Home / Builder checklist
10 questions to ask any builder before you pay.
Free to read, print or share. Use it with us, or with anyone else.
Who designed it, and is the structure engineered?
Ask to see the architectural and structural drawings before any work starts. A building without engineered drawings is a guess.
Can I visit something they have already built?
Photos are easy to copy. Visit a finished building and, if you can, speak to the owner.
Is the land title clean?
Before you spend on building, have a lawyer check the ownership documents with the relevant land records.
Is there a written quotation with quantities and prices?
A bill of quantities lists what will be used and what it costs. "Trust me, it will be about this much" is not a quote.
Is everything in a written agreement?
Scope, price, timeline, and what happens if either side is late. If it is not written, it can be argued away.
Are payments tied to finished stages?
Paying everything upfront removes your protection. Pay as each stage is completed and checked, not before.
Does every payment get a receipt?
Keep a record of what you paid, when, and for what. Good builders make this easy.
Who is in charge on site, and how will I be updated?
Ask for a named person and a regular update with dated photos or a progress report. Silence is a warning sign.
What materials will be used?
Ask for the concrete mix, steel sizes and block specifications in writing, and keep delivery receipts.
What happens after handover?
Ask for the drawings, documents and a clear answer on who fixes defects, and for how long.