Having you been thinking it might be time to take the plunge and build a custom home? Before you can start building your dream home, you need to find a custom home builder. You will be working with this person for the next few months, and they will be coordinating your building project.
1. Learn what the builder responsibilities are
The first thing you need to know before hiring a custom home builder is the responsibilities the builder has. Your builder will be responsible for managing and obtaining all the approvals, inspections, certificates of occupancy, and all the subcontractors.
The builder will also track all costs, submit all pay requests for approval to the designer and bank, provide any lien release waivers, prepare estimates, and collect money for any approved change orders. Additionally, they will be responsible for receiving project materials, and managing all building and installation processes.
The building responsibilities can be an overwhelming list, however, it’s important to have the right expectations before starting your project. You can also count on your builder to act as a liaison between the designers, governing jurisdictions, and inspectors, as well as educating you on the maintenance of your new custom home.
2. Make a builder candidate list
You will be living in your custom build every day for years to come, so it’s imperative that you choose the right builder for the job. To make choosing the right builder less overwhelming, make a builder candidate checklist
First, look at the projects they have done that are similar to the size and style that you want. Next, figure out their communication and listening skills. Do they pay attention to what you are saying (this is extremely important), do they ask you questions, and are they concerned about your needs?
After, visit their website to find client testimonials and reviews. This is one of the most convenient ways to see what your experience will be with them. Last, find out how efficient their time and organization management skills are. If your builder has lacking time and organization skills, it will become extremely frustrating during your project.
3. Hold interviews with client references and builders
After you have narrowed down your search with the candidate checklist, it’s time to conduct interviews with the builders and their client references. Make sure to have a list of interview questions ready for the references and the builders themselves. Be as thorough as possible during these interviews.
All the information you obtain from these interviews will only help you in the long run. Make sure to choose a custom home builder that you can trust and that you are confident will meet your needs. To learn more, contact the experts at Adkins Building and Construction.
