Getting a home builder is a complex matter. In fact, the choice of a person or a team to help you conduct these works will make all the difference in the world. It will determine whether the home is built in time, whether it’s built the way you wanted it to. At the end of the day, it will also determine the total cost of the project.
The most important thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that people generally tend to either distrust contractors or have problems with them. For instance, almost 40% of people stay at home while builders are there in order to ensure that they’re doing everything right. Almost as many people claim that they had negative experiences with builders or that they are victims of shoddy workmanship.
So, how do you avoid this scenario? Here are several tips to help you out.
1. Ask around
Construction companies (especially construction companies specializing in residential homes) are usually hired locally. This means that they probably have a local reputation that you can research quite easily. Chances are that one of your friends or acquaintances built a home recently, which means that they have either positive or negative first-hand experiences. Sure, WOM is not always 100% reliable but it’s probably the best bet that you have.
Sure, just because someone had a negative experience, this doesn’t mean that the company is bad. Still, this is a major investment and a major life decision, so, are you really willing to take the risk?
2. Ask about previous experience
If you already have a dream house in mind, chances are that it’s based on a real place that you saw somewhere. There’s no better way to find your target construction company than to find out who built the place in question and reach out to them. According to experts behind Bounds Constructions, asking for examples of previous work is probably the best way to see if the company in question will be a good match.
Sure, some would say that the design is a task of an architect but here, you’re looking for someone capable enough to make this plan a reality. What you’re really admiring is not a 3D model or a sketch of a home but the home itself – a construction that someone actually built with their own hands. The first step in replicating this gargantuan success lies in finding out who exactly.
3. Insist on a contract
You need to insist on a contract and make sure that it is as detailed as possible. You need to set an end date and make your contractor accept it. If they see the due date as unfair, they can argue against it and if they manage to persuade you, you can move it further down the line. Bad weather and unexpected occurrences are not valid excuses. They need to be predicted and some room in the schedule left for them.
Approximately 1 in 10 people are conned by rogue builders. Now, the first indicator that a builder is not to be trusted is their reluctance to sign a legally binding contract. This doesn’t mean that the contract can somehow magically protect you from all sorts of shady activities. All that we’re trying to say is that their reluctance to sign (without arguing against a specific point) is never a good sign.
4. Talk about sub-contractors
One of the biggest problems with building a home is the fact that your home builders don’t provide an end-to-end service. What this means is that they’ll work with sub-contractors. Now, let’s say that you’ve vetted a construction company and are satisfied with the results. The fact still remains that you have no idea who else they’re working with.
One thing needs to be abundantly clear from the very start – they are responsible for the sub-contractors. Alternatively, you want to have the list of all the sub-contractors and you want to vet or approve them yourself. This is a much harder thing to pull off (from the logistical standpoint), therefore, it’s better to just make it your general contractor’s liability.
Sometimes, the sub-contractors will be the reason for delays. If you’re trying to wrap it all up or finish some vital works before winter, this becomes even more important.
5. Gut feeling
At the end of the day, it’s incredibly important that you don’t ignore your gut feeling. People are programmed to interpret other person’s stance and their non-verbal communication. So, if you have a bad feeling about someone, it might be best to talk to someone else. We’ve already mentioned that about 40% of people stay at home in order to supervise the crew. This is one of the reasons why. Sure, you can’t afford to be lulled in by false security just because you like someone but having that extra relief sure does help.
Also, if someone tries to confuse you by using too many technical terms or if they avoid giving you straight answers, chances are that they’re being dishonest. While you may not have much experience in dealing with contractors, you’ve probably encountered your fair share of dishonest specialists (plumbers, mechanics, electricians, etc.). The same rules apply.
In conclusion
The last thing you need to bear in mind is that hiring the right home builder might turn out to be one of the best or one of the worst decisions that you’ll ever make. With this much pressure on you, it’s paramount that you do your research and take as many factors as you can into consideration. Take your time, shop around a bit and only make a final decision when you’re 100% sure that it’s the right one.
Author Bio:
Gabriel Hill is an Australian blogger interested in various spheres from home improvement to health and management.
