The selection of a builder is a major decision and should be approached in a thoughtful, unhurried manner. Hours invested at this point can save months of time later on. At the initial interview, the most important information you will get is not from brochures, resumes or a sales pitch, but from your own intuition.
ASK YOURSELF if you can trust this person to execute plans for your dream home, likely the biggest expenditure of your lifetime. Is there a natural two-way communication, mutual respect and creative energy? Does the builder have the vision to make your home unique and important? Is his sense of the project similar to yours? Will you have fun together and enjoy this experience? Can you work together for 6 months to a year? If your answers are yes, you’ve found the most valuable asset – the right chemistry.
There are a lot of fine quality homebuilders in Marion County, and in an attempt to help you choose the right builder we are outlining some suggestions below.
- The builder should be a member of the Marion County Building Industry Association. This does not ensure quality but most of the builders that are members are professionals with a long-term reputation in Marion County.
- Since you will be working together for several months be sure that you feel comfortable with the builder and that you will have a good rapport with him.
- Ask for references. Get several names of the most recent customers that he has completed homes for. Call the customer and ask for references.
- Visit some current jobsites and look closely at the quality of the workmanship. This will be a good indicator of the quality that you will receive.
- Be sure that the builder has experience in building the type, style and size home that you are building.
- Be sure that prior to contracting you receive complete plans, specifications and a firm price.
- Be sure your builder is a full time builder. He should have a local office, should be well organized and employ an experienced staff. He should also have several years experience in the local market.
- Be sure the builder is the license holder for the firm. (do not contract with any builder who is not licensed). The license is the glue that holds the company together and the builder does not want to risk that license. Many firms use an employee as the license holder. The problem with this is that if a problem arises your recourse is with the license holder. If the license holder is not the owner of the company your avenues of recourse will be limited. You should be absolutely sure that the principal is the license holder. Do not take this for granted.
- Be sure that everything is in writing. This will eliminate the “he said, she said” and everything will be clear and concise.
- One of, if not the most important item, is that when you are comparing proposals from different builders be sure that the comparison is on an “apples to apples” basis. It is very easy to lower the price by using lesser quality material, lesser allowances, omitting some amenities, ceiling height differences, leaving the site conditions open, omitting the permitting, water and sewer or the impact fees and much more. These bottom line variances can appear very drastic but equalizing on the “apples to apples” basis is the only true way to measure the proposals.
- Be sure that your builder is willing to work with you on changes. This is your home and it is your hard earned money and the home should be exactly what you want. Some builders are not receptive to changes and will either not allow them or charge substantial amounts for changes.
- What kind of warranty does the builder offer? We offer an extended 10 year structural warranty.
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