With build costs rising and cost-of-living pressure high, many home buyers are putting deeper consideration into the builder that will bring their dream home to life.
While major builders with household names are often a first port of call, some key factors are nudging many buyers to explore local, boutique companies – including intimate knowledge of the area.
“When you pick a local builder, they’ll come to you and say, ‘Look, I know you love that design, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I wasn't completely honest and say it’s not the right design for your land – this is what will work even better,” says James Stroud, CEO, Stroud Homes.
Here are five more reasons why local builders are increasingly winning buyers’ trust.
Many home buyers are turning to local builders to get the best results for their new homes.
1. Luxury that still fits the budget
There’s a common perception that working with a local builder could come with a premium on price, but this isn’t always the case.
“Your local builder can have smaller overheads and less corporate infrastructure, and we are there to work for the local community,” says Mr Stroud.
Mr Stroud says budget-conscious buyers should also be wary of advertised specials, as the costs could quickly escalate by the time design adaptations are made and custom features added.
He says local knowledge is key to accessible luxury – starting with the right layout for your lifestyle, the right orientation for climate control, enduring materials that suit the area, and quality craftsmanship.
2. Part of the local community
A second factor appealing to buyers is that local builders don’t just work in the area but are part of it.
This means they understand the local lifestyle, how you’ll use your home and the layout that will suit your needs.
“When you choose a local builder, your home is being built by people who care about the community and care about you,” he says.
Local builders have a commitment to making sure they have a solid reputation for good work in their area.
3. Quality workmanship prioritised
Local builders have a close network of trades – ranging from plumbers to electricians, carpenters to tilers. This means their reputation matters.
“When you have a close-knit team of trades, they’ll work together to get the best outcomes as they rely on their reputations and referrals,” says Mr Stroud.
He adds that a potential bonus could be that they know the local authorities – which could help with understanding local regulatory needs and resolving issues.
4. Understanding the local environment
Buyers are attracted to the fact that local builders can leverage their knowledge of the landscape and climate to enhance their home design.
Factors such as where the sun rises and sets, the slope of the land, local council overlays and more will be second nature, Mr Stroud explains.
“An example is work we did in Kalbar; a Queensland town built on a west-facing hillside that looks straight across to the Cunningham Mountain Range,” he says.
“People wanted to build for the views, and I’d say, ‘It’s a beautiful view, but that western sun is blazingly hot. If you put windows on that side, you’ll end up tinting them and putting curtains over them, and I’ll have trouble getting the energy-efficiency ratings to work.”
While some builders may have gone ahead and built for the views, he says this local knowledge resulted in more comfortable and energy efficient homes.
A builder with experience in the local area can help design a home that fits its climate and landscape.
5. Direct communication
A fifth factor appealing to buyers about local builders is that they can feel more engaged with their builder in the end-to-end process.
“A lot of our Stroud franchise teams have just five to 20 people in the office. Typically, the person having their home built ends up knowing the names of everyone in the team,” says Mr Stroud.
With smaller operations, buyers can get faster answers and more immediate updates on progress.
“We call all of our customers every Friday and answer three questions – what happened last week, what’s going to happen next week, and anything that needs resolving,” he says.
Long-lasting outcomes
Finding the right builder is just as important as finding the right design.
Mr Stroud says if factors such as local knowledge, craftsmanship and close communication count, a local builder such as Stroud Homes could be the right path forward.
“We do everything we can to make sure our clients are happy with their home – not just on the day they sign the contract or at handover – but far into the future. That’s the local care factor,” he says.
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