The following thought starters provide insight into the decision process of choosing a builder for your new home or renovation project:
- How much personal involvement will the builder have?
- What is the builder’s flexibility and receptivity to change?
- What might extra charges be for change during construction? How do they handle change orders?
- How accessible, responsive and reliable is he/she?
- What is your intuition concerning their company?
- Is your builder truly interested in your needs and your house or is it just another project?
- Do they belong to the National & Local Association of Home Builders or a builder “Twenty Group?”
- Do they keep up on the latest building technology, new materials and techniques?
- Is all of the business handled in writing, detailed contract, written change orders, warranty?
- Is a complete specification list completed before the job begins? Is it very detailed?
- What are the chances for extra costs to come up at the closing? Allowance overages?
- Is the builder open to a cost plus job or only a firm bid?
- What kind of service and reliability can you expect after the sale?
- Is there a set follow up schedule for any needs after the sale?
- Does the builder utilize the latest energy efficient construction techniques? Are their homes certified under the “Energy Star” program by the EPA and the DOE? Have they had a home certified under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or by the Michigan Green Built program?
- Are all of their homes certified by the Builder’s Challenge….U.S. Department of Energy?
- Do they belong to the Energy & Environmental Builder’s Association (EEBA.ORG)?
- What kind of communications can you expect during construction?
- Will you be involved in decisions as the home progresses?
- What kind of a warranty is provided?
- Have you called and thoroughly checked out their references?
