Choosing
a Builder
There are many qualities to look
for in a "good builder.” You will want someone who can
create a comprehensive bid on paper, manage a team of
artisans and subcontractors, manage a budget, and
someone who is committed to communication and customer
satisfaction.
Equally important, a builder must have: the ability to
listen, to be a partner with you in solving problems
along the way, and to be honest and fair. Here are
some paths you can follow to help you select the
builder that is right for you:
ASK FOR REFERENCES AND CHECK THEM OUT.
Thoroughly investigate at least 3-4 references for
each builder you consider. The references should be
people for whom the builder has completed a
construction project.
Just phoning and asking a few questions is not always
enough. Visiting the homes of the references, may help
tremendously so you can experience their quality.
Remember that the homeowner (not the builder) very
likely chosen the colors, room size, and cabinets – so
limit your opinion of the construction to the actual
building and not to the furniture or cabinetry color.
Spend time either in person or on the telephone with
the references to discuss the builder's honesty,
patience, ability to listen and problem-solving
capability. Be sure to do this when the builder is not
there, as his/her presence may inhibit the homeowners
from giving you the frank and candid answers you need.
Specific questions you should pose to references
include:
-
Did the project run smoothly? If
not, what went wrong?
-
Did the job finish on schedule? If
not, what held it up?
-
Were the cost estimates accurate?
If they went over, where and why?
-
Was the builder helpful in solving
budget or layout problems?
-
Did he/she make helpful
suggestions or bring up ideas you had not thought of?
Were the builder’s explanations clear and logical?
-
Was the builder frequently present
on the job?
-
Have you had any major problems
with the house during the time you've been occupying
it? If there has been a problem, was the builder
efficient in answering your calls and following up
with you?
CHECK CREDENTIALS. Ask your
prospective builders if they belong to the National
Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or any other
national or local building organization. Then you can
check with that organization to see if the builder is
a member in good standing. Keep in mind that there are
many good builders who choose not to affiliate
themselves with any industry association. Your
decision on which builder to select should not be
based on this type of credential alone.
LOOK FOR A BUILDER WHO CONSTRUCTS THE TYPE AND SIZE
OF HOUSE YOU WANT BUILT. Builders often have areas
of expertise. If you plan to build a cottage from
stock plans for $150,000. don't talk to a custom
builder who designs high-end $600,000 homes.
SELECT A BUILDER WITH EXPERIENCE. It's hard to
stay in the construction business a long time, and it
would be difficult for a charlatan to do. There's
nothing wrong with new builders in the field, but let
somebody else hire the new ones. This may be your
once-in-a-lifetime chance to build your own home.
Choose someone with proven experience.
ASK THE BUILDER HOW OFTEN HE OR SHE WILL BE ON THE
JOB SITE. In addition, verify the answer with
their references. You deserve and are paying for the
builder's time and attention. Ideally, your builder
should be on your job site every day. In some cases,
two or three times a week is acceptable. If the
builder's daily presence is important to you, one
expert suggests selecting a builder with a small
company (fewer than 20 employees) who can be on the
job all the time because your project will be a major
one for them.
I always
prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so
much trouble.
~Rudyard Kipling
