The Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Builder — Before You Sign a Thing

Hedgley Homes
May 8
3 min read

Building a home isn’t just a transaction — it’s a relationship. And like any relationship, how it starts can tell you a lot about how it’s going to go.

You’re about to put serious time, trust, and money into someone helping shape the home you’ll live in, raise a family in, or finally unwind in.

So before you get caught up in floorplans and façade choices, here are five questions worth asking — questions that go beyond the surface and help you avoid budget shocks, timeline blowouts, or post-contract regrets.

1. What’s Actually Included in the Price?

Display homes are designed to impress — and they do. But the truth is, many of the features you fall in love with are upgrades.

That pendant lighting, the stone splashback, the timber floors? Often not part of the standard package.

Ask your builder to walk you through exactly what’s included in the base price — not just what's on display. And if they can show you photos of homes built to that spec, even better.

It’s not about downgrading your dream, it’s about knowing where you’re starting from.

2. Is This a Fixed-Price Contract or Will Costs Change Later?

This one’s huge.

A builder might quote you one figure up front, but unless it’s a fixed-price contract, things can — and often do — shift. Terms like “provisional sums” or “PC items” can sound harmless, but may mean extra costs later.

At Hedgley Homes, we keep it clean with fixed-price contracts, so what you see is what you pay. You shouldn’t need a law degree to know where your money’s going.

3. Who Will I Actually Be Talking To During the Build?

It’s easy to feel confident after chatting with a friendly sales consultant, but are they the one who’s going to be managing your build?

Ask your builder to explain how communication works once construction begins. Will you have a dedicated project manager?

How often will you get updates? Can you reach someone if something changes on-site?

You want to know who’s steering the ship before you’re in the middle of the ocean.

4. What Kind of Timeline Should I Expect — Honestly?

Everyone wants to know when they’ll get the keys — but the better question is, how does the builder manage time?

Instead of just asking for a handover date, dig into their process. What’s the average build time for a home like yours?

What delays do they plan for — and how do they communicate if timelines shift?

You’re not expecting perfection.

You’re expecting honesty. And that’s completely fair.

5. Can I Speak to Someone Who’s Already Built With You?

Photos can be staged. Instagram can be curated.

But a real conversation with someone who’s already walked the path you’re about to take?

That’s priceless.

Ask to speak to a past client, or better yet, visit a recently completed home. It’ll give you the clearest picture of what life looks like on the other side of the contract.