a builder taking care.
5. How do variations get priced and approved?
Get this in writing. The answer should be a documented variation form with a price and your sign-off before any work starts.
6. What's your defect process at handover?
Look for a documented walk-through, snag list, and a written timeline to clear it. 'We'll fix anything you find' is not a process.
7. Can I speak to your last three clients?
Not selected references — the last three. A builder who can't put you onto the most recent jobs is hiding something.
