Start from Scratch and Build

For some of us a place we can eat, sleep and store our stuff is all that matters. To others, creating that special place called "HOME", may need to start from scratch. So what is the best way to proceed?

Building is a huge undertaking. It absorbs your time, finances and can psychologically wear on you. So to make the process a little easier I would like to suggest by selecting the best contractor for your job. And how do you accomplish that? Recently, the Twin Cities Builders Association hosted the Luxury Home Tour and suggested these key questions to make this process a little easier.

First, find a builder creating designs in the style you like, building in the area you prefer to live. After a few visits (yes, tour a couple of their properties) are your finding the staff that greets you helpful, knowledgeable? How about being compatible as part of your "team"?. Remember, you are the employer seeking to hire a contractor that best fits your needs. When you believe you have the right one ask the following questions.

1. Who are the owners of the company? And, how long have they been in business?
2. What is the chain of command and where does the buck stop? Is there a field or site manager and how often will they be visiting the site?
3. Have there been any lawsuits or complaints been filed?
4. How has the resale value of their homes fared?
5. What criteria do you use to select your subcontractors? (yes, almost all contractors have to hire some parts of the job out to a specialist. Electricians, plumbers, hvac, low-voltage technology etc).
6. What percentage of the subcontractors have been with the builder for at least five years?
7. What is your employee turnover?
8. How many customers have built with you more than once?
9. Who will I (the buyer) be talking to when I have a question?
10. Who determines what's acceptable and what's not in terms of quality?
11. If we disagree on quality, how do we work that out?
12. How is pricing determined when I make a change order?
13. When the house is done and we create a punch list, how do I know that your going to fix everything?
14. What kind of measures do you take to prevent future mold growth in the home?
15. Are you environmentally sensitive to the areas around you during construction?

These questions offer great insight to the company's ability to not only deliver you a quality home but are they accommodating (within reason) during the building process and do they offer any kind of customer service not only through the build but for a time even beyond the standard warranty period.

Your home is a great investment - so take the time to thoroughly ask the right questions. Whether you are spending $100,000 or $Millions, make sure you are comfortable because building should be an enjoyable rememberable experience.