Another important step in the home building process is hiring a general contractor, as many people need a home builder with experience to manage the job while they earn the money to pay for the project. You must engage your contractor a minimum of 60 days before you start construction, so he/she has time to get everything ready for the build, although some choose to do it earlier in the process so that the home builder is actively involved during the design process.
The home builder’s main job is to manage the workflow and project materials and make sure everything is happening in a timely and workmanship-type manner.
The home builder’s main responsibilities are as follows:
- Obtain the final permits
- Manage the production schedule
- Source and buy the materials
- Hire and manage the subs
- Keep the site safe and clean
- Manage the inspections
- Manage the budget
- Keep the consumer informed
- Effect quality control
- Problem solving.
When putting your plans out to bid, you want at least three home builders to bid on your project if possible. The trick is making sure you can compare the bids to each other. The surest way to make sure that all bids are assuming the same materials and labor necessary is to specify all the materials required for the project before you put the plans and specs out to bid. Having all these decisions clearly made in the beginning helps to avoid ugly misunderstandings and surprises later in the project.
Choosing a Home Builder
Before choosing a home builder, you must carefully examine three characteristics of the bid, that is cost, craftsmanship and compatibility.
- Cost: The cost comparison becomes plain when the home builders return the bids. You need a clear picture who is working on the lowest margin or who has access to the lowest cost labor and materials.
- Craftsmanship: This part is important in the long term. Look at other houses that the contractors built. Don’t forget to talk to the people living in the houses to find out what problems, if any, they have experienced with their homes. You want to know that the house is built well and will offer you decades of enjoyable living. Also, don’t forget to ask the home builder about his workmanship warranties. Warranties usually last for ten years, but can vary.
- Compatibility: This is the most important aspect to consider, and yet the most difficult to identify. You need to pick the home builder that will work best with your style. Figure out what sort of experience is going to make you happiest and find the home builder that can meet your needs.
Interviewing is also an important step in selecting your home builder. You need to make sure you not only ask the right questions, but also use effective methods to get the answers you want. Here is a list of some interviewing techniques that are guaranteed to help you find the best contractor for your job:
- Let the home builder do the talking. If you’re doing more than 25 percent of the talking, then you’re the one being interviewed. Have a standard list of questions for each interview that allows the contractor to tell you what he’s like to work with and what services he provides. Let the contractor explain to you why he wants this job.
- Let the home builder tell you what he wants. Ask him open-ended questions about his ideal project and the worst project he has ever had. Delve into details about his likes and dislikes, as nothing is worse than an unhappy contractor during the home building process.
- Give him problem scenarios. You want to know how he deals with problem situations. Create stories of nightmare situations and ask him how he would handle them.
You need to have a good building experience to enjoy your home fully when you finally move in. Don’t assume that contractors are all the same. Pick the home builder that makes you feel comfortable and secure and then communicate, communicate, communicate.