Builders need to navigate a maze of government regulations, but homeowners can help
A successful building process is a predictable one, with no unpleasant surprises. Predictability comes from good planning, as well-planned projects tend to stay on budget and on schedule. Good planning includes making sure the home will meet all code and zoning requirements.
Understanding the variables that impact the schedule
Many clients approach a builder with an idea about how long it should take to finish their new home. Some underestimate the time the project will require, and others expect it to take a lot longer.
Five questions to ask for your future health and comfort
Along with great design and quality construction, most homebuyers want their new home to provide a healthy, comfortable environment and lower energy bills. They want a builder who can ensure those benefits, but many don’t know what questions to ask.
Home pricing is a complex subject. Here’s how we answer the most common question.
One question we get a lot is “What’s the per-square-foot cost of your homes?” Some potential clients come with numbers they found on the internet.
Is it better to build a new home or remodel an older one?
No one will be surprised to hear us argue that building a new home is a better choice than remodeling, just as a remodeling contractor would argue the opposite.
So, with our professional bias disclosed, here are some objective reasons why we believe buying a new home provides greater benefits than remodeling.
Some tips for getting the most from this important step
Most builders are happy to provide a list of people for whom they have recently built homes. They encourage prospective clients to call these references and ask about their experience and level of satisfaction.
Professional builders do what is needed to keep everyone out of harm’s way
There’s no getting around it: construction can be a hazardous job. We say “can be” because professional builders respect those hazards and equip and train their workers to mitigate safety issues as much as possible. By doing so, professional builders protect their businesses and their clients from liability.
When building a new home, controlling costs is the key to staying within budget
It’s safe to say no one likes cost overruns or unpleasant surprises on a project. New home construction is no exception. As a professional builder, we understand how critical it is to establish and maintain a budget that everyone can rely on from groundbreaking to the final walk-through.
The least expensive option may not be the best value.
Choosing a home builder based on the lowest cost per square foot or the lowest sales price may not provide the best value. For an investment so important to your family’s future, the least expensive option can be a risky bet.
Beware the disorganized builder
Investing in the design and construction of a new home is a daunting task—and something most people do just once or maybe twice in a lifetime. The last thing you need is a builder who doesn’t have it together.
Why does that matter? Simply put, homebuilding is an increasingly complex effort.
