Buying a new cabin is exciting!
But… Do you really know much about the manufacturer you are buying from? Most people don’t purchase multiple cabins in their lifetime, it’s usually a once off purchase, maybe twice if you’re lucky. So, what are some thing to look for when shopping around for the right manufacturer?
- Only buy from a registered company- you want to ensure you are doing business with a functioning business. Engaging ‘backyard cowboys’ can be risky because if you need support, repairs or to claim on a warranty in the future, they may not be around.
- Ensure your builder is building in accordance with the Australian Building Standards and meeting the requirements for the area your cabin is going to be located. An experienced and trusted builder will guide you through fire safety standards, cyclone area requirements and more.
- Ensure you see your engineered plans and get these signed off by your council, park, or lifestyle village as required. You should keep a copy of these plans and ensure your cabin is fitted with a compliance plate for your future reference any to meet many council guidelines.
- Obtain a clear outline of what is included in the build. Are you only paying for the build to be completed to lock-up phase, or are you paying for everything to be completed?
- Confirm your pricing and gain clarity on whether it is ‘ex-yard’ (from the front gate of the builders yard) or transported and installed to site. The difference between these two prices could be thousands.
- Ensure your footings are placed in accordance to the builders guidelines and that your cabin is tied down in accordance with the engineers recommendations.
- Confirm with your builder if the price you have agreed on includes plumbing, gas and electrical connections. Again, this costs money and will continue to increase your costs if you are not clear on this with your builder.
- Ensure they offer a warranty and some after purchase customer service. You want to have a good experience, and that starts from the word go and continues for years after the deal has been done.
So, where do you find someone you can trust? On the Cabin Connect Industry Directory. Our team vet and review all builders who wish to join our trusted network and only those that pass are classified as trusted manufacturers whom the Cabin Connect Team would refer to. If the builder you are using isn’t on the platform, we’re sorry to say, we wont be recommending them.
It’s important to get the process of buying a cabin right. Cabins are a big investment and for many, it’s either their home or home away from home. You should love your new cabin and you should enjoy the building and design process.
If anything we mentioned above sparked and interest of you wish to discuss further, please get in contact with our team.
