Many Melbourne building companies push their supervisors to the limit, with each managing 25 or even 30 houses at a time. When they’re stretched thin like this, communication breaks down, trades fall out of sync, and quality control goes out the window.
For you, this means ongoing delays that push back your move-in date — all while you’re paying for rent and a mortgage.
It’s costly, stressful, and more common than you’d think.
Take what happened to Mark and Julie, for example.
When a Dream Home Becomes a Nightmare
After saving for years, this young couple were finally ready to build their dream home in Melbourne and grow their family.
It all sounded promising at the start, but after the first few meetings, their supervisor rarely set foot on site and the trade work was scattered at best.
Four months into the build, their house’s timber framing sat exposed to the rain and sun, with materials piled haphazardly in the yard, beginning to show signs of warping and rot. Every time Mark called the supervisor to see what was going on, all he got were vague reassurances — if the supervisor answered at all.
Meanwhile, the bills kept coming: rent, mortgage, storage fees, 100 other things.
So what went wrong? For one, their supervisor was juggling 27 other projects.
But it goes deeper than that.
The Root of the Problem Was Their Choice of Builder
Not only did they choose a builder who overloaded their supervisors — they also chose one who lacked the finely tuned processes and internal capabilities to keep everything on track.
Here are 5 things reliable builders do differently:
- Focused supervision. Reliable builders limit supervisors to managing only 10 to 15 projects at a time. This means your supervisor can visit your site often, catch issues early, and keep your build moving forward. With regular oversight, delays don’t compound, and each phase transitions smoothly into the next.
- Proven processes and turnarounds. Builders known for meeting ambitious timelines — like four-month completions for single-storey homes — have refined processes that leave no room for error. Every stage is meticulously planned, from ordering materials to coordinating trades, with strict internal deadlines that push the build forward. These builders can’t afford delays, as setbacks would impact their other projects and disrupt their overall workflow. Ultimately, this means you avoid paying extra for rent and other expenses while waiting to move into your home.
- Consistent communication and reporting. Proactive builders don’t just rely on their supervisors to stay on top of things; they set up a system of regular team meetings to keep everything on track. These meetings — held at least twice a week — help catch potential issues early and keep trades aligned. Regular updates also mean you know exactly where your project stands at all times.
- In-house manufacturing. Builders who rely on external suppliers often face delays that stall your builder’s progress for weeks. Quality builders, on the other hand, use in-house production for key components like trusses and cabinetry. This means custom trusses, for example, can be ready in two days instead of three weeks, and cabinetry adjustments can be made swiftly to keep your timeline intact.
- Rapid lock-ups. Lock-up involves getting the roof and external walls in place to protect your build from weather exposure. Quality builders prioritise this stage because it shields materials like timber from rain and sun, preventing rot or warping. This ultimately keeps the structure sound and prevents unnecessary repairs and setbacks.
The Bottom Line: Not All Builders Operate the Same Way
The ones who keep their supervisors focused, manage their own resources, and generally run a tight ship are the ones who deliver on time and within budget.