Top Questions to Ask Your Builder Before Signing a Contract

For many New Zealanders, a home building project represents the culmination of years of planning, saving, and imagining. That’s why choosing a builder isn’t a decision to take lightly. The right company will understand your priorities, communicate clearly, and guide you through the process with care. At Your Way Home, that’s the kind of experience we aim to deliver for every client, and our commitment to providing it has made us the master builders NZ residents trust most.

While contracts might feel like the legal fine print you just have to get through, they actually play a central role in protecting your interests and those of your builder. A clear, well-structured agreement helps get everyone on the same page before construction begins. But to get to that point, you need to be asking the right questions early in the process. Here are a few key things to quiz your builder about before you commit to signing anything:

How Much Can I Customise My Home Design?

Every homeowner has a different idea of what “home” should look and feel like. Whether you want to create a more open-plan kitchen, adjust window placements for better sun, or adapt to a sloped site, the amount of room you have to customise can determine how well the final build suits your lifestyle.

Some builders work strictly from a set of standard plans, while others offer varying degrees of flexibility. It’s worth asking early on what scope there is for design changes, which can range from minor tweaks to full custom designs. A builder who welcomes your input, rather than seeing it as an inconvenience, is often one who’s more invested in helping you realise your vision.

Who Will I Be Dealing with throughout the Build?

Few things are more frustrating than having to repeat yourself to a new person every time you call. In a project as complex and time-sensitive as a home build, consistent communication with the right people is a must for success.

Before you sign, ask how the builder structures their client relationships. Will you have a dedicated point of contact from start to finish, or will you be liaising with different departments along the way? Who will be managing the day-to-day on-site, and how closely will they be working with the original designer or estimator? Understanding the chain of communication will help you feel more in control and ensure that important details don’t fall through the cracks.

How Will You Keep Me in the Loop During the Build?

Some people are content to just hand over their plans and trust the process, but most feel more comfortable when they know what’s happening on site. Regular communication doesn’t just preserve your peace of mind; it gives you the opportunity to catch issues early and stay involved in key decisions.

It’s always a good idea to have your builder walk you through their communication process. Will you get weekly progress reports, site visits, or calls only when something needs approval? Is there a system for tracking updates, or does it rely on ad hoc communication? Clarify this in advance to set expectations for both sides.

What’s Your Timeline, and How Do You Manage Delays?

A well-managed build should have a clear and realistic schedule, but even the best-run projects can hit speed bumps. Weather, supplier delays, and council processing times can all play a part, so there’s no point in asking whether delays might happen. In the end, it’s more important to know how your builder intends to deal with them when they do. Ask for a proposed build timeline, including major milestones and handover expectations. Just as important, find out what systems are in place for managing unexpected delays.

What Warranties and Guarantees Do You Offer?

Your relationship with your builder shouldn’t come to an abrupt end once they hand the keys over. Good builders stand by their work long after they hammer in the last nail. That’s why they put warranties and guarantees in place; these will protect you in case something goes wrong after the project is technically done.

Don’t just ask if warranties are included; ask what they cover and how the process works if you need to make a claim. How long does the structural warranty last? What about non-structural issues like fittings or workmanship? Is there a defect liability period? You’ll find it much easier to secure follow-up support after moving in if you know the answers to these questions upfront.

How Do You Approach Changes during the Build?

Financial clarity is non-negotiable when you’re investing in a home. Ask for a detailed payment schedule broken into logical stages, commonly including deposit, consent lodgement, slab pour, framing, and completion. Find out whether payments are tied to specific milestones or fixed dates, and clarify how variations or upgrades will affect billing. The goal is a structure that’s transparent and predictable, with no hidden costs or vague timelines.

Asking the right questions early on helps set the tone for a smoother, more transparent building experience. If you’re looking for a builder who values clarity, collaboration, and craftsmanship, Your Way Home is ready to help you get started. We’d be honoured to bring your dream home to life for you, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.