How to choose a builder

As mentioned earlier in this blog, the whole purpose of Viktoria making the lightning round-trip to Tasmania last week was to meet with, and hopefully choose, a builder. Neal-the-architect recommended that we get a builder involved in the project earlier on, due to the remote location and type of build.
As neither Viktoria nor the Android knew of any builders in Tasmania, Neal had short-listed three builders who were happy (or crazy enough) to agree to building on our site. This was a hugely wonderful thing for him to do, as a lot of the due diligence had already been carried out by the time Viktoria sat down with them. Again, we are running out of words to express our gratitude for all Neal has done.
Viktoria and the Android researched the three builders as much as possible from three States and a large stretch of water away, and decided that, much like choosing an architect, choosing a builder largely came down to who Viktoria thought she could get along with. And, as it would most likely be Viktoria and not the Android that the builder would be dealing with, it would also need to be the person that Viktoria thought would best be able to get along with her.

TIP: After researching previous projects & company history, choosing a builder is much like choosing an architect - it comes down to who you think you will be able to get along with when things go wrong.

Neal arranged for Viktoria and the builders to attend the JAWSarchitects offices in Battery Point. Donning his best "impartial mediator" guise, Neal would attend while Viktoria attempted to channel the universe to provide her with insight enough to make the correct decision.
Over two days, Viktoria met the builders, made lots of notes, and kept the Android updated. However, we knew it wasn't going to be a quick process, and we would have to sit down together before a decision was made. The process was drawn out because the Android had band rehearsals, Viktoria had to visit relatives, and both of us had to work.
Eventually, after many cups of tea and disjointed discussion, we picked Michael Lane from Cordwell Lane Building Pty Ltd, because:

• they had done a lot of block work before
• they had their own joiners
• they had their own glaziers
• they had worked on remote sites before

Viktoria also liked that Michael started thinking about how a revolving bookcase-secret doorway could be built, and didn't just make clever remarks about it.
So Corwell Lane Building it is. We have put together some pics of a few of their previous builds for you...

Cargo Bar; Paul Kelly Interior Design; Cordwell Lane Building

Basement; Preston Lane Architects; Cordwell Lane Building

Mt Pleasant addition; Cordwell Lane Building

Shearers' Quarters; John Wardle Architects; Cordwell Lane Building

The next things we need to do are:

• the Android needs to sort out getting the electricity connected to the site
• Viktoria will arrange for the geotec who did the initial soil tests to contact Neal to organise for some further testing on the final site
• we will collate our feedback on the second round of sketch designs for Neal (we will put these in the next post)
• Neal will arrange for the structural engineer to provide us with an idea of timing and costing for creating a rough driveway to the site

And that is where we are currently up to. When we have gathered our collective thoughts together, we will let you know how the house design is progressing and will post the latest sketch designs.