Have you made a phone call to a builder, left a message, sent an email and are still waiting for a return call??? There is nothing more frustrating than people not returning your call or messages. Whether you get a call back from a home builder says a lot about how your experience with them will be. Your time is valuable, and you would be more likely to have a smooth home building experience with someone who responds promptly to your enquiry. Remember, you should never engage a builder who does not return your calls.
An effective communicator is one who efficiently returns phone call, messages and emails and this is the least that you would expect from a builder. Unfortunately some builders have given the industry a poor reputation purely because of their poor communication skills. Calling someone back is not hard to do and by the way it is just good manners! It is crucial to remember that you should never engage a builder who does not return your calls.
You would assume if the builder that you are still waiting for a return call from is a poor communicator with potential clients, then they are probably not good at communicating with their contractors and staff on the building site. This can result in a disorganised job site and make the experience of building a new home not so enjoyable for the clients. Poor communication can lead to delays, mistakes and turn what is meant to be a stress- free and enjoyable experience into an absolute nightmare. Therefore, always remember: never engage a builder who does not return your calls.
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One of the biggest reasons why builders do not get back to you is that they are operating blind, with no systems or organisational structures in place. Professional builders who take the time to run a tight business with organisational systems in place are much more likely to do a good job building your home. It’s not that hard to make a note to call someone back or to structure part of the working week to devote to writing quotes and discussing upcoming jobs with potential new clients. These are signs of an organised builder and one that you should look for to build your new home.
So how can you ensure that your building experience is not a nightmare? Best to look for a builder who has proven communication systems in place. Systems that allow the client to keep well informed at all times. A system that allows you to keep track of every discussion, selection, variation and cost.
So what might happen if you choose a builder who is a poor communicator? There are a number of things that may arise if you choose a builder who does not communicate effectively.
A stressful and unenjoyable building experience
Building a home is one of the biggest investments that you will make, both financially and emotionally. You deserve to be kept informed right throughout the building process. When you are kept informed of what is happening, then you feel more comfortable and are able to sit back, relax and enjoy the experience. Choose a builder who is a poor communicator then expect to be kept in the dark with what is happening on your home and be prepared to not hear from your builder for extended periods of time.
Disappointment with the outcome
During the building process a professional builder will acknowledge that there may be client initiated changes along the way. These variation requests and changes need to be communicated to the relevant tradespeople to ensure they are completed as you envisaged. A builder who communicates effectively will have systems in place to ensure that these changes are recorded, approved and communicated effectively to ensure that misunderstandings are not made. Communication systems ensure that conversations are tracked and recorded to ensure nothing is ever missed and that your home is completed on time.
Spending over budget
Effective systems of communication enable clients to keep track of their budget throughout the entire build. You do not want a surprise on the final invoice, something that disorganised builders are renowned for. By engaging a builder who uses an online project management system you are able to view all costs along the way, minimising any surprises or budget blowouts — hear what our clients say!
Backed by our partnerships with the Association of Professional Builders and the Housing Industry Association, we deliver best-practice guidance and quality at every step—this is why homeowners trust us to bring their dream home to life with confidence — see how we build custom homes.
Learn more about Toby and Elizabeth’s story. Highwater Homes are proud APB and HIA members.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my builder is not returning my calls?
If it happens before you sign, treat it as a warning and look elsewhere, because slow replies while quoting usually continue during the build. If you are already building, put your questions in writing and ask who your point of contact is and when you will hear back. Look for a builder with a system that records every discussion and cost.
How quickly should a builder return calls and emails?
Within 24 hours is a good standard to expect. At Highwater Homes we return calls, messages and emails within 24 hours. A builder who will not commit to a reply time is showing you how they will communicate later. Our guide on choosing a reliable builder covers how to judge this before you sign.
Why do some builders not get back to you?
The most common reason is that there are no systems or organisation behind the business, so calls and quotes get lost. An organised builder notes callbacks and sets aside time for quotes. Poor communication with enquiries often points to a disorganised job site and costly mistakes later.
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