Building & Construction Services

The excitement of building your dream home or adding something new to your property can sometimes get in the way of the practical side of things. Luckily, construction services can take care of the practical jobs so you can spend more time on the fun stuff.

Read on for a lowdown on construction services, including what they can do for you and how much it might cost.

What is a construction service?

Construction services cover the whole spectrum of jobs that occur during the building process. This can include everything from the initial design phase, right through to the project's completion. Jobs such as architects, builders, engineers and surveyors all come under the umbrella of construction services.

Building contractors are individuals or companies that manage and oversee all, or part of, the building process after the designs have been finalised. You can employ one building contractor to manage the project from start to finish, or employee individual specialists depending on the nature of the job and your specific needs.

What does a construction professional do?

A construction professional can help you to materialise your building project from start to finish. When it comes to your home, these are some of the most common construction services on the market:

Building a new home

If you're planning on building your dream home, construction services can help you right from the very offset. Services include design, demolition, ordering materials, working with building contractors and completing the project.

Renovating your home

For those times when your home needs a little refresh, construction services can give you a helping hand. Renovation services include everything from building an extension to redesigning your kitchen or bathroom.

Creating garden structures

Sheds, pools, pergolas and outhouses are all projects that constructions services can help you with. They'll see you through the whole process from choosing the design to putting up the last shelf.

Building driveways

Whether you need to relay or repair your driveway, or you need one installed altogether, it can be made easier with the help of construction services. Building contractors can advise you on the best layout and materials for your home before levelling, laying and sealing your driveway.

How do I hire a construction professional?

One of the best ways to hire a construction professional or building contractor is by asking your friends and family to put you in touch with a recommendation. Additionally, the Internet makes it easy to find local businesses in your area either by doing a Google search or by using an online marketplace like Airtasker.

How much does a construction service cost?

The cost varies so much that it's hard to give a figure. Construction services tend to charge differently depending on the job. While some builders will charge a fixed rate per square meter, others will charge an hourly rate for themselves and the building contractors they employ.

Other than paying for people's time, remember to take into consideration factors like the cost of materials, planning permission and surveys that might need to be taken for larger projects such as new builds.

It's also worth bearing in mind that most builders will ask for a deposit to be paid upfront, and may set milestones to be paid along the way. Details of this, along with other terms and conditions, should be clearly outlined in a contract.

How do I compare construction services?

Construction projects are not something to be taken lightly. They require a certain set of skills and expertise to be executed correctly.

To find the right building contractor for your project, it's a good idea to do plenty of research online. Look for ratings and credible reviews on marketplaces such as Oneflare, Hipages or Airtasker.

Take some time to compare quotes from a range of different companies in your area, before settling on a service that meets your requirements.

What to consider when hiring construction professionals?

• Make sure the builder is registered and licensed to carry out the job.
• Check that the company holds the correct worker's insurance for its employees.
• Ask to see a portfolio of their previous work and customer testimonials.
• Read your contract slowly and consider each clause carefully.
• Get a quote from each of the different companies.

How should I prepare for a construction service?

The best way to prepare for your construction service is to know exactly what you want to achieve from the project. Having a clear idea in your head of what the final product should look like will allow you to convey the image to your building contractor successfully.

Do I need to be at home for a construction service?

Before you start your project, you'll need to set aside time to meet with your lead builder or project manager to discuss the ins and outs of the project. When the work actually begins, you don't need to be there all of the time, but it's always important to check in now and again to make sure that everything is on the right track.

Pros and cons of construction services

Pros

• Can be used for projects of any size.
• Highly skilled building contractors can advise what's best for you.
• Saves you the time of doing it yourself.
• You don't have to get involved in the hard labour side of things.

Cons

• Likely to be more expensive than doing it yourself.
• It can be hard work to find a building contractor that can bring your own vision to life.

Frequently asked questions about construction service

Do building contractors bring their own equipment?

Yes. Most building contractors will bring their own equipment with them to complete the job.

Are there any risks to consider when booking a construction service?

In construction, there is always a possibility that things can go wrong, such as long delays and personal accidents.

There are ways to mitigate these risks, for example:

• Ensure that the contracting service you hire meets all of the licensing and safety requirements.
• Relay your project's vision clearly from the beginning, and throughout the project.
• Include relevant clauses in the contract for things that could go wrong.