Being a small business owner of a retail flooring store many contractors were clients
. Homeowner were sent in to purchase their flooring. These contractors built good quality homes and never went over budget.
There are a few things that a new homeowner will want to keep in mind when deciding if building a new home is for them.
The first one and maybe the easiest is to talk to people or friends that have had a home built by one or more of the contractors you have in mind. If the contractor has done a good job they will let you know. If he has cut corners or never returns for any repairs this is a bad sign. A good contractor will always address your concerns and reply or fix anything promptly.
Check with several different contractors and always get an estimate making sure that everything you want in your new home is included and in writing. This is very important and insures you will have no surprises when the home is finished. If not the price could be considerably higher and if you are on a budget this may cause problems. Always make sure any changes are presented to you before the builder does anything on his own.
When information is given to you also do your own research finding out if there have been previous problems. Most reputable contractors will have good reviews and if you find one that has many negative reviews this should be a warning flag. Also find out how long they have been in business. One with more longevity will also be more experienced.
When you meet with a contractor let some of your own instinct guide you. Make sure his personality makes you comfortable. If anything feels out of sorts or he says different things about construction that may seem wrong make sure you check into some of these discrepancies. After all he is supposed to be the professional and know the rules and regulations that need to be addressed. If anything is constructed incorrectly, once the house is finished, you as the homeowner may be liable for any incorrect construction.
Usually the last thing that goes into your new home is flooring. You have money in your budget for this. Contractors get a discount for these items and should pass some of the saving to you. Pick out your own flooring making sure you get quality merchandise and not a lower grade. Reputable contractors will not try to substitute any of this merchandise.
In the end you will end up with the home you wanted without any major problems. In this economy you may be able to build a home that you always wanted and also save money in the process. But as stated do some homework and make sure the experience will be pleasing and not a burden.