Introduction:
Beginning a home construction venture is full of possibilities, but by working with competent professionals, you can make sure that your vision is brought to life. The expertise and honesty of the contractor you hire are vital and were, in fact, central to the first home builds in America. It was a time when the architect and builder often were one and the same, said Ted Sheridan, an architect and partner with Morgante Wilson Architects in Elmhurst, Illinois. Reynolds is a fan of those olden days too. “Back in that era, a lack of technology forced builders and architects to rely on those personal relationships,” he said. “If trust wasn’t an issue, a home was put up by essentially the same core group from the moment they laid the first brick or timbers to when they added the final touch.”
1. Begin with Research:
- Referrals and Recommendations: One of the best ways to start researching potential home builders is by seeking recommendations from friends, partners, or colleagues who have recently built their own homes. These direct accounts of such an intense, yet delightful process are very telling and can provide you with valuable leads to follow up on.
- Online Directories: Websites such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) (www.nahb.org) are excellent considering they host databases that can put you in contact with residential contractors across the United States who adhere to set industry standards.
- Local Resources: Try your local home builders association or chamber of commerce to inquire about quality home builders with a strong presence in the community. They hold functions and events throughout the year, fostering relationships among members and the construction industry at large. (adapted from homeowner.uexpress.com)
2. Check that the builder is licensed, bonded, and insured with the state.
- Ask to see these credentials. How long has the builder been in business, and what are some of the builder’s biggest projects? Pick a few of these, and go look at them if you can. When you find a builder whose work displays the style and quality you’re looking for, and who can cite awards that show they’ve achieved the standard you’d like in the finished product, you’ve found a great prospect for building your home.
3. What Should You Do?
So, what should you do once you have decided to build a new home, especially if you have never built one before? The first thing you should realize is that building a new home is not a minor project; it is a major undertaking that requires careful planning, the establishment of a quality team, and oversight during construction. And, of course, building a new home means spending a lot of money. So, here are a few tips to help you ensure the success of your new home-building project:
4. Ensure a Smooth Experience:
- There’s something magical that happens when you can ask the right questions and get the right answers. It makes for a harmonious relationship with your builder. Here are a few vitally important queries to make:
- How often will the builder keep me in the loop about the building progress?
- In today’s world, you can pretty much communicate in any way you want: text message, email, phone call, in-person meetings. But you really need to get a feel for how often—and in what format—your builder will communicate.
5. Trust Your Instincts:
Number five: trust your instincts. Watch their professionalism, see their responsiveness and work in the present on your project. What about their traits, compatibility, and “buy-in” with you as a leader in your home matters? Gut feelings, say the pros in our roundtable. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it with them. You can feel your way right out of that office or model home, and then—breathing heavily—say, “Next!”.
Conclusion:
It is crucial to hire a trustworthy builder for your construction project. You can do this by doing plenty of comprehensive research, checking that their credentials are solid, and then getting not just one but several construction bids (these are similar to job proposals). Keep in mind that your builder will be your go-to person for the entire project, so having a good working relationship with them is important. They should also be willing to answer any questions you have, especially those that relate to money and schedule.
Note: Find construction information and good home building companies like Grit Build at https://gritbuild.net/
