The most important decision you will make as you plan your project is choosing the right builder.
The idea of building or renovating a new home, or even adding an addition to our existing home, is a dream for so many of us. When we get the opportunity to make that dream a reality, it can be an overwhelming and daunting task. Choosing the right builder can simplify and streamline the process significantly, providing you with valuable peace of mind.
But, where to start?
The most important decision you will make on the road to completing your home project is choosing the right builder. Choose wisely and you will have a true partner; a trusted professional who will bring your dream project to life, providing the space that your family will enjoy for a lifetime. Settle for someone who may not be a good fit and you may encounter a variety of issues and complications that impact the quality of the build as well as the cost – a decision you may regret for years to come.
Here are five tips to consider before choosing a builder:
Quality first
Most big home projects are not typically temporary or short-term decisions – they’re biggies! For most of us, any home improvements are some of the biggest and most expensive decisions in our lives. This is the home where you and your family will live for many years to come. It’s where your children will laugh, learn, and play. This is where you’ll entertain family and friends during holidays, birthdays and Saturday afternoons. Endless memories will be created in this home.
The last thing you want to worry about is shoddy workmanship that results in costly repairs down the road, especially those that are vital structural systems that may be difficult and expensive to fix or upgrade later.
A first priority when selecting your builder should be the quality of their work. Be sure to review past projects, check references, and question the builder about how he or she works, and the materials they use, including the structural components and materials that may not be visible.
Key to the longevity of any home is quality materials and workmanship. Your builder ought to be choosing high-quality products from the windows to the countertops through to the framing. From the ground up, the builder you choose should consider the quality of materials and handiwork priority number one.
Ask questions
There’s no question if this is your first kick at the home building or renovation can, knowing what you should know can be quite daunting. It can be hard to act confidently in an arena you may have very little knowledge or experience. But, given the investment – money and time – involved, it’s important to put aside your feelings of incompetence and ask questions… even those you think might seem uneducated, or “dumb”.
A quality builder is not only happily answer even your most ridiculous questions but will encourage you to ask them as well.
Do your research
The Internet is a wonderful thing! It’s never been easier to approach the overwhelming task of choosing the right builder. Narrow the search by zeroing in on your specific region or location. Browse builder portfolios and projects and explore for reviews. Google is obvious, but there are also design websites such as Houzz where builders provide project information and galleries to help flesh out their online professional profiles.
Of course, word-of-mouth is one of your most reliable ways to refine your list of prospective builders. Consult with those neighbours, friends, and family who have recently made improvements to their home, create a list of potential builders, and conduct thorough interviews.
Look for transparency
Your best builders will be happy to answer your questions right off the bat. They’ll also provide you a timeline and thorough estimate and will happily share their building philosophy, the way they work, and the products they use. A good, reliable, trustworthy builder will also share information about their sub-contractors, so you know who will be working on your house.
A builder that has trouble answering these questions clearly should raise a bit of a red flag – keep searching!
Make sure you’re on the same page – communication in sync
You will be working for many months with your builder and their team so it’s very important that you know before you hire them that it will be a good fit. You want to connect.
Your ideal team will be open and receptive to your ideas, goals, and vision as they are their own. Your builder should take the time to understand your lifestyle and provide the options, products, materials, design, that is the best fit. Finding common ground, connecting, with regards to your wants and needs early on in the process will help avoid complications, headaches, and potential added costs down the road.
If a prospective builder isn’t receptive or slow to respond to your communication, consider it a sign that may experience frustrations with communications as the project proceeds. You want a builder who responds promptly and, really, makes you feel like their only customer.
Ultimately, the goal is a high-quality, comfortable home that has been crafted to meet you and your family’s needs. You can trust that there will be challenges and roadblocks along the way, it’s inevitable in the process of building any home. Hiring the right builder for you, however, helps to make the road as smooth, and conflicts as few, as possible.
Are you looking for a great builder? We would love to talk to you! Contact us TODAY!
