Why use a building broker?
Brokers are a relatively new addition to the building industry. Just like mortgage brokers, insurance brokers or stockbrokers, they’re experts in their field who use 2 their experience and know-how to help clients get the best possible product at the most competitive price.
The old way
Traditionally, if you want to build a house or a unit development, you approach a builder directly. That builder’s sales rep will show you a limited number of plans, get your chosen plan approved by the council, and then add your project to the dozens already awaiting construction. If you’ve ever dealt with a large building company, you’ll know this can be a very long and drawn out process. It’s also very impersonal as you’re just another job in an overcrowded and bureaucratic system. So you’re now locked into one builder, you can’t have your plans competitively quoted (because your builder owns the copyright) and you patiently wait your turn in the queue wondering if you’ve got a fair price for the job. And the time you have to wait is also costing you money. Alternatively, you employ the services of an architect or designer to design your new home; and then have to find a suitable builder yourself.
The new way
A building broker – like RCI – gives you many more options. In-house design services mean you can have your project custom-designed to meet your exact requirements; fit your block perfectly; and match your lifestyle. You – and not the builder - own the copyright on the final design. The broker arranges for all the necessary approvals, and then chooses a selection of builders who are suitable for the project. The plans, materials specifications and engineer’s structural drawings are then shown to these selected builders who tender for the construction of your project. You and the broker then choose the best builder for your project based on experience, the time it takes them to get to site, the construction timetable and, of course, price. It’s a very flexible system that gives you exactly the design you want - and assistance at every step of the process. And you’re guaranteed the best-possible price, everytime.
A broker will save you time and money
A big building company’s sales reps are paid a commission for every new home or unit development they sell. This cost is, of course, paid by you in the total price of the project. But you’re also paying for the company’s offices, staff, advertising, car fleet and other overheads. Employing a broker not only removes many of these hidden costs, it also means your plans are competitively quoted by several builders. RCI regularly works with over 40 small, but reliable and trusted, builders. (We’ve selected these from a competitive review of over 300.) On the construction of an average home, tenders will vary by up to 15 per cent. So on a $500,000 home, that’s a potential saving of $75,000. In some cases, we have saved our clients over $100,000. Our Fast-Track Administration System will also save you time. Only builders who are ready to start work are asked to tender. And, once your plans are approved, construction work starts right away. So you don’t see the delays sometimes associated with big building companies; nor do you see any price increases while you’re waiting.
