You’ve made the decision to build your home. Now it’s time for all the decisions that come with the home construction process. From the overall architectural structure down to the knobs on your kitchen cabinets, and everything in between, there’s a lot to think about! Who will be with you every step of the way throughout the building process?
At GreenStone, we specialize in both fully contracted and DIY construction loans, where you have the ability to act as your own general contractor. If you’ve decided to go the fully contracted route, here are the most important questions to ask when choosing a builder.
Who do you know already?
Although you can always ask friends and family for their recommendations when selecting a builder, don’t hesitate to do more research as well. When looking into how to find home builders, ask yourself what style of homes you admire and take note of what’s being built in your area. Don’t be afraid to ask people in person, on your community message boards, and in your neighborhood who they would recommend for a builder as well. If you keep hearing the same names repeatedly, take the time to do a little research and see how they’re conducting their business. Once you do contact someone, you can always ask for references.
What style of home do you want?
If you have a particular type of home in mind such as a ranch, two story, full, partial, or walk out basement, you’re going to want to work with someone who has experience with that style of home.
After researching, you’ll find out what your builder specializes in. All builders should be comfortable with you touring homes they’ve built in the past. You can really get a feel for the house and the builder once you’re standing inside one looking at the bones of the structural support, quality of craftmanship in the trim, and special touches in the finishes being used.
How much does the builder cost?
There’s no point in getting too invested until you’re sure your budget aligns with the cost of your builder’s services. Some builders specialize in starter or first-time buyer homes, some in mid-range pricing, and some in the high-end price point. Target a builder who specializes in the same kind of project you are looking for. Plus, you should work with them on a warranty that also makes sense for you.
Is the builder properly licensed and insured?
Before selecting who you want to hire to build your home, it’s very important to make sure they are properly licensed and insured. Many reputable home builders will voluntarily provide their license and insurance information as a part of their initial consultation or proposal. However, if the builder you are considering working with does not give you this information right off the bat, don’t hesitate to ask for it.
A few examples of what to ask your potential builder to include:
• A builder’s license, to show they are legally authorized to build homes in your area.
• General liability insurance to cover any potential accidents or damage to your property that may occur on the job site during the construction process.
• Worker’s compensation or subcontractor insurance to cover medical expenses of the builder’s employees or other subcontractors if they are injured on the job site.
• Any home warranty the builder may offer to cover repairs and defects after the home is built, and the length of the warranty.
What kind of working relationship fits your needs?
Consider if you are the kind of person who wants to be on site talking things over with the builder, maybe even getting your hands dirty, or would you prefer a hands-off approach? Based on your answer, you’ll know how to proceed with the builder and if you want to fully contract out the home, act as your own general contractor, or something in between.
You are also going to want someone who you’re comfortable with, so discuss these items with your builder up front to be on the same page before the building process starts.
Overall, the right builder for you will bring your vision to life, within your budget, and deliver the quality of service you’re expecting. Choosing the right builder is a big step forward in creating and moving into the home you've always dreamed of!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your local GreenStone branch, our team would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!
