Choosing the Right Builder

When choosing a builder who is right for you, don't be afraid to research and ask lots of questions and most importantly speak with their recent customers. Testimonials are a great way to gain an honest insight into another’s building experience... and always remember to look for value over the cheapest price!

Top 10 Questions to assist with home builder decision making:


  • Local?

    Be sure to always choose Local, you want a local company that is here to stay, 12 months after your build or 5 years after your build if something goes wrong you want to ensure you chose a local building company who will be here for the distance.

  • Insurance?

    All builders conducting work over a certain amount must be licensed, ensure to check and ask what insurances are in place. Vanguard Homes holds current insurances required to carried out New home building including Construction insurance and MBA Fidelity Insurance cover – a copy of our insurances are also provided to clients upon issue of Building Permit approvals or available to view upon request.

  • Projects?

    There is no better way to ensure that a company is capable of carrying out high quality work than simply taking a look at their past projects, testimonials, references or simply visiting sites in person. Drive around the estate you are looking to build in, or larger developments being carried out, and check who others are building with.


    Should you wish to view any of Vanguard Homes current builds currently being constructed please don’t hesitate to speak with our consultant who is more than happy to show you.

  • Licensed Foreman?

    Find out who will be supervising the construction, do they hold a builder’s license? As the supervisor is responsible for completing the project you will want to ensure to have met them. You would be pleased to know at Vanguard Homes the foreman is the owner and licensed builder, who oversees each and every individual build.

  • Display Home Wows?

    The point of a display home is to showcase the home at its absolute best – be sure not to let confusion take over on what you may actually be getting when choosing a design home for yourself. Vanguard Homes understands that when looking through many display homes it is easy to get confused on what is standard, what is extra, is this included, how much more will this cost?


    We have simplified this process for our potential clients by ALWAYS showcasing exactly what you see is what you get weather you are looking at a $500,000 design or $300,000 the standard finish you see in our display home is our “standard” that you receive to your home NO hidden costs NO upgrades needed Everything included.

  • Type of Warranty Offered?

    Vanguard Homes prides themselves on the quality of our workman ship and offer all builds a guaranteed 12 months maintenance warranty period.

  • Timeframe?

    Before signing a contract, always make sure the builder can provide a definite time frame indicating commencement and completion dates.


    Vanguard Homes ensures when entering into a building contract that everything is detailed into our standard Housing Industry Association build contracts, including specific commencement and completion dates.

  • Experience?

    Find out how many years the home builder has been building in Darwin, NT for, how long they have been in business for?


    Whether they have a proven track record and that they are members of the relevant home builder associations. Some insight into Vanguard Homes; commencing the business in 2008 owner of Vanguard Homes has been in the construction industry since leaving high school. Husband and wife team both grew up and went to primary and high schools in Darwin. Respected members of both (HIA) & (MBA) Associations along with Contractor Accreditation (CAL).

  • Industries?

    Another factor to consider is a builder’s relationship with their trades and suppliers This will show builders management skills and how they manage relationships in delivering the right solutions for their clients, working regularly with the same external contractors and suppliers can result in fixed pricing, this can turn and result in reduced building costs for you the client. Vanguard Homes is known for their loyalty, you only need to speak within the industry to see how hard it is to become part of the Vanguard team. Vanguard Homes has been using the same individual contractors since the beginning and prides themselves on this trait – this is quite hard to come by a business this loyal, especially is tougher markets when it may seem easier to switch contractors based on bottom price alone, Vanguard Homes has been loyal to our contractors for many years – if it’s not broken don’t change it.

  • Recommendations?

    Without a doubt, when choosing a home builder word of mouth recommendations can be a high source of feedback regarding their experience.

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