Choosing the right Invercargill builders for your renovation project

Whether they were trying to pull a fast one or they were simply inexperienced, 99% of renovation horror stories are the result of incompetent contractors. And while we don’t want to let a few bad apples scare you off, the reality is you need to know who you’re working with!

We’ve come up with a few tips to help guide your conversations with potential renovation contractors and help you know what to look for during the interview process. 

Verify their qualifications 

As of March 1, 2012, most home renovations in Invercargill must be executed by a Licensed Building Practitioner. If you're managing your own renovation project, the responsibility falls on you to make sure that everyone on your team is competent and licensed to take on the work.

Any experienced and qualified builder will be able to provide you with their registration/licence card. Cross-check that against the appropriate register to ensure their documentation is in good standing and there aren’t any disciplinary actions in effect. Learn more about Licensed Building Practitioners in Invercargill by visiting the council’s website.

Beyond their professional accreditations, it’s essential to cover all your bases and discuss their insurance coverage and what kind of warranties or guarantees they offer for their work. 

Discuss your home renovation project

Scheduling can be a huge obstacle to overcome when trying to find the right builders. Teams are often booked out months in advance, and challenges can arise if there are any delays. Being in a rush to get your renovation started may limit your options. Maintaining a flexible timeline gives you more freedom to work with your chosen Invercargill builders, not just with who’s available. 

Take the time to get to know your potential renovation team personally too! You’ll be spending a lot of time with them over the course of your project – weeks, months, or even years if you have multiple areas of your home you want to upgrade! Make sure you get along well, that your communication styles are cohesive, and that the home improvement contractors you’ve chosen have the right experience for the job. 

Learn about their home renovation process

Any renovation contractors you meet with will have their own unique approach, each differing from the next, even if only slightly. Take your time to learn about their processes and what’s included. Some may be specialists and have a niche offering; others will be more all-inclusive, including services like project management and concept design development. What’s important to some may not be to others, so ultimately, it depends on your renovation goals and specific project. 

At Refresh, our comprehensive approach to renovations includes five distinct stages, each of which were designed to improve and streamline your experience. You can learn more about our unique process here. 

Prioritise your due diligence

Building trust with your renovation company is essential, but don’t take their word for it in the beginning! Seek out reviews, ask for referrals, and do your fair share of research before agreeing to anything. If your builder can’t provide any references, that may be a red flag. 

We won’t even make you ask! Here are a few examples of what the team at Refresh Invercargill has been up to lately:

• An Open-Plan Kitchen and Lounge Revamp in Invercargill
• A Contemporary Bathroom Makeover in Winton, Invercargill
• Improving the functionality and style of a 1960s home in Invercargill
• Bathroom revival in Windsor, Invercargill

Renovating with Refresh

We recognise how big of an undertaking finding the right contractors can be! It’s overwhelming and you haven’t even started the renovation yet. Working with Refresh, you won’t have to worry about any of that. 

Our approach to renovations is comprehensive. A designated Renovation Consultant will guide you through the entire process from start to finish– including coordinating a skilled team of contractors and specialists to bring your vision to life!

Feeling overwhelmed about how to find the right contractors?

We’re here to help! Get in touch with the team at Refresh Invercargill to arrange an initial consultation, and we’ll show you exactly how easy the process can be!