Choosing to build your home is a big step, but how do you choose a builder for your new home? In this article, we’ll discuss how to choose a new home builder, things to consider when choosing a new home builder, and when to speak to the experts at KIBA Built for your new home.
When you choose to build a new home rather than buy a new home that’s already been built, it can be a daunting process. But it doesn’t have to be. Here we’ll take you through the factors you need to consider when choosing a home builder you’ll be happy with, including things you might not have thought of.
How to Choose a Builder for Your New Home
So you’ve decided to build a new home from scratch. Now what? Surely it’s as simple as going on the internet and picking the first new home builder that comes up in your search results, right? Wrong!
No two home builders are the same, which is why there are some factors you need to consider when making sure your home builder is the right fit for you and your family.
Do Your Research
When selecting the right home builder for your project, one of the first things you should do is research. Scour the internet for all you can find on the builders you are interested in working with. Talk to people who have worked with that company and ask them for advice about working with them.
For some businesses, you may be able to view their previous work by touring display homes so you can get up close and personal. If this is available, do it.
As new home builders we know the power of a great referral and when asked, will always provide our new customers with access to testimonials from previous clients so they can become familiar with our work and how we develop relationships with our clients.
Things to Consider When Choosing a New Home Builder
In this section, we’ll go through some of the factors you should consider when choosing to build a home and selecting the right home builder for your dream home.
Licensing and Memberships
When you’re looking for a reliable new home builder one of the very first things you need to look for is licensing and memberships. This is your home and it should be done right. The last thing you want is to sign a contract with a builder who isn’t properly licensed and incapable of completing the project you’ve invested all your time and money on.
Memberships to industry boards and affiliations with reputable companies also indicate that a company is a reliable new home builder worthy of your project.
Warranties and Guarantees
All good home builders – including KIBA Built – offer different warranties and guarantees on certain fixtures, building plans and finishes. Before choosing your home builder, it’s important that you’re aware of what these are and how they work in your favour.
Type of Home Builder
Most home builders have specialisations, meaning that they generally focus on building one type of home for the majority of their clients.
For instance, at KIBA Built, we specialise in quality, new home builds with a Hampton flair to give our clients the ultimate sense of luxury and elegance. If this is the type of home you are looking for but your new home builder of choice doesn’t specialise in this, then maybe they aren’t the one for you.
Plan or Off-Plan
While we specialise in Hampton homes at KIBA Built and have a variety of plans our customers can choose from, we also love to get creative and will adapt all our plans to work in with your specifically curated wants and needs. But some businesses prefer to work with an existing plan.
This is something you need to take into account when choosing the right home builder for your home.
Upgrades
What comes as standard and what do you have to pay extra for? If you’ve never built a home from scratch before, you may come unstuck with upgrades and finishes that weren’t included in initial planning. At KIBA Built, much of what other companies consider upgrades comes as standard in our home plans.
Time and Money
Construction is a volatile industry, particularly with COVID and all the supply chain issues some companies are facing. Time and money are a huge consideration when making sure your home builder is right for you. Make sure you’re aware of all the fees involved in your new construction build.
You also need to be certain that the home will be completed in the provided time frame. Building a new home can’t be rushed and does take time. So, unfortunately, if you need your new home ready within six weeks of signing a contract, know that it’s probably not realistic and building a home mightn’t be the best option for you.
Why Choose KIBA Built?
At KIBA Built, we’re dedicated to ensuring you and your family get the dream home you’ve always wanted, without the hassle. Our highly qualified builders and design team will work with you every step of the way so you can be confident the home you wanted on paper will become your reality.
With a commitment to excellence, our standard is second to none. If you want your home build done right, choose KIBA Built.
Ready to take the next step in your new home build? Contact us today!
If you’re looking to rejuvenate your house, it’s important to evaluate what renovations add value to your home. In this article, we’ll take you through some of the ways to add value to your property through renovations, and how KIBA Built can help you get the job done right.
When you’re undertaking renovations in your home, making it look pretty and more modern is one thing.
But if you’re renovating with the intention of selling, or you want to improve the value of your home, it’s important to consider how much these renovations will add to the value and livability of your property.
Renovations that Add Value to Your Home
While simple fixes and quick solutions can make you feel better about the look of your home, if you really want to invest in a quality renovation that will make a difference to your property, these are the renovations you might want to consider.
Kitchen Renovations
Kitchens are often considered the heart of the home,with evidence suggesting that when done right and professionally by a team like that at KIBA Built, you might see a return on investment of up to 78%.
And with the kitchen often acting as the heart of your home, why wouldn’t you renovate the space to ensure it was upgraded with the latest technology, appliances and trends to get the most bang for your buck on sale day.
Things to Upgrade
If you want to upgrade your kitchen, some of the things you might start with include:
- Splashback
- Installation of a butler’s pantry
- Installing or renovating kitchen islands to make the most of prep space
- Installing sleek kitchen cabinetry and hardware
- Making the most of storage space
Bathroom Renovations
Rather than just being the place people go to wash and get ready for the day ahead, bathrooms need to have a sense of luxury about them if you want to truly add value to your home and rejuvenate your living space.
Things to Upgrade
To make the most of your bathroom renovation, consider the following:
- Bathroom extensions – particularly helpful if your current bathroom is pokey or you simply need more space
- Upgrade your bathroom vanity
- Upgrade the bathtub
- Change out fixtures and appliances
- Make the most of storage space or add additional storage
Landscaping, Outdoor Areas & Curb Appeal
A homebuyer’s first impression is often with the landscaping, outdoor area and curb appeal of a property. The best way to make use of this and increase your chances of making more of a profit in terms of resale is to make your house sing from the outside in.
Things to Upgrade
The following areas are key if you want to make the most of your outdoor area:
- Professional landscaping and decking
- Pool installations
- Facade rejuvenation
- New stairways and carports
Extensions & Add Ons
When done correctly, extensions and add ons can make a world of difference to your property, regardless of whether you’re selling or if you want to make the home you have more liveable. At KIBA Built, we’re specialists in extensions and add ons that will add value to your property.
Things to Upgrade
The Hamptons style colour palette isn’t just about the colour palette but also about the textures Some areas you might consider adding onto include:
- Garages
- Second storeys
- Attic space or studio areas
- Additional bedrooms or loft spaces
When to Call in the Experts
While renovation shows and DIY videos may indicate that you can attempt some of these projects yourself, the best way to add value to your home is to invest in the space you want to renovate and ensure it’s done right and looks great the first time around.
To speak to the experts about your renovation, contact KIBA Built today.
If watching The Block this year has got you hankering for a Hamptons style home, the first place you’ll want to start is the Hamptons Style colour palette.
In this article, we’ll take you through all you need to know about the Hamptons style colour palette, colours to incorporate, colours to avoid and other things to consider when looking to introduce the Hamptons style colour palette into your home.
What is the Hamptons Style Colour Palette?
Of course, the Hamptons style colour palette has been around for quite some time, but it has enjoyed something of a resurgence recently as it’s incorporated into various styling shows and magazines for its sleek, modern look.
The Hamptons style relies heavily on light, bright, breezy and open spaces, but it is achievable no matter the size of your home. The Hamptons Style colour palette, it could be said, may especially work well in smaller spaces because of its paired-back minimalist design, and emphasis on letting light inside rather than blocking it out with heavy curtains.
Some of the colours that feature heavily in the Hamptons Style colour palette are:
- Whites
- Blues
- Greys
Greys
You don’t want a dark grey when attempting to introduce the Hamptons style colour palette in your home, regardless of whether it’s a new home, or a renovation project. Find a softer, light grey such as Dulux’s Grey Pail or Grey Pebble, or Haymes’ Sense if you are looking for something a little bolder.
Blues
Blues are where you can bring in the darker tones to really make your Hamptons-esque home stand out. Primarily, the Hamptons style colour palette tends to focus on deeper blues like navy or indigo.
Whites
When we talk about including white as part of the Hamptons style colour palette, we’re not talking about a creamy, almost eggshell-like colour, but rather a crisp white. Opt for something natural, that the light will play well off and balance out your blues and greys.
What colours should I avoid?
When trying to achieve the Hamptons style colour palette, it’s best to avoid bright colours (unless they’re used very sparingly – like in a featured artwork from your favourite artist).
Shades like orange, pink, red or yellow aren’t very flattering for the Hamptons style colour palette, and you’ll want to stay away from dull or chocolate browns as they detract from the light, bright and open essence you’re trying to achieve.
What textures should I include in my Hamptons Style Colour Palette?
The Hamptons style colour palette isn’t just about the colour palette but also about the textures and accents you use to really make the colours pop.
Popular choices are marble (or faux marble if you can’t afford the real thing) – as it makes for a great combination of the grey and white, shaker cabinets for kitchens and cladding for the exterior, or timber accents like wooden/wood-look vinyl floorboards.
It’s important that when building the Hamptons Style colour palette, you should do so from the inside out. For instance, if your interior is mainly greys and whites, use your navy blue choices for a bold exterior.
Can I achieve the Hamptons Style colour palette on a budget?
As specialists in boutique Hamptons style homes, we know that it is absolutely possible to achieve the Hamptons style colour palette in your home no matter your budget. Whether you’re building a new home, or simply want to rejuvenate your existing home in the Hamptons style, there are options for everyone.
To find out more about how to incorporate the Hamptons style colour palette into your home, talk to our experts today!
Where Are The Hamptons
The Hamptons, on eastern Long Island’s South Fork, is a string of seaside communities known as a summer destination for affluent New York City residents. It’s marked by long stretches of beach and an interior of farmland, towns and villages with 18th-century shingle buildings and estates hidden behind tall boxwood hedges. East Hampton is home to high-end restaurants, bars and designer boutiques. The Hamptons – Wikipedia
What Is The Hamptons Style
To get the Hamptons look for your home you’ll need to combine a rustic, casual beach style juxtaposed against a sophisticated classic look.
You’ll need to mix some cool blue shade, off-white tones, panelled walls and wooden flooring are just some of the ways you can reinvent your house into a resort-like home. Large windows to flood the living spaces with natural light helps to create a sense of peace & calm.
How To Create A Hamptons Style Home
Choose Your Colour Palette
Choose a colour scheme that is inspired by nature. Combine some soft whites with warm shades of beige. Aqua tones combined with sharp cobalt blue go together beautifully. Similarly, charcoal hues contrast well with the vibrancy of coral colours.
Beach-Inspired Furniture
Bench seats, linen upholstery, hanging chairs & wicker furniture are just some pieces that you can use, in combination, to add the beach-like aeatheytice of a Hamptons home.
Give Some Furniture A New Lease Of Life
There is a trick to getting the right mix of shabby chic and modern elegance. Get hold of some old pieces of furniture and give them a second lease of life – repaint, reupholster and reuse. Combine these reimagined pieces with some contemporary furniture to create a fashionable chic living space.
Accessorise – The Devil Is In The Detail
Install beautify chandeliers, get some table lamps as well as some sconce lighting – these combined, are a great way to make a visual statement. For bathrooms you should consider subway or marble tiles, mix in some traditional style tapware and bring it all together with a neutral colour palette.
Wooden Floors & Panelled Walls
Timber flooring is the ideal choice for the Hamptons look. Dark or light timbers and white washed wood finishes work equally well. Try adding floor coverings like sisal or jute rugs, their coarser fibres will add elements of texture and contrast. For the walls use tongue and groove panelling.
Building a new home is a big step. Knowing you’ve chosen the right home builder can be difficult if you’re a first time homeowner, or it’s the first time you’re building from scratch.
In this article, we’ll guide you through how to choose a builder for your new home, what to look for and how to avoid stress when choosing a home builder.
Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner, or a first-time homeowner, building a home can be a rather daunting process. Making the most of your home building journey (and turning it into a joyful, exciting process rather than a stressful one) all lies in choosing a home builder that you’re confident is professional, will work with you on your ideas and is reliable first time, every time.
Here are some tips we can offer to simplify how to choose a builder for your new home.
Do Your Research and Familiarise Yourself with Past Work
The best place to start in your search for the perfect home builder is to do your research. This means scouring the internet to view the folios of builders whose work you like.
You may even go so far as attending a few open houses around your area and securing information that way. This is a particularly good idea if you’re stuck in the ‘inspiration’ stage or finding yourself a little overwhelmed with the choices available in your online search.
Familiarise yourself with your potential builder’s past work and find out whether they build on plan or custom home builders. Some home builders – like KIBA Built – offer clients the option to choose a home from ready made plans with off-plan upgrades, or go completely off plan.
Get References or Recommendations
Asking friends and family members who have previously been engaged in the house-building process can give you a great starting point. But it’s not the only starting point.
IA new home builder should always be willing to share references or testimonials from past clients with prospective clients.
They should be licenced under the QBCC (and if you’re looking for that extra peace of mind, choose a builder who is an aIf you find a home builder who is not willing to share their references or testimonials with you – a potential new client – it’s best to walk away. Trust and communication is key, and if you don’t have that from the beginning, it’s a bad sign.
Choose a Professional Builder
Building a house is unlike any old renovation process you might attempt. It’s not a DIY job, and it’s certainly not an undertaking for unlicenced tradespeople.
In knowing how to choose a builder for your new home, you should be confident that they are complete professionals, down to the very last detail.
They should be licenced under the QBCC (and if you’re looking for that extra peace of mind, choose a builder who is an accredited Master Builders Queensland member – like us!).
Affordability and Financial Transparency
We’re sure you’ve heard all the horror stories of home building – all those hidden fees and last-minute charges. Choose a builder you can rely on to provide you with affordable solutions, no matter how high or low your budget is.
Avoid the Stress and Choose Us
When you’re trying to decide how to choose a builder for your new home, take the guesswork and stress out of the situation and choose us! We’re one of the best home builders the industry has to offer in Queensland and would love to work with you on your next project.