You may wish to select your builder early on to get the benefit of an expert opinion on the estimated pricing, lot selection, designs, description of materials, product selections, building specifications and general construction consulting. Planning your custom home will require all the best information you can find. Choose an experienced State Certified Builder.
Choose a qualified reputable builder who has been building in your area for no less than ten years. The experienced builder will know the area landscape, storm drainage, property boundaries, property values, sewer and water locations, electrical power and natural gas availability, traffic patterns, building codes and inspections, and the neighborhood desirability. A good custom homebuilder and his trades will care about the construction of your new home as if it were their own. They should be willing to communicate with you as often as necessary and be willing to offer opinions or suggestions so you can make quality decisions.
Does this builder have good quality tradesman? Ask his previous clients about the contractor’s ability to do a good job. Contractors may not always be perfect, but if they care about their work and care about customer satisfaction the finished work will be up to your expectations.
Ask each custom homebuilder if he will be overseeing the management of the construction site or will his superintendents be running the project? Even if the builder has superintendents, does he at least inspect the job site 4 to 5 times a week? What role does the builder play in the construction of your new home? Will he be the one in control and managing the project?
Will the builder be willing to walk you through the home before certain stages of construction to make sure of the designs and locations of built-ins, electrical switches and outlets, lighting and decorative features.
Be sure the builder is financially sound enough to complete the project. Talk to homeowners he has built custom homes for about how well he had control over the construction project. Can he manage your construction loan draws to your satisfaction?
Ask about his budgeting system; is he fully computerized? Ask if the builder will show you the new home budget. Ask if the builder has a budget vs. cost accounting software designed for custom home-building. This will help assure you that he can stay on budget with his weekly reporting system.
Is the custom homebuilder a professional? Is he a member of the Northeast Florida Builders Association and the National Builders Association? Does this builder practice good building ethics with his clients? Does the builder have a good understanding of the building industry?
Ask a potential builder of their educational background in the field of construction. Do they hold a degree in building construction?
Does the builder’s construction contract give a clear guideline for your building process? Is it thorough enough to cover the worst of problems? Does it cover insurance, change order procedures, warranties, construction time, disputes, financing, builder’s liabilities, budgets, specifications of construction and allowances?
Does the homebuilder have written company procedures and construction manuals? GBN Construction, Inc. can answer yes to all of these questions and will look forward to your interview. We hope you will choose GBN CONSTRUCTION, INC. to build your new dream home. |
