When it comes to building your new home, you have many decisions to make.  One of the most important is choosing your builder.  Doing some light research on your builder by contacting references, visiting past projects and asking questions can make the difference between a nightmare and a dream experience.  Some of the qualities to look for in a builder are longevity in the business, quality of the product, customer service and reputation.  By considering each of the topics below, you will be able to choose the builder that’s right for you.

Longevity:  Look for a builder that has “been around the block”.  With longevity comes experience, expertise and knowledge.  Visit completed projects and projects under construction and talk to homebuyers about their experience. 

Quality:  Any builder should be able to slap a house together, but the quality of material and workmanship make the difference between a nightmare and a dream.  Make sure you ask your builder about the materials they use and the unique practices that make them stand out among other home builders.

Customer Service:  There’s nothing worse than realizing you’ve purchased a defective product without some kind of warranty.  Any good builder stands by their product with a detailed warranty.  Make sure you understand the warranties on the home you are buying to avoid any headaches.  Ask your builder to explain the customer service process and to give you a copy of the warranty to review before you purchase your new home.

Value:  Unless you go to a Custom Home Builder, which is generally significantly more expensive, most builders limit your customization options.  This can be frustrating since every home buyer has their own individual needs and wants.  Make sure you find out from your builder if they allow customization and design flexibility, such as moving wall, adding a window or flipping the footprint of the house.  Also find out about special packages that can be purchased to include upgrades, which can be a much greater value than individual upgrades. 

Tags: How To Choose A Builder

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