 A friend of mine is moving here from Missouri. He asked what I’m sure he believed was an easy question: Which local homebuilders would I recommend? After telling him I had a couple I would not consider, I realized how difficult the question actually is.
The question is difficult not because I don’t have any to recommend; I do. It’s hard because there are many factors to consider. Although reputation is at the top of the list, finding the "right" homebuilder is much more than that.
Selecting someone to build the most expensive item you will ever own should not be taken lightly. And while budget is nearly always at the top of any list of criteria, builders need lots of information before they can quote you a price. In fact, builders say they prefer to talk to the customer before the site is selected and certainly before the home is designed and specifications are written.
"No builder can quote an accurate price for a custom or semi-custom home until he or she knows the type, style, finishes, and features of the home, the site conditions and the type of contract you want to use for construction," writes Tom Stephani for homebuilder.com.
Stephani suggests that you do not focus on cost. Instead, he recommends you make your decision based on the builder’s experience, reputation, professionalism, warranty coverage, and experience.
Here are some things to consider when selecting a homebuilder:
1. Reputation. Ask to see a client list. Call some of them. If it’s a short list, ask why. You want someone who has been around. Ask previous customers if they would use that builder again. If not, find out why.
2. Local familiarity. Select a builder familiar with the area. If this is the builder’s first job in town, be wary. Building codes vary. Subcontracting practices vary. This isn’t a deciding factor, however, as I know a builder who moved here three years ago. He built one home the first year and has been quite successful ever since.
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3. Home type. It’s a good idea to use a builder who has built the kind of home you want. If all the builder’s previous homes were glass, you might not want them to build your log home.
4. Compatibility. If you don’t hit it off when you meet the builder, keep looking. The situation won’t get better when tough decisions have to be made during construction. The value of a good bedside manner extends beyond the medical profession.
5. Warranty. Ask to see a copy of the written warranty the builder offers. If there is none, or if the builder "will have to get it later," be wary.
6. Bank account. While you can’t audit the builder’s finances, you certainly can get a feel for whether or not they are making money. Does the builder have an office? Does someone answer the telephone when you call? Are the signs on the truck of the magnetic, removable variety?
7. Staying power. A warranty on your new home won’t do you much good if the builder goes out of business before the warranty expires. You need to be convinced the builder is going to be around at least through the warranty period. Who is more likely to be in a good position to hire the best subcontractors and suppliers – someone who has been building in your community for many years or someone who just arrived in town?
8. Quality. You can spend a fortune and still get a poor quality home. Good quality means appropriate products and materials are installed with superior workmanship. Visit one of the builder’s homes under construction. If a subcontractor has all new tools and is studying a Sunset do-it-yourself book from Lowe’s, you might want to keep looking. An inexpensive window may work just as well as an expensive one, but any window installed improperly is a poor window.
My friend from Missouri is having a home built. I will soon know if I have another builder to add or delete from my recommended list. No, it’s not available for public viewing. |
