| |  | | Searching For Your Builder | When you are ready to begin shopping for a new home, you should shop for a builder as well. Whatever type or price range of home you are buying, the construction quality will be determined by the quality of your builder.
When you look for a builder, you are looking for someone with whom you can communicate and develop a positive working relationship. But the home buying process can be a bit intimidating, especially if you are buying your first home.
Start your builder search process by calling your local Home Builders Association. They can give you the names of reputable builders in this area.
Here are some places to start your search for a builder:
Other New Home Buyers - serve as excellent references for finding the right builder for your new home. Visit homes built in the style that you plan to buy and find out if the owners are satisfied.
Realtors-- know the neighborhoods and can direct you to builders who work in the neighborhoods you prefer and build the styles you want.
Real Estate Section of the Newspaper-- provides information on the builders, the types of homes they build, location and price ranges.
Once you have developed a list of builders research their reputations and the quality of their work. The best way is to visit homes they have built and talk to the owners. Ask the builders on your list for the addresses of their recently completed homes. At the very least, drive by and see if the homes are visually appealing.
When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction, features, the cabinetry, carpeting, trimwork, and paint.
In viewing a home, you must determine whether it lends itself to the type of lifestyle you want to lead. Look at the amount of interior living space and how efficiently the space is used. Find out if the builder is incorporating state of the art energy efficiency features, both in appliances and insulation.
When selecting a builder, be thorough and ask a lot of questions. Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answer verbally, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question because you are afraid of sounding stupid or uninformed. What seems like a stupid question may yield a very important answer. A homeowner should remember to look for certain traits. Following a list of those traits.
1.Location-- Find out and confirm that the contractor has a legitimate business address.
2.Reputation and References-- Ask if the contractor can supply you with any local references. Check out the references; this will give you insight of the contractor?s reputation. Membership in a professional organization shows contractors commitment to bettering themselves through education. Call your local Home Builders Association for a complete list of professionals.
3.Reasonable Contract Terms-- The contract should be written and include detailed specifications of work and materials to be provided; amount; method and schedule of payments; contractor maintenance of? insurance; cleanup and debris removal responsibilities; and any oral promises or guarantees.
4.Warranties-- Determine what is excluded, how long the warranty is valid, and whether it is transferable to a subsequent buyer of your home.
5.Bids-- A written bid is important. Take bids from two or more contractors, and make sure all bids include all the work you want and expect to have done.
6.Knowledgeable-- Since construction is a specialized field, it is desirable for the contractor to have knowledge in the field through formal education or a reasonable period of time working in the field.
7.Deposit-- Put down a deposit of no more than 10 to 20 percent.
8.Certificate of Completion-- Never sign a certificate of completion unless all work is performed to your satisfaction and has been inspected and received final approval from the appropriate city inspector.
9.License-- Some cities require builders to be licensed. Ask to see a copy of their license and call the city?s Building Services Department for its validity.
Buying a new home is probably the biggest and most important purchase you will make in your lifetime. By doing your new home work to select a builder, you will instill in yourself and your family a sense of confidence and knowledge that you have made the right choice.
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