The following are the top qualities that you should consider when you evaluate the potential builders of your new home:
Strong Reputation
Check references not only of recent customers, but also of people who have
lived in their homes for a number of years. Poor quality may not be apparent
immediately.
Experienced
A new home is a major investment for you. Make sure the builder has the experience
and qualification necessary to build your home the way you want it. You don't
want someone learning on the job.
Pride of Workmanship
Look for an emphasis on the quality of workmanship and pride in the construction.
Don't make the mistake of going with the lowest bidder. The difference will
be in the materials and workmanship. And watch out for builders who brag about
their speed!
Good Communicator
Part of building a home without having any unpleasant surprises is having
a builder that has strong communication skills. Is your builder going to get
back to you quickly? Is he willing and able to constructively discuss any
issues that may surface while building your home?
Well-Organized
The building process is complicated and involves many different people and
thousands of details. Make sure your prospective builder is well organized
and efficient.
Understanding and Caring
Building a custom home is a dream come true. You've probably spent years thinking
about it. Now you want to work with someone who will take the time to help
make your dream become a pleasant reality rather than a nightmare. You probably
will change your mind during the process and the really good builders will
try to work with you, while controlling costs.
On-Site
Is your builder actually on-site a good deal of the time? Or does he have
six houses going simultaneously and stay in the office while a foreman runs
the jobs?
Trustworthy
You want someone who you can trust. You will be relying on the builder to
make hundreds of important decisions, and you need to be confident that he
will treat you fairly. And do you actually like him? Good contractors are
never pushy, arrogant, or hard to talk to.
Long Term Relationships With Quality Subcontractors
Most builders subcontract out much of the actual building process. The best
builders have strong long-term relationships with their subcontractors. That
is the only way to maintain a high level of quality and service. Builders
who constantly switch subcontractors in search of the lowest price, often
end up with lesser quality and longer building times. Instead of being partners
in building a quality home, the subcontractors see themselves more as mercenaries,
and they lack the pride that is necessary to build a great home.
