Building a new home is an accomplishment many people cherish for a lifetime. However, choosing the appropriate builder is crucial in order to keep your dreams intact. It is important that you get a homebuilder who is up to the task. There are many horror stories of builders using substandard materials and cutting corners to make a quick buck. There are also builders who are terrible to work with and make you want to abandon your building project altogether simply because you cannot just talk to them. You can make your job easy by using these 3 informative tips. Consider these important points before you choose a homebuilder.
Background Check
Do not be swayed by the banter or friendly personality of a homebuilder. His building credentials is what really counts. The Master Builder’s Association should be able to help you in this regard and tell you if your potential homebuilder has a dodgy track record of complaints or legal actions. When you make enquires ensure that you also ask vital questions like:
1/ Did the builder keep to the budget?
2/ Did he complete the project within the stipulated time frame?
3/ When problems came up, did he deal with them promptly and decisively?
4/ How long has he been in business?
5/ Has he won any awards for his work?
Sometimes the best builder you can get is someone who has been referred to you by a credible source. Ask your Architect or Town Planner for recommendations as they should know some builders who have helped some of their other clients.
Does He Have Insurance
It is a must for a builder to be insured. There are times when building a home can be a risky project and it is imperative that you protect yourself on all fronts. You need to prepare against work related injuries and unforeseen mishaps that might occur on your site. This saves you a lot of legal hassle and distractions that might eventually derail you from your dream house project.
Ensure that you ask the builder for his insurance certificate showing that he is fully covered with liability and damage insurance. Depending on where you are located, this might mean a different name for the insurance cover; confirm the standard requirements with the local Housing Industry Association.
Get an Estimate & Contract
Never agree to anything because you feel you have developed a bond or a high level of trust. Everything is meant to be in writing and this includes the price estimate and contract agreement. Let the builder break down how much it would cost for the cabinets, flooring, lighting fixtures, plumbing fittings and everything else. Once you have this sorted out, pay a visit to suppliers and find out if the prices are realistic or if the builder is trying to cash in on your ignorance.
If price is a problem, you can build a smaller home rather than build a bigger one with substandard materials. A big house with poor taste will amount to a heap of frustrations in future. Besides, the resale value would be badly affected. As soon as you get these things ironed out, ask for a contract.
It is important that you read through your contract and ask questions about things you do not understand. It helps to have a lawyer present to help put you through any complications that you might encounter. It is imperative that you access the contract critically. You do not want to be party to a contract that only favors and protects the builder.
Tweak and let it include things that benefit you as well like, a completion period, an iron-clad guarantee on estimates and alternatives if something unfortunate were to happen to the house builder.