Property development is just like any other industry – that is, there are those who just talk, and those who can actually deliver. Backing the wrong horse can have serious repercussions down the line, so if you’re looking to buy property, it’s important to partner with a developer you can trust to do the best job possible.

But how do you tell the experts from the incompetents? Luckily, there are a few easy steps you can take to research property developers to make sure you’re making the right call.

Check out track records

You can find out a lot about a property developer by simply visiting their website. These tend to show how many properties they’ve built, how long they’ve been operating and what kind of properties they have experience in.

Look for a portfolio of finished properties and see if you can find testimonials – all of which help generate an overall idea of the developer’s capabilities and the types of properties they specialise in (you’re less likely to choose a developer if they’ve had little experience in the type of property you’re looking to buy).

A great example of this is the Williams Corporation website, which provides a lot of detail to help property buyers decide if they’re the right fit.

Transparency builds trust

Talk to property developers before you commit. Ask questions – lots of them. More experienced, trustworthy businesses will be happy to accommodate your queries. How confident you feel after these exchanges help give you an impression of who’s trustworthy and who isn’t.

Read reviews

There’s nothing quite as telling as customer reviews. People only tend to leave comments if they’ve had excellent or awful experiences, so a quick Google should give you a decent idea of a property developer’s service and commitment to quality.

Consider company growth

It also pays to take business trajectory into account. Look at how long a property developer has been operating and at how much they’ve expanded. This can give you a good idea of the overall success of the company, which is indicative of competency and dependability. It also implies consistent quality and industry expertise.

If the property developer you’re looking into is relatively new, check out the work in their pipeline to see whether they’re in high demand.

Buying property is a big commitment, so you can never do too much research into developers. However, if they have a proven track record, are responsive and transparent, and there are loads of positive reviews about them online – chances are, you can’t go wrong.

Find out more about Williams Corporation developments here.