The 10 red flags
- Pressure to sign the same day, or a discount that "expires tomorrow"
- Won’t provide 3 recent customer references without hedging
- Refuses independent stage inspections
- Won’t show a fully itemised inclusions list in writing
- Provisional sums that look suspiciously low compared to competing quotes
- Vague on their site supervisor and day-to-day contact
- Google reviews with a sudden pattern change
- Builder’s licence status is anything other than "active" on the state regulator’s website
- Multiple current builds delayed beyond contract time (ask directly)
- Sales agent stays in the room during the site inspection
What to do if you see one
Any single red flag is a conversation. Two or more is a walk. This is a 10-14 month commitment - the wrong builder ruins a year of your life. There are always other builders.