I am planning to build a new house. What are some questions to ask a new home builder?

Answer 1

First make sure you get bids from every trade involved. {electrical, plumbing, framing, etc.} Give everybody the same info on what you want done, then have each one give you a price. Ask for references from other home owners they have done work for. Most importantly make sure they have liability insurance, if someone on there crew gets hurt and they don't YOU will be liable for the medical costs.

Answer 2

As a 30 year custom builder, I can give you a few hints.

First- understand that the relationship with a builder is not like that with a retail or short-term service purchase; you will be working together for an extended length of time. Nor is it based on an existing product you can see; this is usually a vision on paper. That changes the way you need to go about it.

I will say that picking a builder is the single most important decision you will make in building your house. Do it well, and most of your problems are solved. Do it poorly and you are in for a nightmare that you think may never end. The relationship quality is the key; this is sort of a short-term marriage.

Here's what you want-
(1) Absolutely impeccable character. That means the person's word and self-respect means more to them than a contract. They won't do a bad job, period. This is not the average builder; you will have to do your homework to find one.

How to know? Check not only references- start there, but if those are good, then check sources that should know the builder, such as city building inspection, lumber yards, etc. Also, watch what happens in the interview process. Does this person tell you what you want to hear, or tell you what they feel is possible? Do they listen to your ideas and address your questions directly, or conveniently brush them off? Do they accept responsibility for construction problems, or always assign it to someone else?

(2) Experience. Look at houses he has built before- get a list, knock on the doors, talk to the owners. In person, without the builder present.

(3) Sub-contractors. A good builder will have solid reliable subs, ones that have probably been with him for years. Believe me, they are very important. If he doesn't have a good sub-sontractor team, he will be hard pressed to perform well. He should be able to provide you with a sub list. Call them too.

(4) Look at the payment process he wants. Terms will vary with the builder, bank or mortgage company and other things, but know it's safe and fair before you sign.

(5) Consider the contract terms; legal review is a good idea. If you fail to pick correctly on the integrity issue- you are reliant on the contract. If you have to revert to enforcing the contract, you don't really have much leverage because goodwill is gone. Refer to item (1).

(6) Consider the price. One of the worst choices is to pay too little, it insures you will get a cut-rate job. This is not "you get what you pay for", that is a falsehood. I can give you less than your money's worth and stay in business forever. But- if I start giving you more than your money's worth, I lose money, and I will soon be out of business. Thus the price puts a ceiling on what you can get, but does not put a floor under it..

You need to give the builder enough money to do the job right and make a fair profit. That will keep the ceiling where it needs to be.

Make sure you have selected a builder of integrity and skill. That will keep the floor where it needs to be.

Last- Be fair. Find an expert you can trust; hire the expert- then let him do his job. This will keep your relationship professional and friendly, and the outcome will be a good home as well as a good experience.

Answer 3

Number one thing is to get references - ask for names and numbers of people he has built homes for in the last 3 yrs (going back 3 yrs allows for enough time to have passed for the owners to know if there were any major mistakes made). Then follow up by talking to the homeowners - drive by their houses, and if they invite you to come over and look inside, take them up on it! Ask questions of them: how well did the builder respond to your requests - did you get the house of your dreams or did the builder steer you in directions you didn't want to go, and if so, how did that work out in the long run? Ask if there are things they would change if they could - if you knew then what you know now sort of questions. Ask if the builder had cost overruns that brought the price over the estimate (understand, and ask about it, if the final cost was much higher, that the home owner could have made some choices in amenities that caused the overrun, such as higher grades of cabinetry, countertops, fixtures, a big jacuzzi tub instead of a standard, etc). Finally, was the house completed in a timely fashion, given the estimates and andy unusual weather conditions?

Only after you get satisfactory references should you start talking to builders about placing bids (of course, you'll need a house plan before they can start bidding, but that's another question entirely). Ask at least three good builders for bids, and don't feel that you have to go with the low bidder. Be sure each builder is figuring on the same grade of cabinets, counters, etc.

Good luck!

Answer 4

1.Get a Plan which you are comfortable with and not what the builder likes.
2.The Plan should have the approval of the city developing authority.
3.Get a Time Frame and the COST from the builder as to how long he will take to complete the construction. Write a clause about late and poor construction not complying with the agreement.
4. He must get you the Completion Certificate from the Corporation and the Fire department. and Aviation department
5.Get the details of the materials to be used for electrical, sanitary and flooring and painting Kitchen slabs.
6.Check the steel rods if they are correctly load bearing.Get an independant opinion about the steel requirement from an engineer
7.Have a proper agreement about the wood work.which wood will be used for the cuboards.The water tank and the car parking
8.Check the concealed pipes-- the quality.The concealed wiring--copper, multicore..
9 Make sure the FOUNDATION is correctly laid and the brickwork is done with the correct ratio of cement and sand.
10. Get a drawing of the ELEVATION OF THE HOUSE.
Best of Luck.

Answer 5

Building a home is a major challenge. Finding someone who can transform your vision into reality will result in a new home that will lead to years of security and enjoyment. Selecting the right builder is therefore an important first step, and all prospective customers should be prepared to ask plenty of important questions. The following list of questions to ask your new home builder up-front offers a useful starting point for formulating your own set of inquiries.
·How long will it take to build my new home?
·What is your price range?
·What types of floor plans do you offer?
·How long has this plan been built? Will my home be the first?
·What kinds of amenities can you provide

Answer 6

Make sure everything is finalised on the plan! Upgrades can be very expensive. This is where lots of problems happen and often the contractor is blamed. Always ask for references and remember to check them out not 2 or 3 but 4 or 5. Here are a few things that might help you and are far to many for me to list:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_947/text/0,,HGTV_19176_30055,00.html
If you are in the states make sure to enter their contest you never know.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/homeimpv.htm
http://www.hiringacontractor.com/En/backgrounders/view.asp
http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Contractors/HireCon/default.asp

Be prepared to make regular site visits to keep on top of the job.

Brin

Answer 7

Have a huge, massive kitchen with loads of cabinets and area for human beings to be contained in the kitchen speaking/operating/being mutually, kitchens inevitably is the position everybody gathers. loads of closets and cupboard area. take exhilaration on your new homestead.

Answer 8

Do you have a hammer?