Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a home builder. Remember that you are hiring them to build YOUR investment which is not a decision to be taken lightly.
Try to find a custom, personal, more intimate builder that doesn’t build 100 plus cookie-cutter houses a year. A personal builder does not mean less experience. Often times, it means more experience in that the actual builder will be on your site checking the subs’ work instead of a “hired hand” to do it for him. He will not be caught up checking on dozens of other homes but rather he will focus time and energy on YOUR home. Customer service, communication, and the execution will be far superior to other builders.
In addition, a custom, personal builder will spot problems on your house before it’s too late. Through this, your builder will save you money and future nightmares that could have occurred if not caught on time. A personal builder won’t have so much going on that they are unable give you and your home the attention it needs. Because you are working directly with the builder, you will be able to build trust by knowing if he’s caring, genuine, and knowledgeable in this field of industry.
Is EVERYTHING you want an “upgrade”? Be very leery about this in a builder. This is a way that builders put YOUR money into THEIR pocket. Good news is that there are a few builders out there that DON’T charge for ANY upgrades! These are usually the “custom home” type, more personal and intimate builders. These are the kind that DON’T have a select few options for cabinets, tile/carpet and others choices. What you want is to find a builder that has unlimited resources and options for you to choose from.
You may ask “yeah, that’s great, but do they charge an arm and a leg to build it?” The answer is, NO! Look for a builder that will help you get what you want and stay within, or better yet, BELOW your budget. A good builder will assess what it is that you want in your house. Next, your builder will compare it with your budget and meet with you to decide what is important and what can realistically be done within your budget. It is this process that insures that you don’t break the bank. It is also important to want a builder that will be on your side in order to get you the MOST house for your money.
So, when shopping for a builder for your new home, keep these points in mind and most importantly, take your time, it is your investment and your future.
