I want to know what basic questions need to be asked for selecting the right builder before building my dream home.
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"Can I see some homes you
"Can I see some homes you built?"
prelim questions
I advise you to schedule at least two preliminary face-to-face conversations. Initially you want to get a sense of who the company and the owner of the company is, and how that person handles him/herself. More important than questions is to establish a sense of trust. The time this person devotes to you, the manner in which questions are answered, "character" and so forth, all add up to giving you a "first impression". How are you phone calls treated? Are your calls given the time and consideration you expect from a costly project, or are they hasty, short, and lacking in nuanced details?
You can look at the company web site and visit job sites, but these often tend to be for "showmanship" purposes. Web sites generally tell you little about the "character" of the company. Your best source of information will probably not come from the company itself, but from other sources, such as satisfied (and dissatisfied) customers, local businesses and so forth. You can check with the BBBureau. Remember, human nature is such that we present our best attributes and hide our shortcomings. The honest contractor will not hesitate to talk about his "low points". The important thing is NOT that a low point happened, but HOW IT WAS DEALT WITH. Here are some questions to consider:
QUESTIONS RELATED TO "CHARACTER" AND RELIABILITY: Q: How long have you been in the business? Q: Can you provide contact information for satisfied customers? Q: May I call one of your dissatisfied customers? Here, you are advised to sort through information *in context*. You want to listen to "both sides" and form a fair opinion. Why was this customer not satisfied? How did your company resolve the matter? Q: Has your company ever been sued in a court of law?
QUESTIONS REGARDING PRACTICAL ASPECTS Q: Do you get your jobs done on time? Do you build several homes at the same time? Q: Will you keep me informed about delays, changes in the schedule and other factors that may delay completion? Q: Will you be there to answer my concerns and questions in a timely manner? Q: Do you try to mediate points of disagreement, or do you tend to be "hard-nosed"?
POST CONSTRUCTION FOLLOW-UP: Q: Do you schedule a walk-through, visual inspection 6 months after the job is done and again 11 months later? Q: Do you promise to remdey defects in a timely manner?
Last but not least, read the construction proposal very carefully BEFORE you sign it. If the language is deficient or not detailed enough, offer suggested changes. Make sure you have most "corners covered". The proposal should include a set of prints that show ALL DETAILS clearly and list specifications. For instance, the grade of lumber being used should be specified. You might want to hire someone who specializes in reviewing construction documents. "An ounce of prevention...."
But, really, in the end it is a matter of having confidence in the contractor of choice. This is a big decision; take your time. My company is small, we work intensely on one job at a time. We tlreat our jobs as though we are the clients. We charge well and bend over backwards to please our clients. And the result is a steady flow of work. I wish you a pleasant experience.